Page 15 of Beneath the Scars

And I stand on my toes, bringing my mouth close to his.

Our lips hover less than an inch apart, our breaths huffing out as we stare at each other. Everything inside me begs him to take the next step because as much as I need to kiss him, I can't take that final step. There are too many loud voices in my head to allow me to throwallcaution to the wind.

If it isn't for the fact that his eyes are zeroed in on mine, I'd be worried that he's staring at the fine pink lines radiating across my face. And if his chest wasn't heaving with the same suppressing feeling mine is, I might be freaking out that he's just pretending, maybe as some kind of pity thing.

But even with those signs, all the harsh words, all the taunts and jibes are still too loud to allow me the freedom to let go and give in to the kiss.

The tension between us builds and builds until it's a palpable thing you can feel and touch in the room around us. I'm about two seconds away from giving up and stepping away so I can run back to my room to lick my hurt pride when Byron's hands wrap around my waist and pull me flush against him just before his mouth descends on me.

Hungry lips battle with mine, demanding my submission. My arms wrap around his neck, my fingers diving into his thick, soft hair as his tongue delves into my mouth, coaxing a soft moan from me.

Strong fingers dig into my ass, encouraging me to wrap my legs around his hips, which allows me to feel how much he'snotpretending.

Byron pulls away, breathless, resting his head against mine. "Fuck," he groans. "You taste even better than I imagined."

I have to say, I agree. My blood roars, and my entire body is itching with a need I've not felt in a long time.

That's a lie. I've never felt anything even close to this.

"Don't stop now," I urge, smiling as he chuckles at my needy tone.

"Lily, sweetheart. Not a chance. The only way I can stop right now is if you tell me no."

His sweet words and using my sister's old nickname for me touch me more than anything has in a long time. Enough to give me the courage to initiate the next kiss.

Byron moans into my mouth as he walks us to the bed and carefully lays me down.

My breath, already coming out in hurried pants, hitches at the hunger in his gaze.

Chapter Thirteen

Byron

It'simpossibleforherto taste any better than I imagined, yet she does. The feel of her soft, delicate body against mine is more fantastic than anything I could ever have dreamed up.

The enticing flush lighting up her face wakes a hunger that almost scares me, and the yearning in her eyes undo me in a way I can't describe.

And I haven't even moved past first base yet.

I'm aching with need, the press of my zipper against me a painful reminder of how quickly this woman is undoing me.

Somewhere in our kiss, I got rid of the ridiculous ponytail, and now I'm rewarded with the beautiful halo of long, luscious curls surrounding her. My fingers ache to run through, grip, smell, and just luxuriate in the feel of it.

"From the moment I allowed myself to look at you, I've been waiting for this. Hoping against everything that we'd end up here, even though I was pretty sure you hated my guts."

Her beautiful face lights up with a smile as a surprised laugh escapes her.

"You were an arrogant asshole who acted like the world owed you everything." One graceful eyebrow arches at me as I shrug and smirk in response to her accusation.

"You're not wrong. I'd apologize, but I have a feeling you wouldn't believe it anyway. I get a little focused on my job and don't always play nice with the locals," I say as I hover over her before leaning down to nip at her lower lip. "But I'm more than happy to play nice with you."

The sweet, somewhat shy woman underneath me growls as I continue to tease her, and I'd be an idiot if my pride didn't get a boost from her reserved personality showing a need, a hunger for me, too.

Nudging her thighs apart, I settle myself between her legs, giving her just enough of my weight so my need for her is just as apparent to her before my hands settle on her waist. Eager to find skin, I pull at the shirt and get it untucked from her black slacks.

I keep a careful eye on her face for any signs of her mind changing as my fingers finally feel the soft touch of her skin. She moans as my hand moves up her stomach and reaches the bottom of her bra.

Lily huffs out, arching her back to bring those two luscious mounds closer to me. Giving in to her silent request becomes my next mission. With my mouth teasing at the soft skin on her neck and the quiet promise of my body against hers, I distract her enough to get her buttons undone so I can get rid of the cream button-up shirt that is way too utilitarian, but yet somehow the sexiest thing I've ever seen on anyone.

---