Page 8 of True Fate

“Sure, you didn’t,” he whispered, nipping the heel of her hand with his teeth, dusting his lips across each fingertip. His touch rolled through her like a wave, flooding parts of her she’d feared were long dead.

His gaze dropped to her breasts before slowly returning to her face.

When his eyes met hers, they glowed—liquid honey. “What would you do if I dragged you to my bedroom and showed you what I dreamed of doing back then? I wanted you so badly that summer, but I thought we had time, so I didn’t rush it. We did everything else but what we missed…fuck, we missed alot. I must have been crazy to deprive myself of you.”

“I, that is—” Lainey’s lips parted, her thoughts an absolute scramble.

“Not to sound like an asshole, but I paidattention, something I think most guy miss.” He leaned in, voice rough, waiting for her. Justin had never been the kind to go where he wasn’t wanted, to push when she wasn’t ready. “Even if it’s risky to admit, I’d love like hell to pay attention toyou.”

When she didn’t say no, Justin rose from his chair and rounded the table, his gaze fixed on her as if each step was a decision. When he reached her, he didn’t hesitate, just sank to his knees beside her and pressed his lips to the sensitive spot beneath her ear, sucking gently. He smelled of citrus and espresso, with a faint trace of graphite—an artist’s fragrance she remembered all too well.

His gaze, heavy-lidded with desire, dropped to her lips. His hand curled around her hip, pulling her closer, his body trembling with repressed need. “I always wondered why we waited. Hell, I think it was my idea. I made you come, but never while I wasdeepinside you.” His voice roughened, low and sure as he lounged like a lion before her. “What would you do if we decided the wait was over?”

“Let you,” she whispered, leaning into his touch. “I’d let you.”

His hands rose to cradle her face, thumbs sweeping her cheekbones as he lowered his mouth to hers. “Good answer.”

chapterfour

Bitter Sweet Symphony–The Verve

JUSTIN

As Lainey settled against him,the past roared into Justin’s mind while the present roared into hisbody. Anger simmered beneath the surface, the staggering realization that he still had feelings for her.

Naturally, everything involving Lainey Prescott was as tangled and turbulent as before.

She’d pushed him away for reasons that, as an adult, he finally understood. Reasons with apurpose. Honorable, in their own heartbreaking way. Nevertheless, he could only negotiate with his need. Keeping him on his toes, this blind hunger unlike any he’d experienced.

And he’d tried, industriously, to forget her.

Now, he wouldtake.Give. No debating, no mourning over the goddamn past, no talking himself out of her. Fate didn’t matter, not when this was likely to be nothing more than a fleeting, sensual second in time.

Decided, Justin threaded his fingers into her incredibly adorable hair, tilting her head, and guiding her lips to his. They parted on a sigh, and he nearly melted at the thought of the whimpers, the pleas, themoanshe could draw from her.

He hungered for her like he’d never hungered for anyone in his life.

He only wished this realization didn’t scare the shit out of him.

Drawing back, his gaze roamed her face. Stopping time, as if he could. A strip of sunlight rolled over her, gilding her hair in gold and deepening the flush on her cheeks. When she opened her eyes—her sexiest fucking feature—they glowed, sultry, exotic, and as gray as smoke.

He dusted the curves of her body with his fingertips, recording the changes time had wrought. The girlishly thin tomboy had given way to the alluring woman standing before him. A wave of unexpected longing surged through him.

He’d missed watching her grow up—and she’d missed watching him.

Cradling his face, she stirred against him, and he leaned to adjust for their height, bringing them hip to hip. He groaned, the sound low and rough, his need sharp as his cock hardened against the button fly of his jeans. Her heat seeped through the thin fabric of her running shorts, and he imagined stripping them off, dropping to his knees, andfeasting.

“Whatever you’re picturing, do it,” she whispered, her tongue tracing the curve of his bottom lip.

“I will,” he promised, then slanted his mouth over hers.

This was going to happen. Fate had reunited them. He’d known it from the moment she walked back into his life.

His heart knew it, anyway.

His head wasn’t so sure.

Her palm skimmed down his back, fingers slipping into the frayed hole at the waistband of his jeans, teasing bare skin. The touch sent fire licking along his spine.

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