Page 51 of Loved

"My reaction was bad with the detectives too. I'm pretty sure I threatened to kill them."

I laughed. "Wait, really?” I said, even though I’d seen the whole thing. “You can't threaten a cop, Penny."But I’mdamn proud of you.My hands slid up her waist, pushing up the hem of her shirt a bit. I loved the feeling of her skin beneath my fingers. And I was ready for my makeup sex now. I was thinking right on this counter.

"I know that now."

I laughed again. "You're full of surprises."

"Am I?"

"Mhm." I placed a soft kiss against her lips. My hands slowly pushed her shirt up even more. Yes, I loved the feeling of her skin pressed against my palms. But I loved her breasts filling my hands the most.

"Would it surprise you if I told you that alcohol tends to make me incredibly horny?" she said.

"Incredibly horny? That's quite the predicament." I grabbed her ass and lifted her up, setting her down on the kitchen counter. I wanted nothing more than to partake in my new favorite dessert. But… I put my hands on either side of the counter and stared at her. Everything about her was a contradiction. I knew her. And yet…she never ceased to surprise me.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"You defended me to the detectives even though you doubted me."

"Of course."

"But why?"

"I'll always defend you. I love you."

I lowered my eyebrows. I think that was the whole problem. I was still getting used to feeling loved. Because I’d never felt it before. She was choosing me. Always.

Like when she’d grabbed my hand at her parents’ house. And when I woke up yesterday before our meeting with dean and she was still lying next to me. She had my back. And I wasn’t used to it. The only person I could everreally count on before was Rob. And half the time he wasn’t in the country.

"I swear to you that I didn't do what they said. I've been completely consumed by you. All I ever do is think about you."

"I know,” she said with a smile. “I've been completely consumed by you too."

I smiled too. "I can't believe how lucky I am.” I leaned closer to her, my lips stopping a fraction of an inch from hers. “Now, about that predicament. I think I can probably assist you with that." I grabbed my t-shirt by the nape of the neck and pulled it off.

She ran her fingers down the line of my abs.

I still felt that spark of electricity run through me every time we touched. I thought it might go away once we didn't have to hide our relationship anymore. The sneaking around, the excitement, the forbidden dynamic. But it was still there. And I wasn't sure that I wanted it to ever disappear. I knew for sure that I’d never grow tired of her calling me professor in that sexy way she always did.

I leaned forward and kissed her. Softly at first and then more passionately. She clasped her hands behind my neck as I pulled her ass to the edge of the counter. Now it was time for dessert. She’d been so good with those detectives. And now I was going to reward her. Well, reward both of us. Because I couldn’t stop thinking about her delicious cunt.

Her phone started vibrating in her pocket.

She unwound her hands from my neck and grabbed her cell.

"Don't answer it." My lips drifted to her neck. I wanted to bruise her skin again. I wanted her to go to class and for people to finally know it was me that had marked her. I pressed my lips against her neck harder.

"But it's probably Melissa." She turned her head away from me so she could see her screen. "She's here."

"Maybe you should tell her to come back." I kissed down her neck and across her clavicle.

"James, she walked here." She put her hand on my chest.

I sighed. "Her timing is impeccable." I leaned down and grabbed my shirt as Penny slid off the counter.

Her phone buzzed again. "She's at the front desk. They told her we weren't here."

I laughed. "Oh, right." I pulled my phone out of my pocket and called down to the front desk. "Is there a Melissa down there asking to come up?" I put my hand over the receiver. "Is her last name Monroe?" I asked. I was pretty sure Ian had mentioned Melissa’s last name to me once. I was a pretty good stalker, but Ian was much better.

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