Page 74 of Stone
His sigh was heavy and he backed away, letting me go. I was certain he was pulling back into the locked box he always headed into the second he was challenged. He ran a hand over his jawline, studying me with the same intense eyes. Neither one of us knew where to go from here.
There were too many ghosts holding us hostage.
How many haunted moments had I felt over the last few days? How many questions had formed in my mind with no answers? How many nights had I wanted to invite him into my bed if for no other reason than to have him hold me?
And how many times had I wanted to talk about sharing a future together? Too many to count. I took a step away, leaning down to collect my bikini bottoms. Now I felt the heat of embarrassment.
A slight yelp escaped my throat when he lifted me off the sand, cradling me against his chest. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“I can’t do this any longer, Stone. I don’t have anything left inside. Either you want me, or you don’t.”
“I should let you go. I should stay away from you, but I find myself glued to you, craving you. All I can think about is being with you.”
“What are you saying to me?” The words were barely audible, the harsh whisper all I could manage.
“I’m saying that I’m not done with you yet.”
Whereas our hunger had been off the charts before, every moment of passion rough and eager, as he turned me around, I sensed his hunger was controlled. He cupped both sides of my face, allowing his eyes to dart across mine with fine precision. While he knew me, had explored every inch of my body, the stark piercing gaze was more soulful. Perhaps he was searching for answers as I’d done with him.
He edged closer and I gripped his forearms, tilting my head as much as his possessive hold would allow. “I don’t want this to be over.” Admitting my true feelings hadn’t been my intention, but my heart told me too much time had passed, too many secrets kept between us.
The way his fingertips brushed across my face was also different than before. “Then we won’t let it be.” He lowered his head slowly, holding his lips only centimeters from mine.
“I’m afraid.”
“Of what?” Stone seemed surprised.
“That you’ll end up hating me.” I wet my lips as he slipped one hand under my hair, squeezing my neck.
His chuckle was seductive even as his forehead creased. “That’ll never happen, baby.”
“Why are you the perfect man?”
“I’m far from perfect,” he stated, his voice low and husky. “That’s what I’m afraid you’re going to discover, and then you’ll hate yourself.”
In my eyes, he was the perfect man and that had been the problem. No man had ever been able to hold up to the standards he’d established so long ago.
“Never. Please, kiss me. Just kiss me.”
“Oh, Dani.” He dropped his head all the way down, skimming my lips with the tip of his tongue.
“I want this. No, I need this. Don’t stop. Just please don’t stop.”
After he cursed under his breath, he captured my mouth, holding our lips in place as I pressed my palms against his chest.
Whether or not this was life altering was yet to be determined, but I knew what we were sharing was no longer a casual fling or a need to rekindle memories from the past.
As expected, every inch of my skin was tingling from his hold. At that moment I wanted nothing more than to study him, to use the spectacular shimmer of sun along with my artistic talent so I could capture every inch of the man standing in front of me. I wanted to capture his essence, his brawn and prowess for all eternity.
Because I knew once he learned what I’d done, the painting would be the only thing left of our time together and the love that had never died.
CHAPTER 20
Stone
I had no business falling into temptation, allowing my primal needs to overtake any concept of common sense. I’d meant what I’d said to her. Dani deserved much better than the man I’d become or the limited acts of emotion I’d be able to express.
There was so much baggage, so many broken promises and most belonged to me. How could she want me the way she did or even consider trusting me again?
