Page 53 of Forever Only Once

Cross took a step back, only a small one so his hand could still cup my face, his mouth remaining close to mine.

“I like doing that,” he whispered.

“I like you doing that. I think we need to do it again,” I whispered. My eyes widened. “You make me want to say anything. I’m not always like this.”

Cross tilted his head, running his hand over my hair. “I don’t know about that. You’ve always said what you think when you’re in front of me. And you did let me sit down the first night we met. And when you text me, you always call me out on my bullshit. I think that person’s always been in there. I like the fact that you’re showing her to me.”

I looked up at him, a smile playing on my face. “I like that. It’s a good thought. Is it true? I don’t know. But I’d like to believe it’s true.”

“I should go now,” Cross said, his voice low, but his eyes never leaving mine.

I swallowed hard. My hands weren’t shaking now, but my voice was. “What if I don’t want you to go?”

He studied my face, and I wanted to run my hands through his beard. “Are you sure you’re ready for that?”

I licked my lips. His gaze moved with the motion. My nipples tightened, and my pulse raced. From just one look.

“I let you into my home, Cross. I don’t think any other action or word would be a better example of what I’m ready for. Don’t go. Not yet.”

I wasn’t usually this forward, this…dare I say, brazen. And I liked it. I liked who I was when I was with Cross. I enjoyed how I felt when I was without him, as well. As if he’d unlocked something within me that I just couldn’t grasp. I loved it.

“I’m going to kiss you again.”

“You have my permission to kiss me as many times as you want.”

“Good.”

And then his lips were on mine. This time, I let my eyes close and I sank into him, my hands trailing up his back, gripping his shoulders as his mouth devoured mine. He seemed to want more, and I wanted more, too. I needed more.

His lips trailed along my jaw, and I let my head fall back so he could kiss my neck, leaving shivers of sweet temptation all over my body.

My knees shook, and he led me towards the couch, slowly backing me up so my butt was against the back of the sofa, his mouth on mine.

Somehow, my jacket was on the floor, and my eyes were still closed. I wanted my mouth on his and my hands on his body. He was just so strong, so hard and broad.

Everything about him was muscle and strength. A man who knew exactly what he was doing with his hands.

“You taste amazing,” Cross said, his fingers brushing my hair behind my shoulders.

“Really?” I had no idea what I was saying, I only knew that I wanted his hands and mouth on me. I wanted to hear his growl of a voice.

I just wanted him.

“Really. Now I want to taste you everywhere.”

I should have blushed. I didn’t. Instead, my hands went to the bottom of my shirt, and I pulled it up. His hands went to mine, stopped me for a moment. For a second, I thought maybe he didn’t want this, that I was moving too fast. Instead, he kissed me again and helped me lift my shirt over my head. I stood there in my shoes and slacks and a bra, feeling far more naked than I actually was.

“Beautiful,” Cross said, and then he moved to my breasts, kissing them, molding them. When he undid my bra, my breasts fell heavily into his palms. I reached back to hold onto the couch, my head tipping back. He laughed, kissing and gently biting.

He moved from one to the other, his body close to mine, hot, heated. I wanted more of him, but I loved that he was taking over, and I could just be.

I didn’t know many other people I could do that with.

And then he dropped to his knees, and I swallowed hard, my legs shaking.

“Let me,” he said. He took off my shoes, and then his hands were on my pants.

“Ready?”