Page 100 of Delicious Surrender

“Your place is a construction zone. I’ll take you home after we talk.”

She huffed. “I hate that you know my business!”

“You seem to forget this is a small town. Everyone knows everyone’s business.”

He came around to open her door. She was struggling to unclip the seat belt, then turned pleading eyes to him. “I’m stuck.”

Gage put his foot up on the running board and leaned intoher space. “I do enjoy seeing you like this. Trapped and unable to escape.”

Up to this moment, she never understood what romance writers meant when they described the hero giving the heroine a smoldering look. She knew it now because she was melting under his gaze. She licked her lips—whether it was inadvertent or because her body was inviting him to kiss her, she couldn’t say. Gage stared at her mouth for what felt like an eternity. His thumb caressed her bottom lip, then pulled her mouth open slightly. She closed her eyes, thinking a kiss would follow, but it didn’t. His warm breath tantalized; his fingers spread over her cheek and held her there, just below her ear. He nipped her bottom lip and then licked it. Lips brushed lightly across hers but were gone as she lifted her chin in a silent plea for more.

When his hand encircled her neck and tilted her head, her eyes flew open and met his.

“Do you want this?” His eyes pinned her in place.

“Yes.” Her voice squeaked.

The word “please” was lost when his mouth met hers. His hand moved to cradle her head and his tongue sought entry, darting in and out, until she moaned and grabbed onto his shirt to pull him closer. His tongue played with hers, gently at first and then harder and deeper. She met his ferocity with her own until he stopped and withdrew, just out of reach. A flush of satisfaction warmed her at the sound of his ragged breathing. He was just as aroused as she was.

Suddenly, he unclipped the seat belt and pulled her forward so he could hoist her over his shoulder.

“Oof!” It knocked the wind out of her, but that didn’t stop her from wriggling and playfully pummeling his backside.

A hard smack hit her bottom. “Stop squirming or I might just fuck you over the hood of the car.”

She was still trying to catch her breath and had no snappy comeback.

Gage headed into the massive country kitchen and put her down on the counter. He spread her knees and stepped in between. Brynne put her arms on his shoulders and entwined her fingers in his hair, which had grown past his collar since she’d last seen him. He allowed her to kiss, lick, and nibble his mouth while he pulled her jacket off and started on the buttons of her blouse. With three buttons to go, impatience drove him to rip the shirt open, sending the little pearls flying. Brynne gasped when he spread open her blouse and yanked it partway down her arms. He moved in to kiss her neck and drew the straps of her pale pink bra off her shoulders.

Into the crook of her neck he drawled, “Did you wear this for Logan?”

“Maybe I did.”

He pulled back and stared at her. “How many dates before you send him packing?”

“Thought I might keep him around. He looks like good boyfriend material.”

“Ha!” he barked. “He is as vanilla as they come. You’d be bored in a week.”

“How do you know? Have you slept with him?”

Gage suddenly leaned back and grabbed her wrists. “Don’t think I will tolerate this impertinence. For once, are you going to do as you’re told?”

Brynne grinned impishly and fluttered her eyelashes at him. “What do you think?”

“I think by the end of this night, you will understand what obedience is. That is, if you don’t run home.”

She giggled nervously. “I’m not afraid of you.”

“You should be.” He smiled so wickedly, her stomach did backflips.

He dragged her arms behind her, holding them pinned against her back. Heat blazed from his eyes. “I’ve warned you enough times what I expect, yet you continue to play games.”

Brynne pressed her lips together and stuck her chin out. “You hate me. How can you want this?”I need the answer because I should hate you, but I can’t deny this unquenchable need.

“My cock doesn’t care if I hate you. Now is your chance to leave, because if you stay, I’m going to take everything I want from you until I’ve had my fill.”

The truth was Brynne had never wanted anything so badly. But she couldn’t bring herself to submit completely. “I won’t surrender willingly. I want you to make me.”