Page 29 of Lilacs and Leather

My spine straightens of its own will, and I try to hide the hitch in my breath at his tone. I feel my pussy clenching, wetness pooling in my panties. My chest is tight as I sit under his stare, trying to reel my thoughts back in.

“Well, isn’t that interesting,” he purrs, eyes raking slowly up and down my body.

My nipples tighten, his gaze like a phantom touch on my heated skin. I pant a little, a shiver running down my spine as our eyes connect again. His pupils are blown wide, a narrow strip of blue barely visible around them. My dreams were nothing compared to the heady, drunk feeling of breathing his scent in such an enclosed space. My clothes feel uncomfortable against my skin, and I feel the sweat pooling in the hollows of my back and cleavage. He lets out a long breath, closing his eyes. When he opens them again, his gaze is shuttered, this new smile tight.

“No, not tonight, but not because you don’t deserve it,” Rhett says, turning back to face front.

My heart flip-flops in my chest at his words, but I can’t help but pout as I turn around as well. I stare out the window for the ride back to my apartment building, trying to get my body back under control. I scold myself thoroughly, shame at my reaction to him sitting sourly in my gut. One look and I was just about ready to jump across the center console and climb him like a tree, like some kind of desperate idiot. I grow increasingly sullen, and by the time we pull up to the curb in front of my building, I’m ready to bolt. I open the door and climb out the moment Rhett puts the car in park. I hear him calling my name, but I grab my bag from the floorboard and slide out without looking at him.

I’m at the front door, my hand on the handle, when I’m spun back around by my elbow. I gasp as I find myself inches away from Rhett’s chest. My eyes are wide with surprise, and I look up at him. I open my mouth, an apology on the tip of my tongue, but then one of his hands is cupping my jaw, tilting my head up as his lips collide with mine. I freeze for a moment, eyes still open in shock, but he presses a little harder and my resistance melts away.

His other hand moves to my hip, holding me against him as my hands come to rest on his hard chest, my eyes sliding closed with a little moan. He growls at the sound, and my stomach dips and toes curl. He pulls me to my tiptoes, the hand at my jaw sliding back to card into the hair at the base of my skull. His lips are soft, moving against mine with delicious insistence. I gasp as he moves forward, pushing my back against the wall to the side of the door, and he slips his tongue between my parted lips. He tastes like whiskey, smooth and warm, making my head spin. I fist my hands in his shirt and break away, gasping for air. His lips travel to my ear, kisses trailing with his movements. His beard is soft, but the scrape against my skin makes me shiver.

“Do not think for one moment, little one, that I don’t want to give you what you desire. Because I do, probably more than is wise at this point. But what I’m going to ask from you in return will require you to trust me, and me to trust you. And that will take time. Do you understand?” Rhett breathes, his lips brushing the shell of my ear.

I whine at the sensation, eyes closing as I press my chest closer to him, nodding frantically. He chuckles, kissing me lightly on the side of my neck. The hand on my hip tightens, and Rhett pulls his face back to look me in the eye. His hand leaves my hair and takes my chin between his thumb and finger. I open my eyes, finding him smiling at me. My chest is heaving, but I feel myself coming down from the high of his kiss, even as my skin prickles at his touch.

“Patience, little one,” he says, pressing a brief, almost chaste kiss to my lips.

I frown, slumping back as I fight against the storm of disappointment and anticipation in my chest. He chuckles, shaking his head a little.

“Good girls don’t pout,” he says, releasing my chin to tap the tip of my nose with a finger.

I bite my lower lip at the stern edge to his tone, and I feel a pulse in my core at the heat in his eyes. I want my first reaction to his silent scolding to be defiance, but the settled feeling in my chest returns as I give in and drop my playful pout. I’ll have to think on that reaction later, when I’m not wrapped in this alpha’s whiskey-and-leather aura.

“Would it be too much to ask for one more kiss before you go?” I ask hopefully, looking up into his face.

His smile is practically incandescent as he looks down at me. “Since you asked so sweetly,” he says, pressing his lips to mine, turning my knees to jelly.

We pull away, and I giggle, feeling lighter than I have in months. His smile widens at the sound, his scent strong with dark chocolate and whiskey.

“Well, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow at Wila’s, sir,” I say, moving to open the door.

“Lydia,” he growls, and I turn back to him, surprised by the heat in his tone. His gaze is molten, and I clear my throat.

“What? Lucas said it,” I murmur, scuffing my feet.

“Lucas is a brat, and his behavior should not be emulated if your goal is to be rewarded,” Rhett says, words laced with both challenge and warning.

I squeak a little, and nod rapidly, earning a rumble of approval from deep in Rhett’s chest. And why does that sound make me want to do a happy dance?

“Goodnight, Lydia. Sweet dreams,” Rhett says, stepping back from the stoop.

I feel another rush of wetness in my core as I whisper my farewell, practically sprinting into the building and up the stairs before I can cave and show him exactly how sweet my dreams have been since I met him.

Twelve

Lydia

“Wake up, little one,” Rhett’s voice purrs in my ear, and I moan at the sound.

I feel his warmth at my back, one arm snaking under my neck and across my chest, the other sliding along my waist and pulling me back against him. I feel his hard cock against my ass and moan, rolling my hips against it. His chuckle is dark, breath hot against the side of my face. I tip my head back, eyes closing as I try to shift my hips against his length. Each brush of his fingers sends lightning across my body, goosebumps rising over every inch he touches.

“Patience, little one. All in good time. But first, I need to taste you,” Rhett says, kissing my neck lightly.

The hand on my waist drifts down, ghosting over the patch of curls between my thighs. I lift my leg, hitching it back over his hips to allow his hand better access. I gasp as the pads of his fingers brush feather light against my outer lips. My heart is a wild thing trapped in the cage of my ribs, and my whole body throbs with its frantic beating. Every place where Rhett’s body touches mine burns, the heat spreading with each passing moment.

“So eager, already dripping for me,” Rhett coos, and I smile under his praise.