Chapter 69 (1/2)

“I’m not forcing you into anything here, am I?” I have to ask.

“No,” she breathes. “I know it’s a terrible idea, but I don’t want to stop.” I nod. “I need an escape from everything; please distract me.”

“Shut your mind off. Stop thinking about all of the other shit and focus on this.” I run my fingers along her neckline, and she shivers under my touch.

She catches me off guard and presses her lips to mine. Within seconds the slow, unsure kiss vanishes and is replaced by us. The timid gestures evaporate, and suddenly we are in our own place. All the other bullshit’s gone, and it’s only me and Tessa and her lips crushing against mine, her tongue making hurried swipes across my own, her hands in my hair, tugging at the roots and driving me fucking wild.

I wrap my arms around her and press my hips into hers until her back reaches the mattress. Her knee is bent, lifted, level with my crotch, and I shamelessly rub myself against her. She gasps at my desperation and removes a hand from my hair to bring down to her own chest. I could burst at the feeling of having her under me again—it’s too fucking much, yet not enough, and I can’t form a thought aside from her.

She touches herself, gripping one of her large breasts, and I look down like I’ve forgotten how to do anything else except stare at her perfect body and the way she’s finally letting loose with me. She needs this even more than I do. She needs the distraction from the real world, and I will gladly serve in that role.

Our moves aren’t calculated—pure passion is fueling us. I’m the fire, and she’s the damn gasoline, and there’s no sign of stopping or slowing until something is sure to explode. I’ll be waiting then, ready to fight the flames for her, keeping her safe so she doesn’t get burned by me, again. Her hand travels down her body, and she grips me, rubbing her hand over me, and I have to concentrate not to come from her hand alone. I shift my hips, resting them between her parted legs as she tugs at the waistband of my shorts. I tug at hers with one hand until both of us are naked from the waist down.

The groan that escapes her lips matches my own when I rub against her, skin to skin. I shift slightly, entering her partially, and she groans again. This time she presses her mouth to my bare shoulder. She’s licking and sucking at my skin as I push farther inside her. My vision blurs as I try to savor every second of this, every moment that she’s willing to be with me in this way.

“I love you,” I promise her.

Her mouth stops moving, and her grip on my arms loosens. “Hardin . . .”

“Marry me, Tessa. Please.” I push my cock inside her, filling her, hoping to catch her in an unfair moment of weakness.

“If you’re going to say things like that, then we can’t do this,” she says softly. I can see the hurt in her eyes, the lack of self-control she has when it comes to me, and I instantly feel guilty for bringing up fucking marriage while fucking her. Great fucking timing, you selfish asshole.

“I’m sorry. I’ll stop.” I assure her with a kiss. I will give her this time to think, and I will lay off the heavy shit while I’m thrusting in and out of her hot, wet—

“Oh God,” she moans.