Pretend You're Mine(41)

His hand lingered on her hip, his touch scorching her through the thin cotton. “I’m going to go grab us some towels, okay?”

Harper nodded. Maybe a few seconds apart would help her regroup. She had never been this nervous or this excited about being with someone. This was probably a mistake. She made a lot of them. But she had never wanted to make a mistake this badly before.

If she didn’t calm the hell down, she would have a heart attack before he touched her. Water. That’s what she needed. A nice glass of cold water.

She hurried into the dark kitchen and filled a glass from the tap. Maybe Luke would want a beer. She opened the refrigerator and lost her train of thought when he entered the room.

The only illumination in the room came from the open fridge. Luke kicked it shut and prowled towards her.

Cornered against the L of the cabinets, Harper had nowhere to go. He caged her in, resting his hands on the countertop on either side of her. The rain pattered on the window over the sink. It was the only sound in the house.

He stepped in closer. An inch from her face. She could feel his breath on her hair, her heart pounding unevenly. It was going to happen. There was nothing she had ever wanted more. And that scared her.

The what-ifs flew out of her head as Luke raised his hands to her face. He gently pushed her hair back over her shoulders. He rested his fingertips on the back of her head. His thumbs gently traced her jaw line and lifted her face towards his.

“I don’t have a condom,” he whispered.

“I’m on the pill,” Harper said, shifting under his touch.

She was drowning in his hazel eyes. She saw need and want and something deeper, like pain, in them. It went straight to her heart. Harper parted her lips. It was an invitation to fill and be filled.

Gently, reverently, Luke lowered his mouth to hers.

Thunder boomed outside in the darkness and Harper felt it travel through her.

His lips were warm and soft as they moved against hers. She sighed and opened her mouth to him. He moved his hands to cup her face, changing the angle of the kiss. His tongue met hers and all gentleness was gone.

He swept into her mouth again and again until Harper lost her breath. Her hands dove into his hair, trying to pull him closer. Luke stroked his hands down to her thighs, and back up under the t-shirt to her hips. He lifted her effortlessly and she found herself perched on the edge of the countertop, shirt bunched around her hips. Luke pressed her legs open and stepped between them, never breaking contact with her mouth.

She hitched her legs over his hips and yanked him closer.

“What changed?” She whispered it against his mouth.

“Nothing.” His voice was gravel in the still of the kitchen. “I just want you more than I want to stay away from you.”

Harper felt the hard length of his shaft through his jeans. His tongue swept into her mouth again as his hands climbed up her sides and under the shirt. She felt herself quiver as his exploration paused under her breasts. She moaned again and moved her hips to rub his hard-on against the damp fabric of her bikini bottoms.

His rough palms slid up to cup both breasts and Harper drew in a shaky breath. She wanted more. Everything he could give her. Her breasts felt heavy with need. “Luke, please.” His thumbs brushed over her already-aching nipples, and Harper’s head fell back against the cabinet, breaking contact with his mouth.

He yanked the shirt up to her shoulders, then over her head. Their gazes held as he tugged on the tie around her neck. The strings tumbled free, but the triangle cups held their position for a moment. The heaving of her breasts was enough to dislodge the fabric and as the cups peeled their way off of her skin, Harper heard something close to a growl rise from Luke’s throat. He was trying to be gentle, but she could feel the beast beneath ready to break free.

She wanted him free. Wanted him wild.

She braced herself on one arm and cupped her breast with the other hand. “Take it.” Still controlled, he lowered his head slowly, those eyes riveted on her face. She knew he was questioning her, knew how important control was to him.

“Take everything.” She squeezed him tighter with her thighs and leaned back to give him access.

Those soft, skilled lips closed over her nipple and Harper felt her breath leave. Delicate little muscles deep inside pulsed, demanding to be stroked. He groaned as he suckled her. Strong tugs that gave so much pleasure and a hint of pain. His hand moved to cup her other breast. She could feel his erection against her. He wanted her. He needed her. Harper reached down between them, to the waistband of his jeans. Using her heels she bucked and shoved his pants and underwear down his thighs, freeing his straining cock.

She grasped him firmly and he groaned against her breast. Eyes closed, he sucked her nipple harder, his tongue lashing it in a fierce rhythm. Harper felt her other breast yearn for his mouth.