I can smell him. Feel him. We've been close to each other before but not like this. Never like this. The first time was an accident and had turned into an opportunity-a rushed opportunity that had ultimately ended in utter disappointment.
I don't want to risk that again. I don't know if I could survive it again.
But I want it. I want him.
"You look so damn beautiful tonight," he whispers, his rough voice sending a scatter of goose bumps across my skin.
"Thank you," I say because I don't know what else to do. I crack my eyes open to find he's moved even closer, one hand braced against the wall, the other still touching my face. Tilting my head back, I meet his gaze, my lids flickering when he strokes his thumb across my lower lip.
"It's taking everything inside of me not to just give in and kiss you," he admits gruffly, his hot eyes roaming over my face, then dropping lower, settling on my chest. I can feel my ni**les tighten beneath the silk fabric of my dress and I'm suddenly achingly aware of what little clothing I'm wearing. No bra, no panties . . .
My dress is the only barrier between Matt's hands and my skin.
God, I want that. I do. I want to feel his hands roam all over me. I want his mouth on mine, I want his mouth everywhere. I'm tired of resisting him, especially when he so clearly wants me as much as I want him.
For once, I'm going to be bold. I want to see what he does when I invite him to do exactly what he wants to me.
"What's stopping you? We've already kissed before." I reach out, slip my fingers down the length of his black tie. I can't believe I just said that. I can't believe I'm touching him though really I'm only caressing his tie. Big deal.
But I can feel all that hot, hard strength beneath his shirt, the beat of his heart, the scent of his skin. Relief floods me. We've been dancing around this attraction, especially the last few days, and it feels like we're finally giving in. Again.
Well, I've been dancing around it. He always seemed mostly oblivious to me.
Maybe he isn't. If his current behavior is any indication, he definitely isn't.
"I'm stopping me. Or at least I should be," he says, resting both of his hands on my waist as he steps so close, our legs tangle, our chests brush. I hold my breath, waiting for what I know will be a totally disappointing conclusion to our conversation.
He doesn't say anything at all. Instead, he lowers his head, his mouth settling on mine, softly. Sweetly. His kiss obliterates everything, all of my thoughts and worries and concerns, until I'm consumed by the sound and the feel and the smell of him. He surrounds me, overwhelms me, and when he thrusts his tongue deep inside my mouth, I'm lost.
And only Matt will be able to find me.
When he breaks the kiss to slide his mouth down the length of my neck, his low, sexy growl makes my insides flutter. He sounds like he's barely keeping himself in control, and I reach out, wrapping my arms around his neck, burying my fingers in his hair like I enjoy doing. His hair is so thick and soft, the strands cling to my fingers, and I feel like I can't get enough of him.
The way he's kissing me makes me think he can't get enough of me either. His mouth returns to mine and devours me. The kiss so hot, wet, and deep, I feel completely and utterly consumed.
I love it. I want more. I cling to him, mold my body to his and wish he would slip his hands beneath my dress. I want to witness his discovery that I'm wearing no bra, no panties, no nothing beneath it.
I have a feeling he'd be rather pleased with that revelation.
"Jesus, Bryn, you feel good," he says when we come up for air. His hand is roaming, rising from where it rests on my waist to slide up, over my ribcage to rest just beneath my breast. He pulls away slightly, catching sight of my ni**les pebbling painfully beneath the silky fabric of my dress, and he lifts his other hand. Traces the deep V neckline of my dress with his fingertip, his touch feather-light as he brushes my skin, causing skitters to rush across it.
Sighing, I close my eyes, savoring his bold, yet delicate touch. He slips his hand beneath the fabric, covering my right breast with just his fingers and makes a rough sound of pleasure at finding me braless.
His calloused fingers play with my nipple, driving me crazy with need, and I drop my arms from around his neck, arching into his touch as I keep my eyes tightly closed. I'm almost afraid to look at him for fear he'll abandon me once he realizes what we're doing.
And then he's kissing me yet again, his hands moving up to cup my face, holding me still. I want to melt. His thumbs brush across my cheeks, his touch gentle, the way he cups my face almost as if he . . . cherishes me. No man has ever held me like this, kissed me like this before. I wrap my arms around his waist, clinging to him, whispering against his lips please don't stop, don't ever stop, when he stills. Lifts his head from mine and cocks his ear toward the window.