Smiley(65)

He just stared at her. She caved under his steady gaze.

“It’s kind of confusing because they are nuts but it seems they think you guys are going to figure out a way to make an army of New Species and enslave the world. Or kill everyone. Maybe in that order. Did you ever see…” She shut up. “Never mind.”

“Did I ever see what? Talk, Vanni. We should have no secrets. You can say anything to me.”

“Fine. You know those horror movies where apes take over the world? I think they watched them too many times or something.” She cringed. “Sorry. I totally don’t want to offend you because I don’t think that way. You’re an amazing person. I don’t share their beliefs. It’s stupid. They are just idiots. Everyone knows New Species can’t even have kids.”

He looked away and his gaze drifted around the room. He finally looked at her again, glanced down at her stomach and then closed his eyes.

“Smiley? I’m so sorry.” She felt bad. “I shouldn’t have said that. It’s just that it was the only reference I thought of. Really. Please don’t be angry at me.”

He opened his eyes and stared at her. “I’m not angry. I promise. I could never be angry with you.”

“You’re upset.” She didn’t believe him. “You’re primate, right? That ape reference was just unforgivable. I’m so sorry.”

“I’m not upset.”

“I would be. I should just shut up. You make me nervous. I’m making a mess out of—”

“I want to kiss you.”

That silenced her. She was flabbergasted.

His gaze fixed on her mouth. He moved in closer, his body almost touching hers. “Let me kiss you, Vanni.”

“I…”

She wasn’t sure what to do or say. He didn’t really give her a chance to come up with a response. His mouth descended over hers. She closed her eyes and was amazed at how soft his lips were. His tongue swiped her lower one and she gasped. He used that opening to deepen the kiss.

Smiley took charge of her mouth in a way that left her grasping his shirt just for something to cling to. He pressed tighter against her until they were chest to chest and she was pushed against the yielding couch cushions. The passion he hit her with left her reeling when he suddenly stopped. He pulled away a few inches. She opened her eyes to stare into his. Her heart hammered and she panted as if she’d just been jogging. She was speechless but he wasn’t.

“We have chemistry. You do know me, Vanni. Stop thinking and just feel.”

He went for her mouth again, cupping her face with one of his hands to keep her in place. She didn’t fight but instead closed her eyes again and welcomed his hot mouth meeting hers. She opened up to him without any urging the second time. There was no gentleness in the second kiss, more of a raw hunger. She met it. Her body did remember him and yearned to be touched.

He seemed to know it since his free hand firmly gripped her thigh and slid higher. The cotton shirt rode up over the back of his hand as he used his thumb to stroke her thigh, inching up. She moaned against his tongue and he rumbled in response. He broke the kiss and they stared at each other again.

“Spread your thighs wide and scoot your ass to the edge of the couch.”

She glanced down and realized how high her shirt had risen. She released him and grabbed for the hem, trying to shove it down to hide her exposed pussy. Smiley moved faster, releasing her thigh and face. He captured her wrists before she could recover her modesty. He shook his head.

“Don’t hide from me.”

“Let go.”

“We’ve shared sex but I’ve never seen you here. It was too dark to enjoy the sight before. Spread open and show me.”

“You’re seeing. All you have to do is look down.”

He slowly shook his head. “Not enough. I want to see all of you.”

“I’m not taking off my shirt.”

“Put your hands up and hold the top of the couch.”

“Why?”

His smiled. “You know what I want to do.”

She shook her head. “I don’t.”

His eyes narrowed and his expression grew somber. “How many males have you known, Vanni?”

“Two.”

“Didn’t you ever show them your sex? Didn’t they ever want to spread you open and appreciate you?”

She swallowed. “No.”

He emitted a deep, sexy rumbling sound.

“Why are you making that noise?”

“I’m turned-on. I rumble. It’s a good thing. We’ve shared sex. Share this with me. Let me see you, Vanni. I know how you feel here because I’ve been inside you. It was the best feeling I’ve ever experienced. Reach up and hold the top of the couch. You will enjoy me seeing you.”