And all I am is a stranger to Monroe. If he shows this much kindness and protectiveness toward some girl he just met, what must he be like when he loves someone? I can’t even imagine.
“I think I’m tired,” I say. “And that bed sounds nice.”
He tilts his head, clearly surprised. “Yeah?”
“But if you really turn out to be a serial killer after all, I’m going to be so pissed.”
“Just because it’s your birthday, I’ll keep the carving knife and plastic sheets in the closet.”
I smirk and give in to my urge to touch him, tracing the curve of one dark eyebrow. “And I know you’re being noble—gold stars for you, by the way—but I think I want to kiss you again, too.”
His lips curve. “Is that right?”
“You have no idea.”
His hand slides to the back of my neck. “Well, who am I to deny a birthday girl her wish?”
I let him draw me down to him, and my lips part easily for him this time. Even in a few short hours he feels familiar in the best way possible. He feels right. The kiss is slow at first, like the lazy lake water lapping at the shore behind us—a gentle, caressing dance. His hand threads into my hair, and he’s in control, moving me where he wants me, taking the kiss deeper. And I’m falling into it, the warmth of his body, the feel of his mouth, the taste of him. I want to drown in this.
I find myself shifting more on top of him and sliding my knee upward. His free hand catches the back of my thigh and draws me onto him fully. I straddle him and don’t care that we’re in a public park. He groans into the kiss and now both his hands go to my hair. We’re drinking, drinking, drinking from each other. All the stress of my day, all the worries of tomorrow, all the concerns of a few moments ago seem to drain from me, the scary stuff sloughing off and leaving only this minute behind. This really spectacular minute.
I press myself fully against him, and my body tightens at the brush of his erection against me. I want to reach down and feel him against my palm, feel if his skin is getting as hot as mine. But I know if I do that, there’s no turning back. So I satisfy my need to touch by running my hands over his shoulders, his sides. My fingers find the edge of his T-shirt, and I let them slip beneath it and trail along the firm muscles beneath.
The groan from him this time is louder and he pulls back, his head landing against the grass. He’s out of breath. So am I.
“I think we need a time-out, princess. I’m not that noble.”
I splay my hands over his chest and push upward to get some space between us, but I don’t climb off of him. “Neither am I.”
“Natalie . . .” His tone holds warning.
“Why did you take me out tonight?”
A little wrinkle appears between his brows. Whether it’s from the subject change or the question itself, I can’t tell. “Because I wanted to. I like you.”
“Okay, but why? I was kind of a bitch to you.”
“No, you were—are—feisty, and I’m into that. I like women who aren’t afraid to say what they’re thinking. Polite girls bore the shit out of me. And I could tell you weren’t going to let me get away with anything. I’d have to work for it.”
I process that. “So you like a challenge.”
“I do, but I wasn’t looking at you like some prize to win or anything. Just thought we’d have fun together, if I could get you to let your guard down a little.”
The answer affects me more than he probably realizes. He likes that I’m a challenge. He likes that I talk back. “You know why people like me?”
“Same reason?”
“No, they like me because I’m really good at doing what’s expected of me. I’m responsible. I’m practical. Nice. You don’t have to worry about me being unpredictable. I do what I’m supposed to because I’m way too concerned about what everyone thinks about me. But the minute you picked me up today, that seemed to fall away. I didn’t have this need to impress you.”
He gives me a wry look. “Gee, thanks.”
I shake my head. “No, it’s not like that. It’s just . . . I didn’t need to put on some mask. You saw me, the unedited, not-so-polite side, and liked me anyway.”
He lifts my hand from his chest and kisses my palm. “Is that bad?”
“No, it’s not. It’s very, very good.” I lie down again, bringing my face close to his. “Because no one’s ever taken the real me to bed, and I’m thinking it’s way overdue.”
His blue eyes widen. “What?”
I shift against him, settling myself along his body. “You’re going on a road trip for the summer because you want to, because it will be fun and an adventure. You aren’t worried about anyone else’s opinion. It’s your whim.”
“Right,” he says slowly.
“I want you to be mine.” I let my hand drift between us and cup his erection, loving the sound he makes in the back of his throat when I do. Never have I been so bold. I don’t make first moves. I’ve been the nice girl behind closed doors just like I have been in the rest of my life. But right now, all I want is a whole lot of bad. “Take me home, Monroe. And to hell with sleeping on the couch.”
Chapter 6
Monroe
I’ve never made it home so fast in my life. All those traffic laws I agreed to follow earlier this afternoon? Yeah, well, I got her home safe, that’s all that counts, right? But now I can barely get my key in the door. What the fuck? I’m like a damn teenager again, getting ready to cop his first feel.
This isn’t me. I’m the guy who keeps his cool. Women are great, sex is fantastic, but I’m not one to get all urgent about it. We’ve got all night. But I’ve got no fucking shot at slowing myself down and acting like a normal human being.
The minute we’re inside the door of my house, I’m grabbing for Natalie and pushing her against the nearby wall. She’s been rubbing that body up against mine on the ride over here, and I’m about to combust. My mouth crashes against hers, and my hands reach for her thighs.
She doesn’t fight it. She wraps her legs around my waist, letting me lift her up, and is kissing me back just as hard. I press her against the wall and her nails score my scalp, the resulting tingles going straight to my dick. I want to swallow her whole.
And happy day—I think she wants to devour me right back. Whatever reins she’s been holding on to have been cut. She’s letting go. And I get the feeling this might be the first time. I can’t wait.
I pull back for half a second to grab a breath. “Tell me you’re sure.”
Her eyes are dilated, her lips puffy. She’s fucking gorgeous. “I’m so sure.”
My fingers dig into her thighs, my restraint on a weak tether, and she winces. I soften my grip. “Sorry.”
She shakes her head. “No, I like it. I want . . .”
She rolls her lips inward, and her gaze skates away. Old fears are obviously creeping in. I tighten my hold on her. “No, princess. You want me to fuck you? Then tell me how you want it. No room for being scared right now.”