Page 97 of Danger

"Winnie."

She exhales. "I know we can’t—I just?—"

I cut her off, gripping her chin hard enough to leave a mark. "Is this really what you want?"

"Yes." Her voice barely carries. "Only if it's what you want."

A rough laugh leaves me. "Ireallyfucking want this. I've wanted this a hell of a lot longer than I should have.”

She searches my face. "Since when?"

I look away for half a second, jaw tight. "I don't know the exact day. Since you started coming around the ranch, started working at the bar. When I realized you were all grown up. Mouthy as hell. Stubborn. Sexy as fuck."

The corner of my mouth lifts. "I tried like hell to fight it."

Her lips part. "Really?"

"Every time you walked into that bar..." I huff a laugh. "I'd tell myself to quit lookin'."

I brush my thumb across her bottom lip. "Never worked."

“But I’m not exactly your usual type," she says.

My mouth finds her neck, biting down just hard enough to make her understand. "You’re not. You’re too good for me. And this might ruin you."

“Ruin me,” she moans, arching against me. There’s no holding myself back any longer—I yank her panties down, letting them slither to the floor. I slide her shirt up to reveal those perfect fucking tits. My mouth latches on, sucking hard enough to leave bruises, my tongue flicking and rolling over her nipples until she lets out a broken whimper. My teeth mark her, possessive, branding, because I’m already too far gone.

"Oh fuck," she whines when my mouth drags up her quivering thigh, hot and wet, tracing the glistening trail of herarousal like I’m desperate for it. I can’t get enough of her sweet taste, my lips and teeth sink into her inner thigh, finding every drop I can.

“I love the way you taste,” I say, finally kissing her where she needs me. One of her legs hooks over my shoulder, her heel digging into my back as I devour her like this was dessert all along. I don’t stop until her thighs are shaking, until her fingers are knotted in my hair, yanking, begging for more.

"Danger—" Her voice cracks. "I want you."

Every muscle in my body goes still.

“You sure?” My voice comes out rougher than I intend.

She nods. That’s all it takes. One hand slides to her waist as I step between her knees.

“C’mere, sweetheart.”

Before she can say another word, I lift her off the counter. She lets out a surprised laugh, her arms wrap around my neck.

“Where are we going?”

“What?” I grin, carrying her down the hall. “You think I’m letting this happen in my kitchen where my son can walk in?”

Her smile grows against my shoulder.

My chest feels too damn tight. Because this isn’t just about wanting her. It’s about finally letting myself be with the woman I haven't been able to stop thinking about.

When we reach my bedroom, I set her gently on my bed.

“Don’t move.”

I cross to the dresser, slide open the top drawer, and grab the box of condoms I bought months ago—the just-in-case box I never thought I'd actually need.

Yet somehow, I kept it anyway.