Page 71 of What Doesn't Kill You…

Catnip.

She was so addictive he was in danger of forgetting his priorities in order to spend time figuring her out, touching her, being with her.

She made a little mewling noise as she wriggled against him.

"You're touching me," she accused half-heartedly, in a husky sleep-filled voice.

He stroked a hand down the curve of her back. "You're sleeping on top of me again," he told her.

"Huh," she grunted before wriggling once more. "How'd you get under me?" As though it was his fault they'd ended up in this position.

Max smiled. "I wish I knew. When you're home, do you sleep in a bed or climb a tree at night and lie on a branch?"

"You're a funny guy," she mumbled, her lips moving against his throat.

The movement turned into her rubbing her mouth against him, and then he felt her press kisses to his throat. Max stopped breathing. His hands stilled on her body as he waited to see what she'd do next. He didn't have to wait long as her fingers threaded through his hair.

"I like your hair," she said, a seductive whisper.

He cleared his throat. "It needs cutting."

"Don't," she ordered as she nuzzled his ear with her nose.

His hands clenched on her back. Every touch, every movement she made, sent little sparks of electricity skittering through his body. When teeth nipped at his earlobe, he sucked in a breath.

"Vi," he said, because he couldn't let this go on much longer without asking. "What’re you doing?"

She shifted, brushing against an erection that was painfully hard. Pushing up on her elbows, either side of his head, she looked down at him. Her face was shadowed in the darkness, and her hair fell around them like a gossamer curtain.

"I thought I was seducing you," she whispered. "Am I?"

The sweet vulnerability in her voice sucked the air out of his body. He clasped her hips, holding on tight.

"Oh yeah," he said. "But have you thought this through? Are you awake enough to know what you're doing?" The words were agony to get out.

She considered her response for an eternity.

"Yes," she said at last before closing the distance between them and pressing her lips to his.

It was the first time she'd initiated a kiss, and it was perfect. There was no hesitation, no confusion, only Violet's lips exploring his with torturous slow touches that stole his sanity.

But…

"Maybe we should talk about this?" he said when she paused.

Her body tensed against his. "No."

"No?"

She let out a little annoyed huff. "You talk too much. And that's useful sometimes. But there's a time and a place for it, and now isn't it. There's only one question that needs to be answered."

"What?" he said, afraid of what she might say.

She pulled back, putting a little more distance between them. He didn't like that at all.

"Max," she said, sounding unsure. "Do you want me?"

"Yes." The word was out before he'd even had time to think about it.