Page 120 of In Your Wake

What I need to say clutches at my throat as if desperate to stay in. “We’re starting over,” I croak, the words barely audible.

“That isn’t true either.” His big, hopeful green eyes search mine, demanding the truth.

Damn it, Max! Tell him how you feel!

“Rebuilding our friendship will take time,” I answer, chickening out.

“This isn’t about friendship.” He releases my hand, but I keep it pressed to his chest. He pulls me closer, laying his lips on my lower stomach. I hear him take a deep inhale. “Let’s not pretend that we’re looking to be friends. I know what you want here.”

I force a swallow, then the words. “And what is that?”

Peeking through his dark lashes, he looks up at me, his eyes full of desire.

“We’re both hurting and want to feel something. Anything.”

He kisses me softly along my stomach. Even through the satin dress, the warmth of his lips on my skin is so intense I wish there wasn’t a barrier of fabric between us.

“We both need to feel wanted.” He slides his mouth over, kissing my hip. “To feel important.” He lowers his face, kissing right above my core and whispers, “To feel trusted.”

With the lightest touch, and enough pressure to bring out goosebumps on my skin, he moves his hands down the backs of my thighs to my knees, then inches my skirt up. His fingertips stop right below my ass, tickling my sensitive skin.

“Don’t you want to stop fighting? Don’t you want to give in to whatever this is?” he asks, kissing my stomach, squeezing my backside hard. “Because honestly, right now, everything feels out of control. And I want to forget about it all. If only for a little while, I want to lose myself in you.”

I’m not stupid. The friend I loved so much it hurt, who left and took my heart, is gone. I realize that. But somehow, I need this new person even more. And like he said, I want to lose myself in him, too. When everything around us seems so temporary and fleeting, at least I know I can trust this.

I hitch up my skirt, then plant my knees on the chair, on either side of his thighs, and straddle his lap. A strange wave of understanding connects us from heart to heart as we stare at each other, taking this in.

I run my arms around his neck, pulling him into my embrace, resting my lips at his temple and sigh with such shaky emotion it sounds more like a moan.

He swipes his lips, soft as velvet, along my collarbone. I unbutton his shirt and slide my hands underneath, relishing the warm, solid feel of his skin. Then, I wrap my arms around his waist, kiss his neck as his pulse throbs against my lips.

He relaxes, and grips my hips, then slides me closer, letting me feel exactly how much he wants this.

That old, familiar reassurance, the sort I only knew with him, rushes through me. The comfort folds around me like his powerful arms do.

Mitchell Adams has always been so much bigger than me. Literally. His mere presence is intimidating. But beneath me, wedged between my thighs, it’s as if he’s surrendering. The delicate way his fingers dance along my back summons so many emotions; my eyes brim with tears.

And then our mouths meet. With the slant of his lips to mine, he grants me permission, and I slip my tongue over the seam with a moan. It’s a kiss unlike any other. Intimate as if I’ve kissed him a thousand times, but unknown as if it’s for the first.

The reasons why this chemistry between us is converging now are inexplicable. It’s not the best timing, and doesn’t make any sense, but I surrender to it, unable to pull away.

I shove his shirt off his shoulders, then bring my mouth down to sink my teeth into his firm muscle and press my palm against his erection, earning his growl. He grips a fistful of my hair and tugs my head back, meeting my gaze with his needy, volcanic one that transforms my desire into a helpless craving.

“Touch me,” I beg.

He slips his large hand beneath my dress and into my underwear, cupping me. A wicked smile spreads across his face.

“Like this?”

I bite down on my lip and nod, then rock back and forth, rubbing against his hand. The burning desire I’ve felt over the past few weeks ignites, and I shut my eyes, allowing it to consume me.

A torrent of thoughts surges within me, but I’m determined not to stop. I’ll dissect our dysfunctional relationship some other time when my body isn’t so desperate for relief.

Mitch sucks one of my earlobes into his mouth, the sweet sound of his moan tickling my ear, prodding my common sense.

Slamming down onto his hand, I ride his palm the way I can imagine riding his cock. I’m all too willing to keep going, to let my orgasm take over, but I also don’t want to go through this alone. I need him to share this heat.

I reach down, undo his belt, then work the button of his pants. I pull his thick cock free, gripping it firmly enough to make him hiss.