Page 31 of Taking Sides

Is he thinking about that kiss earlier too? It’s basically all my brain can process. Which is unfortunate because it makes it hard to also come up with conversation topics.

He seems content to sit in silence, so I let myself get lost in the memory of his big hands on my face. They were so gentle and firm at the same time. Nothing about him is overbearing or possessive, but when he kissed me, I felt like he was in total control, and his intentions were crystal clear. He wants me. I think I’m still wrapping my head around that. This gorgeous, shy man wants me.

My skin tingles with awareness. I want him too.

“I’m sorry.” His voice is low and apologetic. “I know I’m really bad at this.”

“You’re not as bad as you think.”

He quirks a brow as if he either doesn’t believe me or would like me to explain how I could possibly think that.

I set my soda on the coffee table and then angle my body to face him on the couch. The movement has my knee brushing against his leg. His gaze drops to the contact. I place my hands on his thigh. He tenses for a second, then without taking his eyes off me, sets his drink on the table too.

He’s into me. I can see that now, but I don’t know how to move us past this awkwardness.

“I have an idea,” I say. It’s either the best or worst one of my life.

He still doesn’t move as I lean forward, bringing my face inches from his. He truly is the most handsome man I’ve ever seen. Those blue eyes are bright and wholly focused on me. His Adam’s apple bobs.

“You like me, right?”

Conrad nods, stare dropping to my mouth again. It’s an intoxicating thing to have his quiet attention. There’s still so much I want to know about him, but I don’t need all the answers right now.

“Then how about we skip talking and you just kiss me again.”

I swear there’s a hint of relief on his face as he closes the distance between us. His hands come to my face again, and his lips press into mine. This kiss is less demanding than earlier, but goose bumps still pop up along every inch of my body. My fingers rest on his hard chest. The heat of him seeps through the thin fabric of his shirt and that quick, steady thump of his heartbeat makes my own pulse race in unison.

“Talking is overrated anyway,” I say as I climb fully onto his lap. I try not to sit directly on his dick, but somehow manage to do just that. He lets out a pained groan as a throb pulses in my core. That was not intentional but wow.

“Sorry.” I shift, so I’m not rubbing up against him—though that’s exactly what I’d like to do.

“No. It’s . . .” His eyes close, and he groans again. His hands drop from my face to my waist, and he pulls me back onto his hard length.

I inhale a sharp breath and rest my forehead against his. A pleasant warmth pools low in my stomach.

“This isn’t why I came over . . .” His voice is rough and skates over my skin, sending another jolt between my thighs.

“I know.” I roll my hips as he sweeps his tongue into my mouth. I pull back. “Do you want to stop?”

He shakes his head. “But I should warn you that I’m probably not very good at this part either.”

A small laugh slips from my mouth. “Impossible.”

Then we’re kissing again. His fingers slip under the hem of my tucked shirt, and I slide higher on his lap. The thin material of my pants lets me feel every sensation as he slowly moves me over him. The ache builds, and our tongues tangle with a frantic edge.

Moments pass with us grinding and kissing and neither of us pushing things forward. I’m the first to break. Conrad is far more patient than I am. This isn’t what I imagined for tonight either, but now that he’s here and kissing me, I wish I had.

“I have condoms in the bedroom.” My mouth is on his again before he can answer, but I feel the slight nod of his head.

With some (a lot) of effort, I extract myself from his lap and stand between his legs. The way he looks at me is intoxicating, but he still says nothing.

I take one of his hands and pull slowly. “Come on, handsome.”

He does more of the work than I do, getting him to his feet. I walk backward as I lead him down the hall to my bedroom. My pulse races, and my heart is beating so fast with anticipation.

I don’t bother flipping on the overhead light, but there’s enough glow coming in from the moon that I can see the flush on his cheeks.

When we’re standing beside the bed, I lightly push him down onto it. He’s far too graceful and in control to be caught off guard, but he sits anyway.