Page 29 of Ice Covered Heart

“I protected myself before,” she whispered.

Damn straight, she had.

“I was terrified, I was in pain, and I survived.”

He leaned toward her, helpless to stop himself.

“But it’s nice to have backup this time.” Husky words. So soft. “Very nice. It’s nice to have you with me.”

You have me. Done.

“This isn’t part of our contract.” Her voice had gone even huskier. “But, uh, Hunter, will you kiss me?”

His heart nearly exploded right out of his chest.

“I feel safe with you,” she added in the sensual voice that seemed to stroke right over his skin. “I don’t feel safe with a lot of people. This is a very rare situation.”

“You will always be safe with me.” He’d sooner cut off both arms than hurt her.

“Will you kiss me?”

She’d asked twice. She should never have to ask twice. His mouth lowered. Pressed to hers. Softly. Carefully. A gentle kiss.

When he wanted to plunder and take.

Not. With. Her.

His head lifted.

She quirked one eyebrow. “That was sweet, but I’m pretty sure you can do a lot better than sweet. You look like the kind of man who knows how to kiss well and passionately.”

He’d been holding back, trying not to frighten her with his need.

“Come on, Hunter. Treat me like you would someone you didn’t think was as fragile as glass.”

He blinked.

“I put on my sexiest gown, I dabbed on my perfume, and I came down here to see you…My knees are shaking together, and I asked nicely. I wanted to see if the heat would be even more intense when we⁠—”

He kissed her again. He’d basically stopped understanding words after…

I put on my sexiest gown.

She’d done that? She’d come down the stairs trying to seduce him? Cute. Unnecessary, but cute. She seduced him by breathing.

So maybe the kiss wasn’t as gentle this time. If she wanted harder, if she wanted more passion, then he’d let the beast off its chain.

Her lips were open, and his tongue drove inside. Her taste maddened him, and, greedy bastard that he was, he had to take and take, and his hands slid around her hips, curling against the silk of her gown. She gave a little moan in her throat, and wildfire exploded through him. The kiss became frantic. Voracious. She kissed him back with desperate passion. Her hands grabbed his upper arms, her little nails digging into the fabric of his t-shirt.

He lifted her up, and her legs curled around his hips. His dick shoved against her. Hard and eager, and he wanted in. He wanted in. In. In. He wanted to slam into her over and over again. Endlessly. He wanted her to come around him. To keep coming until she could barely even breathe his name.

His mouth tore from hers. His breath rasped out. Hers heaved. Her eyes were wide. Full of need.

Hunter knew his own face had to be brutal with his desire.

He surged across the den with her in his arms. Every touch and every glide of her body against his just pushed Hunter closer and closer to the edge. Once he went past that edge, there would be no returning. He’d take her. Keep her. Claim her.

Forever.