Chapter 8
Rowan
I don’t move a muscle. If I do, Grace’s precious virginity might be taken right here in my kitchen. I was doing a great job not thinking about her in any sexual way. That was a feat, considering I’d spent days fantasizing about her in just about every erotic scenario. Then, she goes and kisses me. My defenses don’t stand a chance after this.
“You’re making this really hard for me,” I murmur.
She misunderstands my statement because she pulls away and sputters out an apology.
“I-I’m so sorry.” Her cheeks are crimson. “I shouldn’t have done that, attacked you with my lips without permission. Dick move.”
I feel my lips twitch. “I wouldn’t call it an attack and I didn’t say I don’t like it.”
“Oh.”
Lifting a hand to trail a finger over her lush bottom lip, I tell her, “I told myself I’d keep my hands off you, Grace.”
“Because I’m too young for you?”
“Hell yes, you are.” I stare at her mouth, just begging to be kissed. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t want you.”
“I... want you, too.” The way her lashes flutter down to hide her eyes and her skin flushes a little more reminds me of her innocence. I’m probably the worst man for her. But she’s pure temptation.
“Well, if you insist on giving me a taste, who am I to refuse?”
She gasps when I yank her stool closer to mine, her eyes widening as my head lowers. Lips hovering near hers, I tell her, “I’m no Prince Charming, Grace. Don’t get any ideas about romance and forever.”
She makes a little sound—somewhere between a snort and a sigh. “That’s the last thing I want.” Her eyes slide away from mine, and she pulls her lower lip between her teeth.
I sigh inwardly. It didn’t take me long to discover that Grace is the worst liar. Still, I kiss her because I can’t resist at this point. I’m gentle at first, getting a feel of her, savoring her taste. She tastes amazing—like the beer she was drinking mixed with that intoxicating flavor of innocence. It takes every ounce of my self-control not to claim her right here on the counter.
A few seconds later, I delve deeper, devouring her mouth like I’ve been dying to. Her movements are hesitant, unpracticed, and I love it. I’ve never been turned on by lack of experience, but Grace makes me feel new things.
One hand bunches in her hair and the other cups her nape, holding her in place for my punishing kiss. Maybe if I give Grace a little taste of my more... darker desires, she’ll run for the hills and save herself.
A whimper escapes her when I snag her bottom lip between my teeth and tug. Not hard enough to hurt her, but hopefully enough for her to think me too rough for her liking. Pulling away to gauge her reaction, I find her staring at me with glassy eyes and dilated pupils.
“Wow, Rowan. I’ve never been kissed like that before.”
I grit my teeth. She likes it. Maybe a little taste isn’t enough to scare off. “Upstairs. Bedroom,” I tell her, getting up and lifting her off the stool in one go. Setting her on her feet, I turn and march off, expecting her to follow.
Grace’s footsteps are close as I walk through the living room. I glimpse Ember curled on the rug under the coffee table, fast asleep, before I turn up the stairs. Grace is quiet, but she still follows. As much as I want her, I hoped she would have found my gruff order rude and told me to fuck off, to make resisting her easier for me.
She follows me all the way to my bedroom and when I turn to her, she almost runs into me. That excitement is still there in her eyes. Let’s see how long it’ll last.
“Take your clothes off and lay on the bed,” I command.
Grace eagerly does what I say without hesitation, and I frown. She should at least be eyeing me with a little wariness by now. Tugging my shirt over my head, I whip my belt off and drop my pants, watching her intently for any sign of her doubt.
I pause when she climbs onto the bed in only barely-there black panties and lays in the center. Propped on her elbows, she watches me with wide eyes. I take her in from head to toe and back up to linger on her breasts.
Sweet mother of God.
She’s flawless. I’ve always appreciated curves on a woman and Grace has them in all the right places. Full breasts, flared hips, thick thighs, and I’ve already admired her nicely rounded ass from every angle before tonight. Blinking, I get back on track with my mission to show Grace that she doesn’t really want her first time to be with me.
Without a word, I flip over onto her stomach. Her gasp echoes in the room. I roughly tug her panties down and sit beside her. “I’ve been dying to spank your luscious ass, Grace.”
She glances at me over her shoulder. “What?”
Her sharp intake of breath is heard over the sound of my palm connecting with her soft flesh. Just enough to cause a slight sting. Grace’s jaw drops.
“Oh my god, you just—”
I give her two more slaps and smirk. “Spanked you? Yes, this is the kind of thing that turns me on.”
I wait for the disgust to show on her face. It doesn’t. Instead, her lips part and her breathing quickens as she stares at me. The excitement in her eyes that I thought would diminish only grows.
For heaven’s sake, she likes this, too. I gaze at her with disbelief and mounting desire. She’s fucking perfect. I thought I could get her to see how in over her head she is, but it seems the tables have turned.
Eyes lingering on her flushed face, I notice the dark circles under her eyes and remember everything she’s been through. I might have omitted a few things earlier when she demanded to know why I’ve been helping her, but I didn’t lie when I told her she’s special.
I won’t take advantage of her in her current emotional state. As much as she claims to want this, she might feel differently after a good night’s sleep and much thought. She deserves to be absolutely sure about something as big as losing her virginity.
Resisting my urge to possess and dominate, I flip her back over. I’ll restrain myself, but it doesn’t mean I can’t give her a little something to take the edge off.