A smile turned her mouth. His fingers slid past the ends of her hair, brushed the bare skin of her back in the open halter, featherlight, tentative.
“Can I touch you?” he asked, his voice softer than a whisper but so much deeper.
She nodded, unable to speak. His hand slipped beneath her hair and pressed against her back, between her shoulder blades. His hand was big, his skin rough. Heat sank into her body in the shape of his handprint, loosening her muscles. Lexi sighed and closed her eyes.
“I think,” he murmured, “you were thinking the same thing I’ve been thinking for the last ten hours. How badly we want the other to ease this need that’s grown between us. ”
“God, yes,” she whispered. Once the words were out there, the fire that had been smothered by fear burned through and engulfed her body. “I’m just not used to… I mean, I’ve never done this. ”
He moved closer but didn’t press against her. His heat and scent grew stronger. His hand made another pass over her hair, this time pushing his fingers in and combing it. Her scalp tingled. The sensation traveled down her neck and spine. Tightened the skin of her chest and puckered her nipples. She’d never known such a simple touch could feel so sexual.
His head lowered, and his smooth, freshly shaven chin rubbed her temple as he murmured, “I’m just figuring that out. I’m sorry I didn’t catch on sooner. I was focused on the identity thing when I should have been focused on—”
“It’s not you,” she said. “You’re perfect. ”
He laughed softly, the sound filled with yeah-right attitude, and trickled over her skin, prickling like warm water on cold flesh. His breath was warm and minty, making her want to taste him.
His hand paused in her hair, and she tilted her head back, her temple touching his. “Don’t stop. That feels amazing. ”
His hand immediately started moving again, and Lexi moaned soft and low. “Thank you. ”
“Oh, little Lexi,” he said on a long exhale and turned his face toward hers, nuzzling her hair away from the side of her face. “I think I know why you’re so skittish. ”
She stiffened. Forced her eyes open. “What?”
“You’re…sweet. ” He said it like it was a tender surprise, like she was precious.
“Sweet? I should be offended, shouldn’t I? But I…kind of can’t think when you’re…touching me. ”
He brushed his closed lips along a path from the spot behind her ear to the strap of her halter on her neck and back again. No kissing. No tongue. Just rubbing. And heating her skin. And making her sex grow damp and swollen and hot.
“Why would that offend you?” On the last word, his open mouth pressed against the curve of her shoulder.
“Because sweet isn’t exactly…” Wasn’t exactly what? God, she really couldn’t think. She released the door handle and reached up, hooking her hand behind his head. His hair was soft. His skin smelled spicy and sexy. “Jax. ”
He groaned. The sound lit a match between her legs. He fisted the hand in her hair and moved his mouth to her neck, suckling. She echoed his moan.
“You taste even better than I imagined. Can I feel you, Lexi? Can I feel you everywhere so I can create you in my mind?”
“Yes. ”
His hands closed on her waist. Heat shot both directions, into her sex and her breasts. His hands slid up her sides, creeping under her halter, and the rough skin on his fingertips scraped gently. Gooseflesh rose beneath his hands. His hands slid around front, covering her entire belly, long fingers stretching low between her hipbones.
“Mmmm,” he hummed in approval.
Lexi started to turn, ravenous for his mouth. For his body to be pressed fully up against hers. But Jax had a firm hold on her. “I’m still checking you out, sweetheart. It takes longer without light. ”
His hands moved over her hipbones and down the front of her thighs, avoiding her throbbing sex but bringing his chest low and against her back. She
turned her head, kissed his cheek. His temple.
“Jax…” Then he found the hem of her skirt; his hands slid over the skin of her thighs. “Yes…”
But, again, his hands traveled around to her hips, then back to her thighs, and higher, grasping the cheeks of her ass firmly enough to make Lexi gasp.
“Goddamn, Lexi,” he growled as his forehead pressed against her temple. “It’s a good thing I didn’t see you in the airport. We might have missed the plane. ”
She laughed, hardly more than a soft puff of air. Then he leaned in until his body pressed the length of hers. One long, lean wall of muscle and heat. Finally.