Page 67 of Falling Fast
‘Yes.’ My foot starts to tap, but I force it to stop. I’m not going to spiral. I want this – I want Leif – and I’m not going to let my past ruin my present. ‘If you’d like to, that is?’
‘I’d like to.’ He glances down. ‘But I’m kind of sweaty.’
‘So am I.’
‘I’ve been running about a pitch.’
‘And I’ve been walking around in the heat since 8 a.m. I think we’re equally gross.’ I lift a hand to the side of his face, sweeping my thumb gently across his cheek before leaning closer and inhaling. ‘I like the smell of you anyway.’
He catches my hand and presses a trail of kisses all the way from the inside of my wrist to the crook of my elbow. It makes me shiver so hard I can’t hide it. I can’t speak any more either. All I can do is nod silently, then open my car door and wait for him to do the same.
The distance to my flat seems like miles. I want to be there already, touching him, kissing him, moving together. There’s a pulse low down in my body, strong and insistent, and if I don’t do something about it soon, I’m going to scream because I’m wound so tight. I’m aware of Leif walking beside me, but I daren’t even look in his direction until we’re inside and I’ve taken off my coat, deposited my bag on the floor and – yes, OK – done a quick check of my appearance in the hall mirror. My skin is a little shinier than I’d like and someof my hair has escaped from my crown braid, but considering how crazy busy I’ve been all day I’m relieved it’s not worse.
By the time I turn around, Leif has closed the front door and is leaning back against it, watching me. He must be equally tired and yet he looks wide awake, his gaze dark and hungry.
‘Ava?’ He takes a step forward like he can’t wait either, so I reach out and weave my fingers through his, pulling him after me into my bedroom.
I stop by the side of the bed, turn on the lamp, then hook my hands around his neck and draw his face down to mine. It feels different to all the other times we’ve kissed, deeper and hotter and more urgent. My whole body lights up in response, like my blood is racing to the surface of my skin.
Between kisses, I wrench my crop top over my head and drop it on to the floor. I could definitely use a spritz of perfume right now, but Leif doesn’t seem to care because he’s already dragging his lips along my collarbone and sliding his tongue down to the dip between my breasts. His stubble scratches my skin, but somehow that only makes the ache between my legs even more intense. I feel him unhook my bra, so I grab at the hem of his shirt and then we’re pulling the rest of our clothes off, hands everywhere like we can’t get enough of each other.
We topple sideways on to the bed, arms and legs entwined. It feels so right, I don’t even care about freshly laundered, vanilla-scented sheets. My body feels relaxed and all I want is this. Him. Us together. As soon as possible.
‘You feel so good.’ He groans as he bites into my shoulder.
I spread my fingers out over his chest, tracing patterns over his skin. He’s so toned. I want to explore every part of him.
‘If I do anything you don’t like …’ He slides lower,drawing one of my nipples into his mouth in a way that makes me want to combust.
‘I’ll tell you.’ I pant.
‘Good.’ One of his hands slips between my thighs. ‘Now, tell me what you like.’
What I like?I freeze. How am I supposed to answer that?
‘Ava?’ He lifts his head and takes his hand away immediately. ‘What’s the matter?’
‘Nothing.’ I try to sound casual, but I can feel my body tensing up. ‘I’d just rather do it than talk about it.’
‘I didn’t mean …’ He looks confused. ‘Ava?’
‘OK, fine. I haven’t done this before.’ I pull away from him, hoisting myself up to a sitting position. ‘I can’t tell you what I like because I don’t know.’ I fold my arms defensively. ‘It’s no big deal.’
‘I know that.’ He crawls up the bed. ‘If it helps, I haven’t done it for a while.’
‘Really?’ I narrow my eyes.
He nods. ‘But that’s no big deal either, right?’
‘Right.’ I unfold my arms as I hold on to his gaze. His sincere expression is so powerfully, fucking sexy, I feel myself start to melt again. ‘You’re right. Let’s keep going.’
‘You’re certain?’ He leans forward, pressing his lips to the side of my neck.
‘Absolutely.’ I feel like I’m being caressed all over. ‘I want this.’
‘So we’ll take it slowly and if you want me to stop, just tell me.’
‘I will.’ I smooth my hands over his biceps. ‘And don’t worry. It might be my first time with someone else, but I’ve had plenty of solo practice.’
