I leaned into her, and Hallie’s tongue stroked mine. The moment her flavor exploded on my tongue, I was lost. I could’ve drunk Hallie dry and would still be starved for her taste.
She let out a mewl, and my dick pressed against my zipper. I forced myself to pull back, not to frighten her.
I lay my forehead against hers, breathing heavily. “I want you so bad it scares me sometimes.”
“I feel the same way,” she whispered against my lips.
“I don’t ever want to scare you.”
Hallie pulled back. She lifted a hand, her fingers tracing the line of my lips. “You don’t. What I feel does.”
Those gray eyes swirled, sparking silver. “But maybe that fear is good. It means I’m alive. I’ve been frightened for so long, but I’ve felt the bravest since I came here. Since you reminded me of everything I’m capable of.”
My rib cage gave a violent squeeze. “You’re the strongest woman I’ve ever known. The bravest.”
Hallie’s chest rose and fell, the swells of her breasts peeking out of her sweater with each move. “I want to be brave now.”
My mouth went dry. “Brave how?”
Hallie’s tongue parted her lips. “I want you to touch me.”
37
HALLIE
My mouth wentdry as I stared into Lawson’s eyes. The deep blue blazed brighter with the kind of heat you knew would leave third-degree burns. I couldn’t believe I’d spoken the words. But what I’d said was true. Lawson made me brave.
And I could be brave now.
I released my hold on him and stood. My legs trembled as I walked toward the bed. It wasn’t fear. It was a whole tangle of emotions. Nerves, for sure, but the strongest was want, need. A craving so intense my body couldn’t handle the force.
Lowering myself to the mattress, I focused on Lawson. That blue gaze swept over me, bringing heat to each place it touched.
“Hallie,” he rasped.
“I trust you,” I whispered.
A muscle along Lawson’s jaw popped. “Tell me what you want,” he said, grit coating his words.
I swallowed hard, my heart hammering against my ribs. “You. I want you to touch me.”
Sparks danced in the blue depths. “Need you to be more specific.”
Color hit my cheeks. “You know.”
Lawson’s expression gentled for a moment. “You’re in control, Little Minx. You’re going to tell me exactly what you want. And I’m going to give it to you.”
My lips parted as I sucked in a breath. “I, um, you know my last partner wasn’t all that…” I didn’t know the words I was looking for. “I’m not sure what I want,” I finally finished.
Admitting that had me wanting to crawl under a rock. The only boyfriend I’d had was in high school, and he had always been the one to lead things. The sex hadn’t been what I’d call good, but I hadn’t had to figure it out either.
Lawson leaned back on the couch, gaze roaming. “It’s instinct. Youknowwhat feels good, don’t you? Or what you might like to try?”
“Maybe…”
He ran his thumb along his bottom lip. “Do you touch yourself, Hallie?”
My face flamed.
