“I’m listening.”
Stepping closer, he flashed me his signature grin. “For the purposes of the full dating experience, I’d like free rein to touch you.” I stiffened immediately, and he sighed. “I know it’s not something you enjoy, and I’m sure there’s a reason behind it. But I need you to know you’re safe with me, Gemma. I would never hurt you.”
I should have said no, placing focus on maintaining boundaries. That’s what the logical part of my brain demanded at his request.
But then there was this other part—a deeply hidden part—that couldn’t help but wonder what it might be like to allow him to show me genuine affection. Because, let’s face it, in his mind, we were already together, and he wanted to act as if that were truly the case.
If I didn’t say yes, I knew I would always look back on this moment and thinkwhat if?
So, against my better judgment, I offered him the tiniest hint of a smile and agreed with a single word. “Okay.”
“That’s my girl,” Sasha whispered before his warm palm came to rest on the side of my neck.
An instinct I didn’t know I possessed had me leaning into his touch. That paw was massive, the fingers curling all around to the other side, but the hold was gentle, tender.
Instantly, I believed his words. He would never hurt me.
And my heart felt freer just being in his presence.
“Ready to go?” His eyes searched mine.
Licking my lips, I swallowed, nodding. “Yeah.”
That hand slid down my arm, coming to rest at the small of my back as he guided me through the front door. He maintained physical contact while I locked up behind us. Tangling our fingers together, he provided support as I navigated the porch steps in heels before opening the passenger side of his electric blue sports car parked behind my coupe.
“Surprised a big guy like you can fit behind the wheel of something like this,” I remarked, scanning the flashy ride.
Sasha chuckled, easing me inside before pressing his hands against the frame and leaning in.
“I have a knack for working my way into tight spaces.”
My lips parted on an exhale, my thighs clenching automatically.
The heat blazing in his blue eyes told me he knew exactly how his words had affected me.
Yeah, I was in big trouble.
A thumb traced over my bottom lip, and a low groan sounded from the man staring at me like I was his next meal.
Before I could do something stupid like draw that digit into my mouth, Sasha pulled away, making sure to tuck my skirt in before shutting the door.
While he moved around the hood, I used the moment alone to give myself a mental pep talk.
Deep breaths.
Don’t let your vagina overrule common sense.
You don’t even like sex, remember?
This is just a free meal and a ride in a fancy car. Nothing more.
A burst of cold air had me shivering as Sasha jumped into the driver’s seat. Hitting the button on the ignition, he backed out one-handed, the other dropping to rest on my thigh, right above my knee.
The roar of the engine was the only sound as we drove.
I was mesmerized by the lazy way his thumb stroked circles over my bare flesh where my skirt had ridden up. Touching me seemed as natural as breathing for him.
For the first time in my life, I wasn’t immediately trying to get away, my skin crawling and demanding that I break contact. For some reason, Sasha’s hands on me had this grounding effect, and the longer I allowed this connection, the more I wanted it to continue.
