And God, I want to be ruined. I want to be smothered by him.
His eyes locked onto mine, filled with heat, filled with intent. “Like what you see, kitten?” His voice was husky, edged with amusement, but I could see the way his muscles tightened, the way his hands clenched at his sides like he was holding himself back.
I swallowed hard, my pulse hammering in my throat. “Yes,” I breathed, barely able to form the word.
That smirk of his deepened. “Good.”
I sat up on one elbow so I could trace the dips of his muscles. He exhaled sharply when my nails lightly grazed over his abs. “Tate…” My name was more of a groan than a word, sending a rush of heat straight through me.
Griffin pressed a kiss to the corner of my mouth, then another, softer this time, until I turned into him, claiming his lips with a hunger that made my head spin. His weight shifted over me, our bodies flush, his warmth seeping into every inch of me.
He made quick work of the shirt that had been covering the rest of me from his hungry eyes, and as soon as I was exposed, his gaze darkened, devouring every inch of me. From my neck to my collarbone, over my breasts, lingering at the soft rise and fall of my chest, down the curve of my stomach, all the way to my bare toes, curled slightly against the sheets.
A slow, deep breath left him, his fingers flexing at his sides like he was holding himself back.
“Fuck, Tate,” he murmured, voice thick with something raw. “You’re—” He swallowed hard, shaking his head like he couldn’t find the words.
Heat rushed to my cheeks, my body thrumming under the intensity of his stare. No one has ever looked at me like this before, like I’m the most stunning thing he’d ever seen, like I was something to becherished.I was used to being looked at andadmired in a way that felt impersonal, like a piece of art behind glass. Or worse, like something to be devoured, nothing more than skin and curves for wandering eyes.
But not with Griffin.
His gaze was different. It wasn’t just hunger. It was admiration. Like he sawme,not just my body. Like hewantedallof me.
My breath hitched as he leaned in, his fingers tracing the curve of my hip, his lips hovering just over mine.
“You okay, baby?” he murmured, voice rough, careful.
I nodded, swallowing hard. “Yeah.”
His thumb stroked lazily across my skin, soothing and setting me on fire all at once. “You’d tell me if you weren’t?”
I nodded again, my heart swelling at the tenderness in his tone.
His eyes searched mine, something deep and unspoken passing between us before he finally closed the distance, his lips capturing mine in a kiss that stole the breath straight from my lungs.
I shifted beneath him, suddenly desperate to feel his hands on me, to replace the space between us with warmth, with heat, withhim.
“Griffin,” I whispered, reaching for him. “Don’t make me beg.” My voice was a mix of impatience and need. I knew it was going to hurt. I’d read enough to prepare myself for that, but I didn’t care. I just wanted to get past the pain, to reach the pleasure waiting on the other side.
He groaned, his forehead dropping to mine as he exhaled a shaky breath. His fingers traced slow, soothing circles over my hip, grounding me even as my body hummed with anticipation.
“I just…” He lifted his head, eyes burning into mine. “I don’t want to hurt you, Tate. I’ve never been with a virgin before, and I would hate myself if I hurt you.”
I hated that he’d been with others, but I knew that before I got into this relationship with him. My heart clenched at the way his voice roughened, thick with emotion. I reached up, cupping his jaw, my thumb grazing over the stubble lining his cheek.
“I know,” I whispered, my voice softer now. “But I trust you.”
His throat bobbed as he swallowed, his hesitation warring with his desire.
“You just have to go slow at first,” I continued, letting my fingers trail down his chest, feeling the steady thrum of his heartbeat beneath my touch. “I need you to believe that Iwant you.And I’ve never wanted anyone before.You were always supposed to be my first.”
Something in his expression cracked then, his resolve slipping as his lips crashed into mine, swallowing the soft gasp that escaped me. His hands mapped every inch of my body, slow, careful, worshipping.
“I’ll take care of you,” he promised against my lips. “Always.”
While he was devouring my mouth, his hands moved slowly down my body, fingertips just grazing my skin until he wasdown there. I fought the embarrassment. I’d only touched myself a few times and had only dreamed of this moment, but now being in this situation was completely different. Griffin Silver was going to finger me, and if he didn’t touch me in a second, I was going to do it for him.
His touch, like butterfly wings against my skin, was slow and hesitant. I found myself arching into him because I wanted him to touch thespot.
