Royce
I shouldn’t have let her go.
That’s the only thing running through my mind the past few days. I should have carried her out of that fucking basement and brought her home. I should have made her mine that second and not let any time pass between us.
I pace back and forth through my living room, trying to rack my brain about what to do. I’ve already been sneaking down to her floor for made-up reasons. I don’t know how much more I can take. Days have gone by, and nothing. I see the look in her eyes. There’s so much need there, and I know exactly how to make it better.
I clench my fists and grit my teeth. That damn stubborn woman is determined to drive me crazy. If she would just let herself feel what’s between us, I know she’d see it. I know without a doubt that she’d fall into my arms.
Picking up my phone, I decide to call Henry again. Fuck everything. I don’t care if this screws up working together or if it ruins my name. I won’t let pride get in the way of what I want with Pandora. My finger hovers over the number just as I hear a knock on the door.
Looking up, I wait for Ezra or Donovan to walk in, but nothing happens. Thinking it must be a delivery from the doorman downstairs, I walk over and pull it open.
Standing in the doorway is my redheaded goddess. I’m stunned silent by her appearance, and I hold the door open with my jaw on the floor. Like an idiot.
Her hair is down, and she’s looking up at me through her lashes. She’s got on a black tank top and cutoff jean shorts and flip-flops. It’s the most skin I’ve ever seen exposed on her, and my mouth begins to water. She looks casual, like she’s been lounging around all day while I’ve been pacing like a maniac. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful in my life.
“Hey. Sorry to barge in on you, but I needed—”
Her words shake me out of my block of stone, and I reach for her, pulling her into my arms and kicking the door shut.
Before I know what’s happening, I’ve got her pinned against the wall, and my lips are on hers. Fire ignites between us, stronger than our first kiss. I taste sweetness on her tongue and moan at the feel of her hands on my chest.
I grip her ass tight and grind her against the length of my cock. Every thick inch pulses for her, and I’m aching to be inside her tight, wet heat.
“Fuck,” I moan as her hands move lower and I feel her fingers touch my stomach. “More.” I hold her up against the wall with my lower half so my hands are free to pull my shirt off. “Touch me.”
Her eyes are wide, and she licks her lips as her palms brush against my nipples.
“Did you come here because you want this?” I ask, watching her reaction. She nods, but I shake my head. “Not good enough.” I run my hands up her thighs, feeling the warmth of her skin around my waist. “If you’re here for a quick fuck, I’ll put you on your feet and take your pretty ass home. But if you want what I want, then I need to hear you say it.”
“Royce—”
“I don’t want it to be like that, baby. But I won’t play games with you. I’ll wait, and it will fucking kill me, but I’ll do it for you.”
She runs her hand up to my neck, and I lean into her touch. I close my eyes and take a breath, wanting so desperately to have her.
“I’m here because I want it all. You, me, and whatever this could become.”
I open my eyes and see the truth in hers.
“I’ve never felt this before, and I’m scared.”
The raw vulnerability she’s showing me right now makes my chest ache. It’s exactly what I’ve been wanting her to say since the day I laid eyes on her. But I want her to be as sure as I am. Once I’ve had her, there’s no going back.
“There’s nothing to be afraid of, Pandora.” I wrap my arms around her and look into her dark blue eyes. “I’ll never hurt you, and I’ll never leave you. So make sure when you tell me that you want this, that you damn well mean it. Because when you’re mine, that’s forever, baby.”
“I’m trusting you with my heart,” she says, and I smile.
“You’ve already got both hands wrapped around mine. Be careful with my precious cargo.” I pull her away from the wall, and she laughs as I walk us back to my bedroom.
When I carry her in, I lay her down on the bed and lie on top of her. I’m not ready to kiss her yet, because I just want to look at her in my bed. I’ve pictured her more times than I can count, and none of the images did it justice.
“I’ve never done this before,” she whispers, and I see her cheeks turn pink.
I could make a joke and lighten the mood, but I don’t want to. This is important to me, and I want it to be important to her.
“Then I’ll be gentle.” I rub my nose against hers.
“I’m on the pill.” She shrugs, and then opens her mouth to say something else, and I place my fingers on her lips.
“I’m clean, you’re clean. No condoms.” I wait a beat, and she nods.
When I take my finger away, I replace it with my lips. The kiss is soft at first, but when her hands get on my skin, I’m like an animal that’s found its mate.
Reaching for the hem of her tank top, I pull it up and over her head, throwing it to the ground. Her breasts are bared to me, her pink nipples tight with desire. I suck one into my mouth as I slip my hand down the front of her jean shorts and into her panties.
Her warm honey greets my fingers as I spread her folds and pet her clit. She moans my name, and her hips rise as I rub little circles inside her shorts. I look down and see my hand disappearing below the waistband, and I feel pulse in my cock. Fuck, I want in there so bad, but I have to go slow.
Slowly, I push two fingers into her tight opening, rubbing her clit with my palm. I ache to rip her shorts and panties off, but somehow watching it like this is so fucking hot. I suck her other nipple in my mouth when I feel her body tighten around my digits. She’s tight, but relaxes as I love her delicate body. I pet her as I would a kitten, gently and with ease. She responds in kind, moving her hand between us and rubbing the bulge in the front of my shorts.
The feel of her hand on me there is too much, and before I can control myself, I’m in motion.