I sag into Bates’s embrace, still not quite able to believe we’re a real couple all of a sudden.

I’m tempted to pinch myself, but there’s no mistaking the warmth of his body pressed against my back and his arms around my waist holding me steady. He’s here in this moment with me, and it’s everything.

With his head dipped, he rests his chin atop my head as we look out of the huge windows before us. The view is spectacular, and while I can’t wait to go explore it all, I don’t want to leave this room, either. This is the first time in weeks that we’ve been alone, and it feels so good I don’t want it to end.

I know this has the potential to blow up in my face. I’m putting my heart on the line for the first time in my life. But if anyone is worth taking that risk for, it’s the man holding me like I’m the most precious thing in his world right now.

A knock at the door has Bates pulling away from me, and I miss his warmth the second it’s gone.

“That’ll be our bags,” he says, striding to the door and swinging it open. He takes our luggage from the porter, tips him, then signs something the guy pulls from his pocket before returning to me. “Let’s go find our room, babe.”

I follow him up a set of spiral stairs on the far side of the room that leads to a mezzanine level. My breath whooshes from my lungs at the sight of our room. “This isn’t a room,” I squeak. “It’s a freaking orgy den.” There is not one, but two stripper poles in the large open space, strategically placed at the foot of the biggest bed I’ve ever seen.

Bates drops our bags by one of the poles then turns to face me. “Hey, don’t look at me like that; Lenny booked the rooms.” The grin on his face tells me he’s not unhappy with this development, though. A wicked gleam lights his gaze, then he’s stalking toward me, closing the space between us in three long strides.

“What are you doing?” I yelp as he tosses me over his shoulder like I weigh nothing. I plant my hands at the small of his back to steady myself as he spins around and strides across the room. I’m tempted to slap his big butt, then it occurs to me that he is my boyfriend now, and I’m entitled to a little butt-touching action.

I raise one hand, about to wallop his booty, when I’m unceremoniously tossed onto the bed. I sink into the plush comforter as Bates crawls over me, his knees settling next to my hips and his palms coming to rest on either side of my face.

He peers down at me, a beautiful smile stretching his lips. “I’ve imagined this view for so long,” he says. “You pinned beneath me, lust-hazed eyes unable to tear themselves away from mine.”

I swallow then sink my teeth into my bottom lip. My heart pounds against my ribs, and my stomach hollows out. “Then what happens?” I whisper, incapable of speaking any louder for fear of disrupting the moment.

He moves one leg, pressing his knee between my thighs, urging them to part for him. I do without hesitation. He shifts his position until he’s situated between my spread legs, and I wrap them around him, desperate for more contact. He follows my cue and lowers himself, bringing our most intimate parts together.

It feels so good, the simple weight of his body between my thighs. I roll my hips up and into him, relishing the feel of his hardness through his jeans. He groans, dropping his face to my throat. “I thought we were taking this slow,” he murmurs.

“That was your idea, not mine. I’m in, Bates. Fully and completely in. No more holding back.”

He lifts his head, surprise filling his gaze. “I just figured you’d prefer we take it slow. But if you want fast, I can do fast.”

His grin is downright sinful, and I love it. Mostly because it’s directed at me. My fingers dive into his hair, and I tug him to me, whispering over his lips, “I’ve waited a long time for this too. I don’t want to wait anymore.”

Our mouths crash together, the kiss neither delicate nor gentle. It’s full of need, want, and desire, and I can’t get enough of it. Of him. He rolls his hips against me, teasing me with what’s to come. I hook my ankles at the small of his back, keeping him close as I roll my pelvis in time with him.

I’ve never been so brazen with a man, but he ignites something almost feral within me. I crave his touch, his praise, his everything.

Heat builds low in my belly; I haven’t been this stimulated in a long time. My fantasies and vibrator have nothing on being with Bates in real life. He tears his mouth from mine as he abruptly sits up and yanks his shirt off, tossing it to the side. My eyes eat up every inch of exposed skin while my fingertips travel over his intricate tattoos.

A shiver wracks through his body when I scrape my nails over his pierced nipple on a path to his belt buckle. My fingers make quick work of unfastening it, popping the button atop his fly before his hands wrap around my wrists, tugging them away from my prize.

“Not yet, princess,” he growls. “If you touch my dick right now, I’m probably going to embarrass myself. And neither of us want that.”

I’m both elated with the knowledge that I’ve gotten him so worked up and disappointed that I can’t touch him.

“Don’t pout, babe. I didn’t say never, just not this second.”

My jaw drops. “I’m not pouting.”

He smirks. “Yes, you are. And it’s fucking hot seeing you pout over my dick.”

I swallow. I really like his dirty mouth. So, so much.

“Now be a good girl and let me explore this perfect body of yours,” he murmurs, pinning my hands by my sides as he lowers his mouth to the soft skin of my throat. His lips pepper it with soft kisses and tiny bites that he soothes with a flick of his tongue.

I squirm, wanting so badly to touch him, but he tightens his grip on my wrists. “Uh-uh-ah. Stay still, princess, or you won’t get your reward,” he chides.

Holy smokes, I want my reward. Whatever it is, I want it. Bad.

I nod, sinking my teeth into my lip again. He’s driving me crazy, and I’m still fully clothed. He gently nibbles on my collarbone then drags his tongue down until he reaches the swell of my breast where his teeth sink into the delicate flesh, making my back arch.

He lifts his head, meeting my gaze with his teeth still digging into my boob, and I melt a little more. The desire swirling in his blue eyes has turned them molten, burning me from the inside out. “You taste so good,” he murmurs against my skin then brushes sweet soothing kisses over the bruised flesh.

Finally releasing my wrists, he moves his hands to the hem of my shirt, tugging it up my stomach. I sit, aiding him in removing it from my body. With startling precision, he snaps the clasp of my bra and sends it flying across the room along with my tee. My chest rises and falls in rapid succession, just waiting to see what he does next.

“I need to see you. All of you. I’ve been dying to get my eyes on this body completely bare since you wore that fuck-hot bathing suit to my pool party last summer,” he says in a gravelly tone that makes my skin prickle in anticipation.

I practically whimper as I grip the elastic waist of my skirt and start tugging it down.

Again, his hands stop me. My gaze shoots to his, but the expression on his beautiful face settles my nerves before they have the chance to fully take over.

“Let me,” he breathes out, dropping his mouth to speak against my stomach. “I want to undress you.”

“Oh,” I murmur. “Okay.”

His nimble hands replace mine, drawing the fabric of not just my skirt, but my underwear too, over my hips then down my thighs until it pools at my ankles, and I kick it away.

The feel of his gaze raking over my body is intoxicating. “Please. I don’t want to wait anymore,” I beg.

His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows and dips his head to take my mouth in a deep, sweltering kiss that sets my nerve endings on fire. Reefing his mouth from mine, he burns a path down my throat, over my collarbone, and across my breasts. He sucks each nipple into his mouth, giving them both ample attention.

My back bows. I didn’t realize how connected my nipples were to my core until this very moment. “Oh, Lord, yeeeeesssssssss,” I cry.

I can feel his mouth curve into a wicked smile against my heated skin as he continues his journey down my torso, dipping his tongue into my belly button before grazing the blunt edge of his teeth over my hip bone.

“I’m going to taste every single inch of your gorgeous body.” He groans with a swipe of his fantastic tongue. “You’re so perfect, princess.”

I squirm restlessly as he makes his way farther south. I’m desperate to feel him there, against my most intimate part.

“Stay still,” he growls with a flick of his tongue. “I don’t want any distractions when I finally dip my tongue in your perfect pussy.”

I’m engulfed by a wave of desire that makes my breath catch in the back of my throat, and my pulse thrums in my veins. My body trembles as Bates lowers his head to my core, his eyes locked on mine as he takes one long, slow lick between my folds.

The sound that leaves my lips is almost embarrassing, but I’m spurred on by the look in his gaze. My hands lock in his hair despite his warning to stay still, and the smile that curves his lips sends a shiver racing down my spine as warmth pools low in my belly.

“Bates,” I whimper. “Please, don’t stop. Please.”

“Never,” he murmurs before he buries his face in my pussy, licking, sucking, kissing. A single finger joins, circling my center ever so gently, then it glides inside, stroking a spot so sensitive and raw I cry out, my body clenching around his finger over and over again. Stars burst behind my eyes as my climax takes me under.

I’m a sweaty, panting mess by the time he relents, lifting his head to grin at me. “I knew when I finally tasted you, once would never be enough.”

My body is lax as I release a contented sigh. The lightness that fills my chest brings a soft smile to my lips. “Feel free to do that anytime you like,” I murmur.

“Oh, I will,” Bates confirms. “I definitely will.”