After setting down her beer, she yanked his out of his hand mid sip. He blinked. “Hey. I was drinking that.

“I’m done.” She straddled his lap and cupped his face. His heart lurched, and his cock thickened with need. “I invited you in. Now it’s time for you to fulfill your part of the bargain, Benji.”

He held her still, digging his fingers into her thighs, but didn’t move. “Say it. I need to hear you say it.”

“Kiss me. Take me.” She buried her hands securely in his hair. “Make me yours.”

“I thought you’d never ask,” he said, sliding his hands down her legs, and back up—only this time under her skirt. “Maggie.”

He kissed her fully. All the other times they’d kissed, minus the time he’d made her come, he’d held himself back. Hadn’t let himself get caught up in the moment. Well, not this time.

This time, he was all fucking in.

She gasped and clung to him, rolling her hips against him hungrily. He entwined his tongue with hers, loving the way she tasted. Hell, she tasted like she was his—and he liked that. He slid his hands up her curves. If he was a poetic man, he could write a verse or two about the way her waist flared out slightly at her hips, intoxicating him. He arched up, rubbing against her warm core, and she moaned, pressing down firmly.

She broke the kiss off and drew in a ragged breath. “I need a minute…I need…”

He brushed her hair out of her face. “I’ve made many mistakes in my life, but this isn’t one of them.” He picked her up and laid her down on the couch, lowering his body over hers. “You never know what life will throw at you, or how things will go, but this isn’t a mistake. And you sense that, too, which is what scares you so much.”

He kissed her again, gently, and after a moment of hesitation, she kissed him back, wrapping her legs and arms around him. That was all the answer he needed. This.

Skimming his fingers up her soft thigh, he cupped her ass, hauling her closer to him as he deepened the kiss. She gasped and dug her nails into his shoulders, her tongue circling his. Something that felt this good, this right, couldn’t be wrong.

And he refused to believe it could be.

Smoothly, he stood and picked her up without breaking her hold on him, or their kiss. He headed for the hallway to the left, where she’d come from earlier. When he pushed through the door, he strode to the bed in the middle of the room, tossed her on it and yanked his bowtie off.

There was a meow, a hiss, and claws scratching against wood as her cat bolted out of the room. “Oops.”

A laugh escaped her, and he joined her as he dropped his bowtie to the floor. And it felt fucking amazing to be undressing a woman and laughing over something as silly as a damn cat.

“Don’t worry about him. He was just hiding under the bed, like usual.” She watched him closely, licking her lips and pressing her thighs together. It was, hands down, the most erotic thing he’d ever seen. Just like that, his mood shifted from amused to unquenchable lust for Maggie. “Close the door,” she said.

Crossing the room, he did as told. “Protection?” he managed to grit out.

“Oh, right.” She rolled over and opened the drawer next to her bed. Taking out a foil packet, she tossed it at him. “There you go.”

He undid the buttons of his shirt, and she lifted herself up on elbows. When his shirt was off, he grabbed his waistband, uncertain whether he should take his pants off or not. She hadn’t removed a single article of clothing yet.

“Benjamin,” she said, her voice coming out a little bit strangled “I…I want to see you. All of you. Don’t stop.”

He bit back a moan. He planned on making her say that again, later, louder. And naked. Not wasting time, he flicked his wrist and let his pants hit the floor.

Her breath came in short bursts, her chest rising and falling in short bursts. “You’re…you’re not wearing any underwear.”

He cocked a brow. “Your turn. Take. It. Off.”

She rose up on her knees, turning her back to him. He studied her for any signs of hesitation. As much as he wanted her, he needed to make sure she wouldn’t regret this. Wouldn’t regret him. “Unzip me?”

He swallowed hard, stepping closer. Gently, he pushed her hair over her shoulder, exposing the nape of her neck. Leaning down, he kissed the spot directly above her spine. “You’re so pretty.” He unzipped a bit, and kissed the skin he bared. “So soft.” Some more, and another kiss halfway down her spine. “So sweet.” He hit the bottom of the zipper and pushed the dress off her shoulder. This time, instead of a kiss, he nipped the skin at the small of her back. “So mine.”

Shuddering, she faced him, holding her dress on at the shoulders. After taking a deep breath, she let go, and he staggered back. Actually staggered back. The swell of her hips was the sexiest thing he’d ever seen, and he couldn’t look away. Her large breasts were encased in a sheer black bra, and her panties were pretty much nonexistent.

That was somehow even sexier than no panties at all.

“Jesus,” he gritted out, grabbing a hold of her and flipping her onto her back. “You’re perfect. Unbelievably gorgeous. And unbelievably sexy.”

She gasped and arched her back, digging her nails into the comforter beneath her. “Benjamin. I need… I need…”

“Me. You need me.” He nipped right above her knee, swirling his tongue over the love bite to sooth the sting. She hissed in a breath, writhing against him. “Say it, Maggie.”

“You,” she breathed. “I need you now.” She cupped her core, shooting him the naughtiest look he’d ever seen. “Here.”

When she bit her lip and rolled her hips, touching herself, he laid his hand over hers, stilling her fingers. He was all too happy to give her what she wanted. He kissed a slow path up her thigh, slowing even more when he neared her barely there lingerie, and she struggled to move her fingers underneath his.

Arching her hips up, she threaded her free hand in his hair. He inhaled deeply. She smelled like heaven. “Ben…please.” She lifted herself up. “I need you.”

He removed her hand, tore her thong off, and tossed it over his shoulder. Groaning, he ran his fingers over her small patch of soft brown curls, and over her clit. She cried out, spreading her legs more for him. And what a pretty picture she was. All swollen lips, pink skin, and desire.

Leaning in, he flicked his tongue over her, sliding his hands under her perfect ass to lift her up. She cried out and closed her thighs around his head. “Oh my—yes. Benjamin. Yes.”

He closed his mouth over her, swirling his tongue in wide, gentle circles. His cock begged to be buried inside her, but it would have to wait. First, she had to scream, cry, and plead. She had to need him, damn it.

Like he needed her.

Chapter Twelve

Benjamin was going to kill her. He kept teasing her with soft caresses of his tongue, then he’d pull back so she couldn’t come and start all over again. If he kept it up, he might find out what it felt like to be punched by a farmer’s daughter. She had a strong uppercut, thanks to her father’s tutelage, so he’d be surprised.

Then again, maybe he wouldn’t be.

He seemed to understand her better than any other man she’d ever been with, and it was kind of scary. Cool, too, but mostly frightening. She kept pushing him away, but he hadn’t let her drive him off, like she had other men. And he was right. What they had together did feel like it was meant to be, which made this whole mess even worse, because they didn’t stand a chance of making it.

But she was going to do it anyway.

And he’d be with her the whole time.