Page 51 of Newly Tied

When he rolled his head to me, I noted his blown pupils, saw him lick his lips, and heard the softest, sweetest whimper.

“This time, you’re gonna be mine, all right?”

“Won’t I always be?”

“You’re killin’ me,” I ground out, staring into his beautiful dark eyes. “But this time, in your bed, I want you under me. You understand?”

Slow nod, and he didn’t take his eyes off my mouth.

As I leaned in, his eyes fluttered closed, and I felt his desire and craving and submission deep in my chest in a way I never did before. I’d wanted other men, but this was different. I had longed for this man, and yes, I wanted to devour him, but I wanted the forever even more. I knew my life would be set if only he would stay.

“Get out of your head,” he said softly, and I felt his breath on my face. “Be here in the present with me.”

And I would because while I could be unsure about me, I was not at all about him. I was very clear about what I wanted from Langston Ross.

Taking his mouth, I kissed him hard and long, feasting on his tongue, on his lips, and it was slow and drugging, heating my blood, making it pulse in my veins and pound in my ears.

When he had to breathe, he bit my bottom lip just hard enough for me to pull back a fraction. Instantly, my mouth went to his throat, and his moan was utterly decadent.

“Here we go,” the driver announced, and I turned to look at him. “First date?”

“No,” I said, but my voice didn’t work, so I cleared my throat and repeated the word.

“Really?” The driver nodded. “Impressive.”

On the sidewalk in front of Lang’s home, as soon as he got out and joined me on the curb, I took his face in my hands. “Let me take care of you.”

“Whatever you want,” he muttered, and took a quick breath, in and out.

“Whatever I want?”

“Yes.”

“Good.” I kissed him gently, slowly, then eased back to look at him. “Now tell me why you had the driver bring us here instead of going to my place like we planned.”

“I want you in my bed,” he stated, clearly, so there could be no mistake. “That’s why I changed our destination. I need you to understand what this means to me.”

“I know what it means. You don’t ever have anyone sleep overnight here with you.”

“No, I don’t. But you have to.”

“So you made it your place so I’d know I’m important.”

He nodded, and I grabbed him and hugged him. We stood there, holding on tight, until he mumbled something into my shoulder.

“What’d you say?” I asked softly.

“I said let’s go in already. We’re sweating our balls off out here.”

“You’re not even kiddin’.” I smiled, and he laughed, which I loved the sound of. But he was so right. At nearly three in the morning, it was still hot.

Walking up the path toward the lobby of his building, I could hear the cicadas in the trees, the crickets in the bushes, and see gnats and mosquitos and moths hovering around the decorative lampposts every five feet.

His fob took us inside the upscale building with all the chrome and steel, and then to the elevator and up to the tenth floor. He used his key to unlock the door to his apartment, then held it open for me, which he didn’t usually do.

“What was that?” I teased him.

“Don’t make fun of me. I’m a gentleman when it’s…and now it is.”