Page 78 of Cruel Games

“That makes the two of us.” He tilted my chin up, so we made eye contact. “I can’t believe you survived such thugs and became such a well-balanced person.”

I wrinkled my nose.

“Lilah, I’m serious.”

“Shut up and kiss me.”

“As my lady commands.” He lowered his lips onto mine in the gentlest of caresses.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed myself against his gorgeous, hard body. He felt the same as his twin, but everything about him was different. The way he smelled, the way he held me, even the gentle way he kissed. While Maxwell devoured, Kendrick cherished.

He broke the kiss and closed his eyes. “May I?”

“What do you want?”

“This might be forward, but—”

“What?”

“I want to see you.”

My lips curled into a smile. “Naked?”

“No!” He smiled back. “Could I?”

I reached for the top button of his shirt. “Only if you return the favor.”

Kendrick grinned. “I’m happy to oblige.”

Unwrapping Kendrick was fun. I kissed and licked each inch of the flesh I exposed, enjoying his quiet moans and shudders. He was so different from Maxwell and his dirty talk. It felt like I was the one setting the pace, not slowing it down.

I shouldered off his shirt, leaving his front exposed, and ran my palms over Kendrick’s sculpted chest. There were no tattoos, nipple rings, or adornments—just bulging pecs, a tight six-pack, and a dark treasure trail leading to the waistband of his pants.

“Your turn.” Kendrick slipped his fingers under the hem of my top and pulled it over my shoulders and head. When the garment slipped to the floor, and I stood before him in my bra and jeans, he roved his eyes over my breasts and shook his head. “Unbelievable.”

I reached for his belt buckle, but he grabbed my hands. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

“See you in your boxers?” I let my gaze drop down to the erection straining through his pants. “Yeah.”

He let go of my hands and gave me a nod.

I took my time unbuckling his belt. Not that I was planning to seduce him, but it was obvious he’d never gotten very far with any girls. I couldn’t fathom why. He was bloody gorgeous.

“Have you gone this far with anyone before?” I asked even though already knowing the answer.

He shook his head. “A few chaste kisses.”

“Have you ever wanted to?”

“‘Lead us not into temptation’ and all that.” He chuckled.

Taking that answer for a yes, I unbuckled his belt, slid the button of his pants out of its hole, and pulled his zipper all the way down. “If you’ve spent most Sundays listening to Father Neapolitan, I’m surprised you haven’t given up on women.”

“He’s a judgmental fool.”

Barking out a laugh, I snapped my gaze up to his. “Bitter, too.”

Kendrick unbuttoned my jeans and peeled them down my legs. His eyes widened at the sight of my lace panties. “You’re—”