Assured (Soul Serenade #2)(40)

That’s a first for me.

The elevator ride is quiet. I think everyone is just excited for a full-sized bed and a good night’s sleep that doesn’t have anything to do with a noisy, bumpy interstate.

We reach the top floor and scatter our separate ways. I follow Stacy to what I assume is her room. She inserts the card and I follow her inside.

Once the door closes, she turns to face me. She’s biting her lip and looks worried about something. My heart drops instantly—she’s changed her mind. I knew I wanted this, being more with her. It’s not until this moment that I realize that I want it—not just to give her what she wants, but for me too.

I want her.

I step forward and wrap my arms around her. “What’s wrong?”

“I didn’t get you a room,” she says. She sounds worried.

“No problem, I can call down and get it fixed or room with one of the guys.” I would offer to stay with her, because that’s where I want to be, but she looks too worried for that. I don’t want to push her for fear of her telling me to hit the road. I’ll try to rationalize my need to be next to her another time.

“No, I did it on purpose. I thought you could stay with me.”

Hell f*cking yes! I pick her up and swing her around. “Good choice, beautiful,” I say as my lips cover hers.

All too soon, she’s breaking the kiss. “Cole, put me down.” She laughs.

“Wrap your legs around me,” I tell her before kissing her again.

For weeks, I’ve been this softer version of myself. I knew then, even though I wouldn’t have admitted it, that this is how I wanted to end up. Her in my arms. I’ve enjoyed actually taking the time to get to know her, but she agreed to be mine. It’s now my mission to prove to her that taking a chance on me—on us—was the right decision.

“Cole,” she breathes as I trail kisses down her neck.

“You want this,” I rasp.

“Yes.”

It’s great that she isn’t fighting me on it, but it wasn’t a question. I can feel her heat. I know she wants this, wants me. And I plan to deliver.

When I grip her ass, she breaks the kiss and buries her head in my neck. In two strides, I have her pressed against the wall, my body molded against hers.

“I need those lips, sweets,” I rasp in her ear.

Without hesitation, her lips cover mine as she works her hands up to my hair and removes the tie. She immediately grabs on as she deepens the kiss. She’s sweet, like honey.

Hands still on her ass, I pull her against me. She gasps when she feels my hard cock against her heat. I lean in to kiss her again, but stop when she rotates her hips against mine.

Fuck me.

“Stacy.” Her name is the only word I can get past my lips as she rolls her hips again.

“More,” she pants.

More.

I quickly walk us to the bed, setting her on the edge. She keeps her legs wrapped around my waist and I lean over her, my arms resting on either side of her head. When she lifts her hips, I fight against the moan sitting in the back of my throat.

Placing all my weight on one hand, careful not to crush her, the other gently grips her chin, making her look at me. “I need to hear you say it.”

She smirks. “It.”

“Smartass.” I grin as I lean down and kiss the corner of her mouth.

“What do you want to hear Cole? That I’ve fought my attraction to you for months? That I’m willing to throw away my idea of dating and future for a chance to be with you? Do you want me to tell you that the reward of feeling you inside me is worth the risk of a broken heart?” She cups my face. “Or maybe you want me to tell you that I’m wet for you? That you’re driving me crazy and I want you inside me? Is that what you want to hear?” Her voice is softer now.

“All of the above,” I say against her lips.

“Cole.” My name is a whisper from her lips. Pulling back, my eyes meet hers. “Don’t break me.”

My heart is pounding against my chest. Break her? I want to f*cking cherish her. But Kace is the one with the words, not me. How do I make her understand?

“You’re beautiful,” I tell her. Her emerald eyes are shining bright.

I watch as her face turns a light shade of pink. “It,” she says with a soft smile.

I nod once. I know what she wants. Standing to my full height, I pull my shirt over my head and toss it across the room. Stacy sits up and does the same. I want to be the one stripping her, but I’m man enough to admit that if I do, this is going to be over before it starts.

I don’t take my eyes off her as she reaches behind her back and removes her bra. Sliding one strap off then the other, she slowly lets it fall before tossing it behind her. Lying back against the bed, she unbuttons her jeans, lifts her hips, and shimmies them down her thighs, along with her thong. I take over from there, pulling them down her legs and tossing them to the side.

“Your turn.”

Sitting up, her hands immediately begin to unbutton my jeans. Slowly, she lowers the zipper, and then I step away from her and kick them off. I went commando today, so my cock stands proud . . . for her.

My eyes find hers and she’s licking her lips. I send up a silent prayer that I won’t embarrass myself.

Without a word, she turns and climbs up on the bed. She settles on her back, right in the middle. Stepping forward, I take her in. Her long locks are spread out on the pillow, emerald eyes filled with heat, pink pouty lips, and a body any man would die to be able to worship.