Best Friends (New Species #15)(24)

His expression tightened. “I’m trying hard to be good for you. I don’t want to frighten you, Mel. You mean too much to me.”

“I’m not afraid of you.”

“That might change if I get too aroused. Species tend to make a lot of noises that frighten humans. It would kill me inside if I frightened you.”

“Consider me warned, and I don’t scare easily. I want you to be yourself, Snow. I’m way tougher than I look. Don’t hold back. I can handle your sounds.” She smiled. “You’re like chocolate. I can’t resist. Let’s do this…we both want to. The nervousness we feel will only increase with all the sexual tension. It’s like ripping off a bandage. Let’s just get naked together. I’m willing to risk it, even if it’s awkward.”

“Why would it be?” He cocked his head.

Her gaze ran down his body. “You’re like a fitness model or something, Snow. Your muscles have muscles.” She waved a hand down her own body. “Nobody has ever asked me to do a porno movie, despite me tormenting my mama about it. You’re hot—and I’m average. I’m okay with that. It’s not like I have low self-esteem, but I’m a realist. You could literally have anyone.”

“Porno movie?” His eyebrows arched.

“Sex video. Whatever you want to call it. Directors weren’t beating down my door. Not that I wanted them to, but you know what I mean.”

He looked confused.

“Maybe you don’t.” She tried to think of how to word it better. “Super-attractive women get offers to star in sex movies. It’s not exactly a respected profession. Anyway, no one would ever approach me to do something like that. I just don’t want you to be disappointed because I don’t have firm muscles, and I kind of have a rounded stomach. Don’t look at my butt too closely, either. I’ve got some flab thanks to my love of pie and chips. I’m not going to look like those lingerie models do in ads. That’s all I’m saying.”

He grinned. “Good. They look as if they are starved and too skinny. I never think about sex when I see them. I wonder why no male is feeding them more.”

She laughed, relaxing. “I want to buy them a big bacon cheeseburger and an extra-large plate of fries.”

“Yes.” He stood and held out his hand. “We’ll take this to my bed. I want to do right by you. Are you certain, Mel?”

She took a deep breath and blew it out. Then she reached out and grasped his hand. “Yes.”

He pulled her to her feet. “I worry about my scars.”

“We went over this. I think they’re sexy.”

“You could have said that to be polite.”

“True.” He walked backward slowly, and she followed him. “But I’m being honest, Snow. Everything about you turns me on. Should I even admit that?”

“Yes. I feel the same way about you. Your blushing intrigues me. You’re doing it now. We’ll be good together. I’ll make sure of it.”

“Did I mention that I really like your confidence?”

He stopped next to the bed. “Cable hasn’t ruined me.”

She laughed, appreciating that he had a sense of humor. It helped her feel more comfortable with him and made him even more appealing. “You’re never going to let me forget that, are you?”

“I thought you were adorable. My goal is to explore every inch of your body and find out what makes you come for me.”

Her nipples reacted, beading under her shirt. The way his voice lowered into a growl made her hotter. Everything about Snow had that effect on her. “That sounds like a perfect plan. I want this to be really great for you, too.”

“It will be. I have you in my bedroom.”

She stared into his eyes. “Naked. Yeah. Let’s take off our clothes.”

“We could go slower.”

“Bandage, remember?” She let him go and bent, removing her shoes. Her socks went next. Snow hadn’t removed anything when she straightened, reaching for her jeans. “What?”

“I worry that you’ll change your mind if you see all of me.”

“Don’t worry about your scars, Snow.”

He nodded. “Let me help you undress. Be careful of your injury.”

She’d forgotten all about the stitches in her arm. Snow gripped the bottom of her shirt and slowly lifted, exposing her skin. Heat fanned her cheeks but she didn’t want to have sex with any clothes between them. He might see her flaws, but she’d get to see his, too.

He threw her shirt on the floor, and his gaze went to the lacy bra that Mary had helped her put on. It was the prettiest one she had. He reached around her, found the hooks, and undid them. He was gentle as he maneuvered the strap over her bandage and bared her breasts.

“Beautiful.”

Her nipples stiffened at his breathless comment. He tossed her bra on top of her shirt and gripped the waist of his tank top, not being slow about tearing it over his head to reveal a muscled, darn-near mouthwatering chest. The only flaws were some burn scars. There had to be almost a dozen of them.

A few were rounded, about the size of a quarter.

She wondered what had made them but didn’t want to kill the mood by asking. Questions could happen later. She wanted to trace every sexy mark on his skin with her fingertips and her tongue. She hadn’t been fibbing about finding his scars attractive.