Ensnared (The Accidental Billionaires #1)(14)

I opened my mouth to speak, but forgot every word I wanted to utter as Eli swooped down and captured my mouth.

For just a moment, I sank into the embrace that I craved, opening to him with a moan as his sensual kiss consumed me.

He’d been right.

I did want this.

I did want him.

I wanted him to take over so I could just feel the pleasure that was coursing through my body, enjoy the sensation of his mouth devouring mine.

Eli didn’t do anything halfheartedly, and kissing was no exception. His embrace was breathtaking. And probably addictive.

He lifted his head, the embrace nothing more than a tease of what could be if I’d just say the word.

Yes.

“Let me go,” I said as I pushed against his chest again. “I don’t want to be controlled.”

“I don’t want to control you,” he said huskily. “I want to be the man that you trust to take care of your needs.”

He stepped back and I scrambled to the trail, with Eli right behind me.

My breathing was ragged, and I stopped for a moment to focus on getting air in and out of my lungs smoothly.

Eli stepped in front of me. “I don’t want to hurt you, Jade. I never did. I feel the same things you do.”

I looked up at him. “We don’t have to act on the desire. What’s the point? For just a little temporary relief? I can do that to myself.”

Never in my life had I spoken to a guy about getting myself off, but Eli made me dare to say things I otherwise wouldn’t.

Truthfully, I really didn’t masturbate very much. I’d always been so exhausted from school and work that the time I got to myself was mostly for sleep.

“I’d like to watch,” he said. “And then I could show you how down and dirty really should feel.”

“You’re assuming I don’t know.”

He shook his head. “I know you don’t.”

How in the hell does he know?

In reality, I had no idea how to do dirty things. But dammit, Eli tempted me to explore every one of those options.

My craving for him terrified me, and I wasn’t sure why. Lots of women were perfectly capable of jumping into a man’s bed just to satisfy an itch. And Eli Stone was much more than an irritation. He was a full-blown rash that I needed to scratch so hard that my skin would become raw.

“Drop it,” I insisted. “I don’t screw a guy and walk away. It’s not my thing.”

I turned and started making my way back to camp.

“I wouldn’t let you walk away if you said yes, Jade,” Eli warned as he fell into step beside me. “Neither one of us would be satisfied with a one-nighter. I’d need to be inside you over and over again before I could get you out of my system. One taste would never be enough for either one of us.”

“I’m cutting this trip short right now if you don’t stop,” I said desperately.

Sweet baby Jesus! Eli needed to shut up before I did something I knew I’d regret.

I wasn’t casual about sex.

I’d only been with one man.

And I knew I’d hate myself if I gave in to Eli Stone.

Problem was, I could also end up regretting not experiencing what this man could do to me, even if it just happened once.

Later, was I going to wish I’d felt what it was like to truly experience a mind-blowing orgasm like I instinctively knew Eli could give me?

He was silent as we walked, and I didn’t trust myself to speak as we arrived back at camp.

By the time we’d hiked back, my brain was finally functional again.

Deep inside, I knew that I wasn’t really afraid of having a fling with a man who could bring me nothing but pleasure.

But I was terrified that when it ended, I’d never be the same.





CHAPTER 5

JADE



Later that evening, I realized that there was one good thing about Eli buying out all my spots in the class: it left a ton of s’mores for us to eat without other students around.

Eli hadn’t said another word about our personal dilemma, and I certainly hadn’t encouraged him. In fact, I’d been relieved when he’d asked me about other methods of getting fire if there was no fire starter available.

I’d taught him how to make a bow drill and a hand drill. Surprisingly, he’d been able to get an ember with both of them. By the time we’d finished, it was dinnertime.

Since it was only an overnight beginner class, I’d pulled out the hot dogs and s’more fixings for dinner.

“Mine is done,” I said as I watched my marshmallow turn a nice golden brown.

Eli chuckled as he handed over the graham crackers and chocolate. “You like to eat,” he said with humor in his voice. “I think you’re the most unusual woman I’ve ever met.”

Yeah. Okay. So I had downed several hot dogs before I’d started in on the s’mores. I’d stopped counting how many I’d inhaled after the first few.

I turned my head and glared at him. We had a nice fire going, and I could see the glint of amusement in his eyes.

I shrugged. “I do like to eat. I’ve never been a woman who could exist on salad and water. And I burn a lot of calories. But what’s so strange about that?”

Expertly, I slid the marshmallow between the crackers to melt the chocolate, giving the treat a good smash after it was in place.