Colters' Lady (Colters' Legacy #2)(34)

Her eyes widened. “It’s gorgeous, Dillon. You’re very talented.”

The large overstuffed sectional sofa beckoned. It looked so inviting and comfortable that she couldn’t resist trying it out. As soon as she sat, the cushions enveloped her and sucked her into the couch.

She kicked off her shoes and curled her feet underneath her. The sigh escaped before she could call it back.

Dillon stood several feet away, his eyes dark as he watched her. “Can I just say how natural you look sitting on my couch in my living room all curled up like you’re at home?”

It was the first time he’d said anything directly to her that hinted at a desire for her to stay. He’d kissed her—boy had he kissed her—but while Michael and Seth had been more vocal and forthcoming, Dillon had been quiet. Until now.

“I like seeing you here, Lily,” he said in a husky voice. “You belong here.”

He moved forward, slowly, like he didn’t want to frighten her. Then he sat next to her on the couch and turned to face her. He put his hand just over her knee and leaned toward her, his hand sliding up to her thigh.

“Kiss me, Lily. This time you kiss me.”

She sucked in her breath and then glanced at his hand still resting on her thigh. Tentatively she reached out and slid her palm up his arm, and then down to his wrist where his tattoo began. She traced the lines with her fingertip until she reached the sleeve of his T-shirt.

“You’re killing me,” he said. “Kiss me.”

Using his arm for leverage, she leaned forward, nervous but fascinated by the intensity in his gaze. He had a sensual mouth. Full lips that looked utterly kissable. And just enough shadow on his jaw to make him damn sexy.

She touched his cheek with her other hand and skimmed her fingers down to feel the rasp of stubble against her skin.

He closed his eyes and leaned further into her touch just as she pressed her lips to his in the lightest of kisses. He tensed beneath her fingers but held still, content to allow her to be the aggressor.

“I want to see your tattoo,” she whispered against his lips.

“I want you to see a hell of a lot more than that,” he muttered.

He pulled away and tugged his T-shirt out of his jeans and then rolled it up over his head. He had two sleeves from the wrists up. Matching designs that curled over his shoulders and licked toward his neck. There wasn’t an actual image—an identifiable picture—but a series of intricate lines and shapes. It looked exotic but still unfamiliar.

“How did you come up with this?” she asked as she traced over his shoulder until her finger came to rest in the hollow of his throat.

“Callie and I went to India and Nepal one summer. We saw some amazing art and tattoos. Callie took pictures and when we got back, we took the photos to an artist in Denver who incorporated the designs into a larger one that was reflective of all the places we’d been.”

“That’s amazing. And what an awesome experience. That must have been so fun.”

“Callie’s our free spirit. She’s traveled a lot. Sucks when she’s gone so much, but she’s been to some awesome places.”

Again Lily traced the colorful patterns with the tips of her fingers, but this time she allowed her hands to wander over his broad chest.

The muscles tightened and bunched under her palms, and his eyes narrowed to slits. He reached up and caught both her hands, holding them at the wrists, still over his chest.

“I have a better idea,” he murmured. “I vote we ditch the bike ride and I take you into my bedroom and let you explore my tats all you want while I’m inside you.”

Chapter Sixteen

Lily’s eyes widened, and her breathing sped up until little puffs of air blew over Dillon’s neck. He watched, gauging to see if he was moving too fast, too soon, but it wasn’t fear he saw in her gaze. There was interest. And answering desire. A little hesitancy but not fear.

Her hands trembled in his hold and little goosebumps spread across her neck and shoulders, making him want to lick every last one.

He burned for her. His skin was itchy and alive, and he knew he wouldn’t find relief until he was buried deep inside her. He wanted to hold her and soothe away the shadows and watch while she came apart beneath him.

“Do you want that, Lily?” he prodded. “Do you want to make love with me as much as I want to make love with you?”

She swallowed and then licked her lips in a nervous gesture he found endearing.

“What about Seth and Michael?” she asked in a low voice. Her lips turned down into a worried frown. “How is this supposed to work? I feel like I’m cheating on them.”

She tugged her hands free and rubbed over her face in a frustrated gesture. “I don’t know how this works. What I’m supposed to do. I don’t want to screw up before it even begins.”

Dillon’s chest tightened and then went soft. He reached out to take her hand again, pulling it away from her face. Then he kissed each of her fingertips to soothe some of the tension flowing from her.

“There’s no right or wrong way, Lily. If I’m moving too fast for you, just say the word. I just know that when I saw you, I had to touch you. I know my brothers felt and feel the same. If you’ve talked to Seth, and if he explained what they’re proposing, then you know they’ll be okay with this. They have to be. It’s the only way it works. I won’t ask their permission every time I want to make love to you.”