I growled and nipped at her shoulder. She let out a soft cry. Despite the desire in the sound, I reined myself in. I couldn’t mark her with my teeth as I wanted to. I wouldn’t mar the smooth perfection of her skin with my bite.
Aching to explore her curves, I reached between us and cupped her breast. I could feel her peaked nipple through her dress, and I realized she wasn’t wearing a bra. I groaned into her mouth, loving the shape and feel of her lush body. Her moan mingled with my sound of pleasure, and she thrust her chest into my touch.
I played with her like that for a long time, learning her body and her sensual triggers. She writhed and moaned beneath me, clinging to me as I teased her and tasted her. I wanted to know everything about her. I wanted to know how hot and silky smooth her pussy would be if I touched her there. I could practically smell her desire, and I knew she was wet and welcoming.
Not tonight, I told myself. I’d promised her I wouldn’t push for sex. I’d honor the trust she’d shown me.
“Please,” she said on a throaty groan. “Please, Joseph.” She rocked her hips against my thigh, seeking stimulation.
The sound of her husky voice caressing my name as she begged for my touch cracked some of my resolve.
“You want to come, angel?” I asked, using the endearment without realizing.
“I…I need…” She was too shy to ask for what she wanted.
“I have to hear you say it. I need your consent.”
I need to hear you beg. I need to hear the dirty words falling from your sweet lips.
“Please touch me.”
I eased one hand beneath the hem of her dress, gliding my palm up her thigh. Her skin was even softer than I’d imagined, and I bit back a growl of desire as my dick throbbed.
When I reached her wet heat, I teased my fingers along the edge of her lace panties.
“Touch you, where?” I prompted. “Here?” I brushed my thumb across her clit through the barrier of the lace, and she cried out.
“Yes!”
“Say it,” I commanded, unable to hold back my more domineering nature now that I had her squirming and begging. “Ask me to touch your pretty pussy.”
She hesitated, her embarrassment creeping back. I found her innocence delicious, but I found corrupting that innocence even more appealing.
I withdrew my hand, silently communicating that she wouldn’t get the reward she wanted until she obeyed.
“Wait! Please, Joseph. Please touch my…”
I waited, refusing to cave until she gave me what I wanted.
“Please touch my pussy.” It was barely more than a whisper, but the words went straight to my head, suffusing me with power that was even more intoxicating than my physical desire for her.
I took her lips again, my chest rumbling with pleasure as I dipped my fingers beneath her panties. She was just as hot and silky soft as I’d hoped: wet and ready for me. I longed to get inside her, to fuck her and brand her with my own heat.
But I’d made a promise, and I’d never betray her sweet trust in me.
I circled her clit with my thumb, teasing around it. Even the light touch elicited a harsh shout from her, and I caught the sound of her pleasure on my tongue. All it took was a direct, firm touch to her clit, and she came undone. She tensed beneath me, and her fingers curled into my upper arms as she clung on tight. She screamed out her ecstasy, and I smothered the sound with a rough, possessive kiss.
I stroked her for a few seconds longer, withdrawing my hand when she began to shudder. She would be sensitive after such a powerful orgasm, and I didn’t want to torment her. Not this first time, anyway.
I finally released her lips, and she stared up at me, breathing hard. She reached between us, and her fingers brushed my rock-hard cock through my jeans.
I swallowed a curse and grasped her wrist, directing her touch away from my aching dick.
“No,” I refused. “Not tonight.”
“But what about you?”
“I’ll be okay,” I promised, although my gut was knotted with tension. I didn’t want her to do anything she’d regret in the morning. I never wanted her to regret spending this night with me.
“Come here,” I urged, rolling off her and positioning myself on my side. I pulled her body against mine, and she tucked her face into my neck with a contented little sigh. The sound eased some of the knots in my stomach, and my lust subsided a little.
I kissed the top of her head, and she began to breathe deeply, falling asleep quickly after her orgasm.
I lay awake for a long time after, relishing the feel of her in my arms. I was still hard for her when I finally drifted into sleep.
I woke up before Ashlyn the following morning. In the light of dawn, the possessive haze that’d descended on my mind the night before began to clear.
I wasn’t some fucking hero, no matter how Ashlyn’s wide eyes had shined when she placed her hand in mine. She’d looked to me for protection, but she’d been shaken after her encounter with that handsy asshole. If I hadn’t been the one to force Stu away from her, she might’ve been rescued by some other, more noble guy. She never would’ve had reason to allow me to escort her home.
I should’ve had more self-control. I shouldn’t have been a fucking idiot and deluded myself into thinking that I was actually good for her.
I knew I should leave. I should go to my shithole apartment, gather my few belongings, and get out of Cambridge. I should leave her behind so that no one from my old, violent life could threaten her because of me.
But then she opened her lovely eyes, and I knew I couldn’t do it. Her soft, sleepy smile pierced my chest and hooked somewhere deep inside me, tethering me to her.
“Hi,” she said, her voice raspy from sleep. The husky tone went straight to my cock, and I took a breath to suppress my lust.
A crooked smile curved my lips, and I tucked a stray lock of dark hair behind her ear, caressing her face as though I had every right to touch her so casually. “Hi. Sleep well?”
She breathed out a happy sigh and pressed her cheek against my chest. “Wonderfully, thanks.” She wrapped her arms around me and snuggled in, as though she couldn’t stop clinging to me.
I knew the feeling. I held her closer, relishing her soft, floral scent.
She curved her leg over my hip, and my cock throbbed. I gritted my teeth and forced myself to pull away from her.
“I have to go,” I told her, pain roughening each forced word.
Her eyes clouded, confusion and a touch of hurt darkening their blue depths.
“Oh. Will I see you later?” Some of her shyness returned, softening her tone to little more than a whisper.
“Of course,” I heard myself say before I could stop the promise from leaving my lips. When she looked at me like that—needy and achingly vulnerable—I couldn’t refuse her. I couldn’t bring myself to hurt her.
And truthfully, I didn’t want to bear the pain of leaving her.
I pressed a kiss against her forehead. If I couldn’t do the honorable thing and leave her alone, I’d at least treat her like she deserved. “I’ll take you out to dinner. I’ll pick you up tonight.”
After a few more lingering kisses, I managed to pry myself away from her so she could get ready for class.
Although guilt twisted my gut, the unpleasant sensation couldn’t dull the warm, hopeful glow in my chest. Maybe I could lead a normal life here. Maybe Ashlyn could be mine.