Leaping over him, she tried to get him in a leg lock to neutralize his superior size and strength. But before she could get in proper position, he was on the move. They grappled, both silent and intent as they struggled for the upper hand. Damn it, he was more agile than she’d anticipated, and her initial thought of quickly bringing him to submission fell away.
They twisted and rolled in a tangle of arms and legs. Sweat slicked their bodies as each struggled for dominance. Endorphins ricocheted through Lainey’s body, every muscle and tendon on high alert. She was in the zone, her competitive spirit fully engaged.
Eventually, she regained the superior position, catching him in another leg lock as she angled to subdue him completely. Just as she was about to crow her victory, he shifted suddenly, flipping her onto her back. Before she could react, he got her in a full mount position, his knee on her diaphragm.
Try as she might, she couldn’t dislodge him. The pressure of his knee was making it difficult to breathe. She was losing her concentration. “Ease up,” she gasped.
He at once shifted his position, now merely straddling her chest. But then he did something completely outside the rules of either Jiu Jitsu or wrestling.
He placed his hand on her throat, easily spanning it with thumb and forefinger as he had done first at the juice bar, and again while she’d been tied down on the bondage table. He slowly tightened his grip as he stared down into her soul.
As before, the dominant touch sent a deep, shivery thrill through her entire being. Her limbs went slack, her heartbeat deepening into a thud that pulsed loudly in her ears. With his other hand, he traced a line over her collarbone with his finger. Her skin glowed from his touch, and something she couldn’t quite define seemed to soften and open inside her. She stared back at him, her previous determination to regain the upper position no longer important.
Loosening his grip on her throat, he lowered his head slowly toward hers. Her lips parted of their own accord. He kissed her long and deep, his tongue sweet and restless in her mouth.
He let her go only long enough to slide down, draping his strong, hard body over hers. His arms came around her, holding her close as they lost themselves in their kiss. His erect cock pressed hard against her thigh. Her nipples throbbed, her panties soaked. After a while, he lifted his head and stared down at her.
“Let’s go up to my room,” he said hoarsely. “I want to make love to you. I want to claim you properly.”
His words jolted her back to her senses. She had a hard and fast rule that had worked well for her over the years—no fucking on the first date. And claim her? What did he think she was—some kind of property to be won? Sorry, no. Not happening.
She twisted, slipping out from under him before he could stop her. She rolled to her feet, breathing hard. Things were happening too fast. Maybe she could just ignore that last five minutes and rein this whole thing back into her comfort zone.
She pushed her sweaty hair from her face and managed a grin. “That was the most, uh, unorthodox match I’ve ever participated in. I clearly had the advantage until I let you flip me, so I think we’ll call it a tie.”
He regarded her silently for a beat, his expression confused. Then a small, half smile lifted the side of his mouth. “Sure. We can call it that, if you want.”
He, too, rolled to his feet. His hair was adorably tousled, flopping over his forehead into his eyes. His shirt was rucked up, revealing a swath of flat, tan belly. He smiled, showing very white teeth. Her lips tingled with the desire to kiss him again, but she remained where she was.
He took a step toward her, opening his arms in an invitation.
She took a step back, aware if she gave in now, she wouldn’t be able to resist him. “It’s late,” she said abruptly. “If I’m going to catch the last ferry, I need to get going.”
“Don’t go,” he urged. “Stay with me, Lainey. Don’t run away from what you’re feeling.”
She wrapped her arms around herself, taking another step back. “I’m not running away,” she said, her voice coming out sharper than she’d intended. “It’s nothing personal. I really like you.”
He winced. “Ouch.”
“Shit, I’m sorry,” she said quickly. “That didn’t come out right. I don’t mean to minimize whatever’s happening between us. Yeah, I’ll admit you’ve stirred up some crazy stuff inside me. It’s scary, but it’s good, too. I want to explore it. I really do. It’s just that I have this rule—I don’t have sex with a guy on the first date. If I go up with you to your room, I’m not going to be able to say no.”