His head lowered to hers. “We’re nowhere close to even.”
NINE
Bayli’s breath caught. She gazed into warm, seductive brown eyes that made her body blaze and her inner thighs flare with heat and desire.
It was bizarre that she reacted just as vehemently to Rory as she did to Christian. Both men enticed her; both men made her blood sing. Both left her with the unyielding need to be stripped bare and ravaged. Until she was limp and boneless and deliriously happy. No dismal thoughts consuming her mind. No doubts and misgivings holding her back.
She wanted to be left in a blissful, mind-numbing state. Christian had started her down that path the previous evening, giving her what she’d needed, what they’d both wanted.
Now she burned for Rory to do the same. To pick up where Christian had left off.
Against his lips, she asked, “Can the duck wait an hour or so?”
A sexy growl escaped him. Exciting her even more.
“Some question to ask a chef. If you were any other woman, I’d say no.”
Bayli wound her arms around his neck. Pressed her body to his. Reveled in his flexed muscles and delicious scent. Her lips skimmed along his jaw as she whispered, “Show me I’m not just ‘any other woman.’…”
“Bayli.” The tote dropped to the floor and his arms snaked around her waist. Clasping her tight. But then he let out another growl, this one a bit on the frustrated side. He said, “Fuck.” Released her. Grabbed the bag and stalked into the apartment.
She sighed. Tried to get her bearings. Eventually followed him in. The man was so close to blowing his top—she sensed it, felt it. But he was Mr. Perfect who was also Mr. Responsible, it seemed.
Rory shoved the bag into the fridge and then raked his hands through his messy hair. He turned back to Bayli, who watched him with curiosity and anticipation.
He read her well. Read her innate need for him. He sauntered toward her in a predatory way and lifted her up, forcing her to wrap her legs around his waist as her skirt hitched a couple inches.
Another sensual sound fell from his lips. “I imagined these long legs circling my hips the moment I got a glimpse of them.”
“I really didn’t think you’d noticed anything beyond salads scattered on the floor.”
“You are impossible to overlook.”
He carried her toward the living area, which stretched between the entryway/library and the vast open kitchen and dining combo. Tall windows showcased the park, but Bayli couldn’t be bothered with admiring that particular view when she was staring at such a gorgeous man. And instantly fantasizing about all the things he might do to her now that he had her alone in his apartment.
He set her on her feet before the sofa and reached for a remote to flip on the gas fireplace and a little mood music.
“Mm, romantic,” she murmured as her lips grazed his neck.
His head dropped and he kissed her with the same reckless abandon as when they’d been at the market. His arms wound around her and he crushed her to him, her breasts pressing below his hard pecs, her belly cradling his erection.
Her fingers curled into his rock-hard biceps and she let him control the searing kiss, his tongue doing crazy-wicked things to hers that made her pulse soar and her insides sizzle.
One of his hands shifted and slid down to her ass. He cupped a cheek and squeezed roughly, causing her to rub against the powerful thigh wedged between her parted legs. And sending bolts of excitement through her.
That wasn’t enough for her and he seemed to know it—or perhaps it wasn’t enough for him, either. He jerked the side of her skirt up farther and then went back to kneading her ass, now it being her bare skin under his fingers. Her clit continued to grind against his leg. Her soaked thong no doubt dampened the denim he wore.
His fingers slipped behind the strand of her thong, nestled in her cleft. He stroked the sensitive skin, his touch scorching hot and forbidden as he rimmed the small hole with the pad of his thumb while caressing her opening with a finger.
Her body tensed involuntarily at the not-so-subtle probing.
She broke the kiss. “Rory—”
“Shh.” His mouth sealed hers again.
His long finger eased into her pussy from behind, and it felt incredibly good. A second one followed. He explored her wet depths and she opened to him. He pumped slowly but steadily within her and the tension began to mount, pulling taut.
He deepened their kiss. And Bayli knew she was about to lose it completely.