I’d only made it a few steps before he reached out and grabbed my arm, pulling me over to him. His voice was dripping with warning as he growled, “Rebecca.”
“What?”
He glared down at me with one of his looks, and my heart began to pound even harder.
Damn.
Why did he have to be so unbelievably hot? I’d never been angry with him, not like this, yet I still felt the same undeniable pull towards him that I’d always felt. I jerked myself free from his hold, then crossed my arms and looked him directly in the eye. “This isn’t some game we’re playing here, Thatcher. You can’t just keep giving me these non-answers. I deserve more than that.”
“I don’t have all the answers, Rebecca.” He took a step towards me, placing his hands on my waist as he closed the gap between us. “I just know I want more ... much, much more.”
His answer hung in the air, looming over me as I tried to comprehend what he’d just said. I lowered my eyes to the ground and replied, “I just don’t understand what changed or why.”
“I don’t understand it myself.” He brought his hands up to my face, his thumb lightly caressing my cheek as he spoke. “I thought I could keep you at arm’s length, but the more I was with you, the more I wanted you.”
“But it’s not just me.” I motioned my hand upstairs. “I have Cat, and she means—”
“I know, Bec.” His eyes pierced straight through me, pulling at my heart as he stared at me. “And I’m all in. I just need to know if you feel the same.”
There comes a time in a girl’s life when she has to decide if she was going to take what she wants or just walk away. This was my moment. It wasn’t an easy decision. I knew moving forward with Thatcher wouldn’t be easy. I knew he lived a dangerous life, and he’d admitted early on that his brothers had always come first and always would.
I wasn’t sure where Cat and I would fit in his complicated life, but my heart told me to give him a chance and that’s exactly what I was going to do.
I didn’t speak as I reached for his hand and led him out of the living room, up the stairs, and into the bedroom. I remained silent as I closed the door behind us, then wound my arms around his neck, pulling him closer as I pressed my lips against his. I slowly started to unbutton his black collared shirt.
I’d envisioned this moment so many times—the moment when we became more than just a random fling. Now that it was happening, I was overcome with nerves and desire all at the same time. I eased the shirt over his shoulders, letting it drop to the floor. My fingers trailed down his chest, roaming ever-so-slowly over the defined muscles of his abdomen.
His heart beat rapidly against his chest. I knew he was working hard to restrain himself, but he knew that I needed to be in control and he was giving it to me.
My hands dropped to my waist as I reached for the hem of my t-shirt. I pulled it over my head, and his eyes shimmered with need as he stood there gazing at me. Just looking at him made it hard to breathe, to think, and the way his eyes were filled with lust when he looked at me only increased my desire for him.
I raised my mouth to his collarbone and lightly kissed him as I whispered, “Thatcher.”
His hand slipped into my hair and tugged at the strands as he lowered his mouth to mine. My body melted into his as he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close to his chest. The tips of his fingers trailed along my spine, and I arched towards him, seeking the heat of his touch.
As we continued to kiss, a warmth spread through my body. It had started with just a spark, but it continued to build, intensifying with every touch.
He brought the tips of his fingers to the straps of my bra and brushed them off my shoulders. I shivered with anticipation as I felt the palm of his hand linger over my bare flesh. The lace fabric slipped slowly down my body, eventually puddling uselessly around my feet. He looked down at me, sending chills through my body as his eyes roamed over every inch of my exposed skin.
“So fucking incredible,” he muttered as he ran his rough, calloused fingers across my back.
A rush of heat rolled against my skin as he stood there staring at me, appraising me. There was no doubt he wanted me. I could see it in his eyes, feel it in his touch, and I felt the same about him. He was my every desire, all my secret fantasies wrapped into one, and he was mine.