I nodded again. Oh god, he smelled woodsy and fresh. So masculine. So right. His firm hand slid up my spine to nestle in the back of my hair. He spun so that he leaned against the wall, pulling me to him.
“If you want something, sweetheart, I think it would do you a world of good to just take it.”
Somehow, that statement was like a bucket of cold water. Terrifying for a split second, then invigorating. Why shouldn’t I kiss him first? He obviously wanted me to. Then I realized that if I started it, he didn’t have to feel guilty about taking advantage of a tipsy girl.
Before I could overthink everything in the entire world to pieces any more, I stretched up, pressing my lips firmly to his. His arms tightened, pulling me close as we both seemed to fall into another dimension.
There were now two realms of existence. Reality, and kissing this man. His mouth was so warm, soft. My lips parted slightly, and his followed. I felt the touch of his tongue and wasn’t even embarrassed by my audible moan. Flames were licking up the backs of my thighs, and my hips shamelessly pressed to his.
I didn’t want to ever leave this new world, opening myself completely as our bodies dissolved into each other. The spark I felt everywhere he touched me was almost dangerous, and I would have done anything for more. Anything.
I felt like a new person. His kisses were energizing. Powerful. I could have cried in relief at finding this new existence where everything was soft and warm and he held me so close.
In this deafening, fast-moving place, we were nearly perfectly still. He was so gentle, slowly moving his lips against mine as he nudged our bodies together. My nipples tightened against the heat of his shirt, and I felt him stirring between our hips.
I had no idea how long we slowly kissed while people bounced around us. It was a strange dreamworld. Then some rude person grabbed my arm, shaking me.
Starting to glare, I saw that it was Kelly, holding another shot for me. The man released me, but I liked the way he kept a hand on my hip, almost possessively.
Slamming the shot in a split second, I handed her back the glass as she leaned in to tell me, “I’m so fucking proud of you right now! Go for it.” Then she pranced away to meet back up with the bearded guy over by the bar.
The hand on my hip guided me to the back of the room, away from the lights to a darker corner with couches. It was still busy, but it was easier to hear.
“I’m Eric,” he murmured against my ear. The way his lips brushed against my skin was so seductive.
“Eden.”
His deep eyes crinkled slightly as he grinned. “Yes, being with you is paradise, but what’s your name?”
Laughing, I teasingly slapped his shoulder, then my hand ran down his chest. Cheese and crackers, this dude worked out.
But instead of kissing me again, he just wrapped his arms around me. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be kissing you,” he murmured. “That whole total strangers thing.” Then he chuckled. “Even though your friend is… what did she say? So fucking proud of you?”
I shook my head, giggling. Then he gently cupped my chin, turning my head up to look at him. “Tell me why she’s so fucking proud,” he said.
It felt like a command, and I was confused as to why it sent yet another wave of raw lust through me.
“Um, I’m usually really shy around men. So, she’s so… darn proud of me for dancing with someone, I guess.”
His dark eyes blazed. “Say the word ‘fuck’ for me.”
“No.”
Eric howled with laughter, but it wasn’t mean spirited in the slightest. “What do you say when you stub your toe?”
“Son of a pirate. Or maybe, sassafras.”
“Are you a nun?”
I giggled, my body pulling to his a bit more. “My grandmother taught me that ladies don’t curse. Then I was a babysitter for a while when I was seventeen, and the kids had completely foul mouths. I taught them to make up funnier curses, because making people laugh is always better than being crass. Also, I’m studying English, and writing, so I should have a varied vocabulary.”
He looked at me in wonder. “You’re absolutely adorable.”
We were swaying slightly to the awful music, and I felt a wild adrenaline rush brewing in the pit of my stomach. Or, more likely, it was the third shot. I usually stopped at two, but this extra kick was helping me speak openly to him.
“Tell me to stop kissing you,” Eric whispered into my ear. Then he kissed down the side of my neck.
“No, don’t stop.”