She didn’t know if she was dragging this out because of hesitation or a twisted sense of sadism. “You’re going to have to learn to live with Lucifer.”
“I won’t make you give up your cat.” He twisted his mouth in amusement.
“Yourcat. She claimed you the moment she saw you. I’ll be lucky if she shares.”
He drummed his fingers on his leg. “Ale?”
“You don’t have hurricanes in L.A. That must be nice.” There was definitely more sadism in her motivation. It was fun watching him squirm.
“We have earthquakes. You realize you’re killing me about now, don’t you?”
That was her cue to relent. “I’m aware. It’s like I told you the night of my accident. If you asked me again, I wouldn’t sayno. I don’t want to turn you down. I need you. I love you.” She liked the way the words tasted, rolling off her tongue. “So, yes. I’ll marry you. And yes—I want to make this into a gallery. And yes—I’m happy to move out here if it means living with you.” She draped her arms around his neck and pressed close, memorizing every inch of the way their bodies fit together.
He dipped his head in, as if to kiss her, and then pulled back abruptly. “Wait.” He reached into his pocket, not letting go of her waist with his other hand. A second later, he produced a small velvet box and withdrew a gorgeous, intricate golden ring. “It was my great grandmother’s.” He placed it on her finger, and it slid into place as if it were made for her. “Nana would have wanted you to have it.”
“Only if you were giving it to me.”
He finally kissed her again. Light pecks along her lips, mixed with playful nips. “Then it’s a good thing it worked out that way.”
He guided her backwards, until she bumped into the shelf, and trailed his mouth along her jaw, down her neck, and over her collarbone. He didn’t smell the way he had in Florida. The scent of crisp rain and faint pine teased her now.
The intensity in his attention stole her thoughts. “There’s a huge open window on the side of the room,” she managed between gasps.
“There’s plenty of cover between here and there. And would you be offended if someone tried to sneak a peek?” He sucked on the sensitive spot where her neck met her shoulder, sending whispers of pain sparking over her skin.
She simply wanted this moment with Jonathan. Anticipation slid through her, making her pulse race and her nipples tighten. “More power to them.”
“Every single photo you sent me”—he drew his tongue along the edge of her ear, voice soft—“made me want you here, so I could strip you out of what you were wearing.” He pulled her shirt over her head.
“Funny. I just kind of stared at that picture of you in a tux.” She leaned back, using one arm on the shelf for balance when he kissed along the edge of her bra strap and down to the cup.
He slid his finger under the fabric, caressing her skin but not exposing anything. With each new tease and touch, her head grew lighter. She dug her fingers into his arm, needing something to hold onto.
“Just stared? No fantasies? No temptation.” He glided under the elastic to her back, unhooked her bra, and dragged her straps down her arms. When he looked her over, the heat in his gaze dialed her arousal up another notch.
“A guy who knows how to wear a suit is sexy.”
“Hmm.” He lowered his head to her nipple. When his tongue flicked out, she gasped. “Doesn’t take much.” He talked between sucks and nibbles. “Pants go on one leg at a time.” He moved a hand to her other breast. Massaged and pinched. “It helps if you line up the buttons when you put the shirt on.” His five-o-clock shadow scuffed her skin, driving up her desire.
She wanted more contact. More skin. She found the sense and coordination to loosen his tie. “Is it as easy to take off?”
“Easier. The buttons don’t have to line up.”
She fumbled her way through said buttons, losing her focus every time he scraped his teeth over her nipple. She shoved the shirt off his shoulders, and he broke away to tug his undershirt over his head before he resumed sucking.
“Better.” She traced his chest with her fingers, over the flat planes, down his stomach, and along the top of his slacks.
He pressed into her, erection digging into her hip. She dipped her hand lower until she reached his shaft—a hard, eager outline. When she cupped his length and then stroked, he bucked against her touch and groaned into her skin. The vibrations trembled through her breast. Dampness pooled between her legs, and she squeezed her thighs together. Could she get off from this kind of attention? If she were more patient, possibly.
She pulled his head up and kissed him hard, memorizing the crush of his mouth against hers. There were so many sensations tucked inside this, she needed to sear every one of them into her memories. “I want you inside me.”
His laugh was shaky. “I won’t last long if we do that.”
“That makes two of us.” She unzipped his slacks. She brushed his cock with her fingers, and he jerked into her touch. The heat and temptation drove her wild with impatience.
He yanked her jeans hard enough she was surprised the button didn’t pop and teeth didn’t fly from the zipper, and then shoved her pants to the ground. He kissed along her thighs and stomach as he traveled back up. Grasping her hips, he lifted her onto the table behind her. “You were warned.” He growled against her skin and dug his fingers in.