I slide closer to her. "You are a good woman. I can tell, and Gil told me, anyway. Can only imagine what drove you to the club, but it's probably to do with the erse who attacked you earlier." I hook a finger under her chin, lifting gently, easing her head up and backward. With the slender column of her throat exposed to me, I battle the urge to kiss her there and lick a path down her skin. "I'm not asking for one night. What I want from you is four weeks of sex and companionship."
"Would this involve conversation? Or strictly 'wham-bam, thank you, ma'am'?"
I touch my lips to her cheek, near the corner of her mouth. "No wham or bam. Aye, conversation—so long as it doesn't get too personal."
"I see."
She sounds vaguely annoyed, but desire makes her voice huskier.
I skate a hand up and down her soft skin, and when I speak, my lips graze cheek. "What do ye say, neighbor?"
She licks her lips. "I don't know."
Bod an Donais, I need to taste her again—right now.
I glide my hand up her arm and over her shoulder to cradle her neck. Her breathing has become heavier, as evidenced by the rising and falling of her breasts. I want to shag her right now, here on the sofa, in full view of the windows and the glass doors. Maybe she'd let me have her up against those doors. Christ, I'm off my head for sure, but I donnae care anymore. With the finger I have crooked under her chin, I slant her head up until our gazes lock and our lips almost touch. I'm breathing harder, more excited by the thought of kissing this woman than I ever imagined I could be. I shouldn't do this, but I need to do it.
Erica seizes my shirt. Her breasts heave even more as she tugs me closer.
And our lips collide.
I taste the faintest flavor of her, but I need more than that. While a soft wee moan escapes her, I plunge my tongue between her lips, surprised that she opens to me without hesitation and thrusts her tongue into my mouth. The flavor of her… It reminds me of something I cannae quite place, something decadent and arousing, like warm dates and whisky, though not quite like that. I relish the silky warmth of her mouth, and the way she coils her tongue around mine. She releases my shirt and sags into me, her body swaying the slightest bit like she's in a trance. The lass has entranced me for certain. Her hair tickles my cheek, and her breaths tease my lips. The need to possess her overtakes me, and I plunge my tongue in deeper, mash my lips to hers harder, and latch my arms around her so I can run them up and down her back, groping and exploring while I haul her body into mine. Her breasts are crushed to my chest, and I feel the stiff peaks even through my shirt.
I peel my lips away from hers and rub her arms. Bloody hell, that kiss… Are my lips quivering? I cannae be so excited, so desperate to shag her, that my mouth is trembling. I try to smile, but my lips refuse to cooperate.
Erica seems oddly calm when she speaks. "That was nice."
My brows shoot up. "Nice?"
"It's a compliment, Lachlan. Accept it graciously."
"Thank you." I enunciate each syllable with care, baffled by her reaction to our kiss. I must have sounded irritated. Can't help that. I try to quell my annoyance, with little success, and shake my head. "Aye, ye truly are a difficult one."
"You said you liked a challenge." She gestures at her body. "Can you handle this?"
"I can." She can't be about to accept my offer. And I might've sounded slightly annoyed again.
No, I don't believe for one second that she feels nothing after our kiss, despite her composure and her placid expression. She felt that kiss as powerfully as I had, but she must be embarrassed by it, for whatever reason.
Probably because I tried to talk her into a four-week fling.You sodding ersehole, Lachlan.
I stifle a groan—because I still want her in my bed for the month.
"Sheesh." Erica sighs. "You are awfully sensitive for a man who threatened to skelp my ex with a caber."
"Maybe I ought to give ye another kiss, full-body this time." I pull her into my arms and splay both hands on her back. "See if ye think that'snice."
She slides her tongue over her bottom lip.
And every time she does that, I want to take her right here on the sofa.
I rove my hands over her back. "I need your answer. Please."
She curls her fingers in my hair. "Yes."
Chapter Seven
My heart is racing. My skin has come alive with electricity that chases over my skin from head to toe, and I'm having trouble catching my breath. This is rubbish. I do not get excited because a woman says she'll have sex with me. But Iamexcited. Because of Erica. I need a bit of space from her. Otherwise, I'll have her naked on the sofa or the floor inside of one minute.