Her head falls back on the carpet as her breathing normalizes. Even though I should get off her, I can’t move. She licks her lips and inhales deeply. There’s a complete disconnect between my brain and common sense. Logically, I know the expression on her face is just a normal reaction to needing more oxygen. But her eyelashes flutter, her breasts heave at the top of her sweater, and she smells so fucking good… fuck.
FUCK.
Blood is rushing south, well, more blood. I wasn’t exactly flaccid before tackling her, but this is quickly getting worse. My dick swells harder against her hip. If there was ever a hope that she wouldn’t notice, it evaporates when she moves under me, rolling her shoulders, effectively pressing her breasts against my chest.
My dick jumps involuntarily and Julia’s eyes open wide, staring up at me, our faces inches apart.
I try to move, but my knee twinges and it makes me slower than I should be. “Sorry, I—”
Before I can finish my fumbled apology, Julia slides a hand around the back of my neck, leaning up and pressing her lips to mine. Her soft citrus scent invades my senses, shutting out thought and reason. She’s soft and warm, and when I kiss her back, pulling her lower lip between mine, she lets out a breathy little moan.
I cup her jaw, stroking her cheek with my thumb, partly just to prove to myself this is real. Julia runs her hand down my neck and grips my shoulder. Slipping my fingers in the hair at the nape of her neck, I hold her in place, kissing her with parted lips. My heartbeat thunders in my ears as our tongues meet. Julia teases with little flicks and strokes like she’s begging to be caught. I stroke into her mouth, tangling with her, and she moans, her back arching into me.
She sets my blood on fire and something inside me lets loose. My hand goes to her side, winding under her shirt to stroke the bare skin over her ribs. Julia shivers, the muscles under my hand tightening.
I trail my fingers along her rib cage, tracing the band of her bra. She clings to my shoulder, arching under my touch.
How many times have I imagined kissing her? Touching her? There are so many reasons I shouldn’t be doing this, but honestly, I don’t give a flying fuck about any of them. I can’t let her go now that I know how amazing this feels. Not if she wants me half as bad as I need her.
I pull back to look at her.
Julia licks her lips, looking up at me through lust-heavy eyelids. “Why’d you stop?” she whispers, her breath warming my neck. I stare at her, speechless for a heartbeat. She’s so beautiful it hurts to look at her. I am in deep fucking trouble.
Giving my head a tiny shake, I say, “Just wanted to see you.”
Her lips lift to one side in an adorable smirk. “Well, take a good look, sailor.”
Gripping the back of her neck, I kiss her, hard and deep, taking control of her mouth. She moans, the sound reverberating through my body. I turn her head to the side, kissing along her jaw, nipping at her earlobe. Her hands on my back hold me close, and every time I do something she particularly likes, she writhes against me, her fingertips digging into my skin just a little more.
I run my hand up the side of her breast, cupping the generous swell and rasping my thumb over her hardened nipple through the lace.
“Mateo,” she gasps my name, arching against my hand.
I groan at the sound of my name on her lips. Something primal and possessive roars in my chest. I don’t want her to ever say another man’s name again.
Her hips move restlessly under me. I shift, pressing a thigh between her legs. She wraps her leg around the back of mine, in unspoken approval. I can feel the heat of her through my pant leg. It’s almost more than I can bear to be separated by these Goddamn clothes.
I give her neck a little bite and bring my mouth back to hers, swallowing her moan. I’m so lost in her that I almost miss the sound of the front door rattling. Yanking my hand out of Julia’s shirt, my body tenses over her. Her brow furrows, and she opens her mouth, no doubt to ask what’s wrong with me, but I cover her mouth and shake my head. Her eyes widen, alarmed and, if I’m not mistaken, pissed off. For half a second, I’m pretty sure she’s going to lick my palm, but she restrains herself.
Glancing up, I assess the room. If anyone comes through the front door, we’re shielded from view by the couches, but it’s not exactly ideal cover. I push up over her, getting my good leg underneath me as I crouch, peering over the back of the couch. The door opens and, when I see who’s on the threshold, I almost wish it was the damn doctor.
13
Julia
Mateo captures my mouth and all I can feel and hear, and taste is him. My head is buzzing, my heart racing out of control. He strokes a thumb over my nipple and, even through the material, it sends electricity snapping through my body. Every dirty thought I’ve had to push out of my mind the last few days comes pouring back in and I nearly come apart at the seams.
He kisses like a God and turns my body into putty in hisbig, rough hands. And maybe I shouldn’t be surprised but, holy shit. This is Mateo. It’s Mateo’s thigh pressed between my legs. Mateo, with his hand inside my shirt, sending goosebumps over my skin. A voice in the back of my head is screaming,This! This is what’s been missing!
But then his hand is gone, the warm weight of his body lifting away. He breaks the kiss, looking tense. I try to ask what’s wrong, but he clamps his hand over my mouth, silencing me. For a split second, I’m tempted to put my self-defense classes to good use and shove him off of me, but he shakes his head, glancing up toward the front door. He crouches next to me, holding a hand out, motioning me to stay down.
I hear the door open, and my heart stops when I hear my brother’s voice.
“Julia?” Lukas calls out. Mateo drops, looking borderline panicky. Oh, for fuck’s sake.
“Got it!” I call out. I pinch an imaginary spot on the floor and pop up to look over the back of the couch at my brother. “Lukas! What are you doing here?” I force as much chipper surprise and excitement into my voice as I can muster.
Parker peeks out from behind Lukas. “What are you doing on the floor, Julia?” she asks.