Near To You Read Online Free PDF Page B

approach but she didn’t tense up when he reached for her, just let out a sigh and eased back into his arms. His fingers dragged up her neck, through her hair, tilted her head to the side so he could taste the smooth flesh of her throat. Goose bumps rose fast and hard, her hand coming up to touch the back of his head and pull him into her further.
    Despite it all, his heart ached. This might be the only time this happened—even if he stuck around, she might never want more from him. He ingrained her scent in his memory—not the perfume smell of some women but fresh and natural, just soap from the shower. Memorized the curve of her neck, her smooth shoulders, the feel of her plush breasts as his hands traveled over her. Carved in him the little sighs and moans leaving her lips.
    No more teasing. He was painfully hard, pressed firm against the soft cradle of her ass, and he’d been aching all day for release. Brady reached over and shut off the water, turned her, and devoured her mouth again, locking her against the counter. She wove her arms around his neck, pressing against him, and he went lightheaded, consumed by the feel of her.
    He wanted her now. Right here against the counter, legs spread so he could kneel down and taste her cream. Or behind them, across the table, that luscious ass in the air and waiting for him. But despite all the fantasies, it had to be right—had to be respectful, memorable—in her bed among soft sheets, where he could lay her down and watch her writhe below him. He lifted her and she wrapped her legs around his hips, holding on while he walked out of the kitchen and then up the stairs.
    Her bedroom was dark, rising moonlight coating the space in pale blue; he’d passed it briefly on the way to her shower earlier, and knew to turn in there without the overhead light as a guide. He set her down by the bed, found a lamp on the dresser, and switched it on.
    Yellow cast a glow over her dark skin and her eyes, clouded with arousal, met his—held his. Immediately she began unbuttoning her shirt one button at a time. Though the action wasn’t specifically erotic—or at least not meant to be—there was something heartbreakingly charming in it. No pretense, no teasing, but her fingers trembled and chest rose and fell in quick, nervous breaths; he had the distinct impression she hadn’t done this in awhile. Not sex specifically—just the act of eagerly undressing in front of a lover.
    He leaned against the dresser and watched, taking her form in, coiling his hands into fists to keep from reaching for her. She cast the shirt on the end of the bed, standing in a crème-colored lacey bra that contrasted beautifully with her skin. Full cups caressed her firm, high breasts, and he wondered if her panties matched beneath her skinny, dark blue jeans.
    A wry grin touched his lips. “Pants too.”
    She cocked a brow but reached for the button on her jeans. “Demanding.”
    “Impatient. I—” He cut the sentence off, but then wondered why the hell not? Why not tell her? Sure, it might make her nervous, or she might think it was too much and ask him to leave. But if this was all she wanted right now, he didn’t have a whole lot left to lose.
    “You?” she prompted, thumbs hooked in the waistband of her jeans as she shimmied out of them.
    He watched the sway of her hips and at last she stood free of them, her panties all lace and boycut. “I liked you in high school. Really liked you. For a long time.”
    Her smile softened, wistful. “You should have asked me out then. Now I’m worried I don’t live up to expectations.”
    The woman was mad. Totally and utterly mad. But his heart eased a little and weight lifted from his shoulders. Sure, he’d kissed her today, felt her satiny flesh in great detail, but he hadn’t confessed that . And it was small, as far as confessions went—not even the big speech he’d prepared that day of graduation when he’d last seen her.
    But maybe it didn’t need