"You started it," I whisper.
He slides his fingers higher, grazing the edge of my panties.I bite my lip to stifle a moan.My hand finds his zipper, fingers brushing over the hard line beneath.
"If you keep doing that, we won't make it to my house," he growls, his voice thick with desire.
I lean in closer, lips almost brushing his ear."Maybe that's what I want."
His hand closes around my wrist, stilling my movements.His touch is firm but gentle, sending shivers up my arm."Not like this.Not rushed in the back of a car when I've been dreaming of taking my time with you."
The intensity in his eyes makes my breath catch.Even with the mask covering half his face, I can see the raw need there, carefully restrained.My body thrums with anticipation, every nerve ending alive and waiting.
He wraps my hand around his neck before leaning in to kiss me.I tangle my hand in his hair as he rubs my clit over my panties.
I gasp and try to reach for him again, but he stops me.
"No," he murmurs against my lips."Tonight is about you."
His fingers slip beneath the lace, finding me wet and ready.I arch into his touch, a soft whimper escaping my throat.The mask makes everything feel more intense, more forbidden.I can't see his full expression, but I feel his breath hitch as I react to his touch.
"So responsive," he whispers, circling slowly."I've imagined this so many times."
The car slows, and I realize we've arrived.Gage withdraws his hand, leaving me aching and desperate.
He helps me out, lips brushing my ear."My place or yours?"
As much as I want to be in his bed, going to his house feels like another line I'm not ready to cross.
"Mine," I say.
Chapter 18
Skye
Hewastesnotimetaking my hand and pulling me along the path to the guest house.Once inside, he closes and locks the door behind us, our safe bubble back again.
The moment the door is closed, he's backing me up against it.His mouth finds mine, hot and demanding, while his hands slide up my arms and pin my wrists above my head.I arch against him, desperate for more contact.The mask still covers half his face, making him mysterious even now, even here.
"I've wanted you from the moment I saw you tonight," he breathes against my neck, releasing one of my wrists to trace down my arm and my side, finding the curve of my hip."Do you have any idea what you do to me?"
“I can feel exactly what I do to you.”My free hand reaches for his mask, but he catches it.
"Not yet," he says, voice husky."Let's stay someone else a little longer."
There's something freeing about the anonymity, about being hidden even as we're exposed.I get it.It's the last shield.With the masks on, we can pretend we don't have to face this huge moment that shouldn't be happening.He's still the stranger from the party, but the moment the masks come off, it's real.
I nod, and he rewards me with another searing kiss that leaves me dizzy.His hands explore, pulling moans from deep within my chest.
His hands find the zipper at the back of my dress, fingers trailing down my spine as he slowly drags it down.The fabric pools at my feet, leaving me in nothing but the matching red lace lingerie set he chose.His sharp intake of breath makes heat bloom across my skin.
"Perfect," he murmurs, hands skimming over the delicate lace."I knew you'd be exquisite."
I reach for his jacket, pushing it off his shoulders.He lets me this time, helping me with the buttons of his shirt until his chest is bare beneath my palms.Even with the mask, I memorize every line of muscle, every place that makes him groan when I touch it.
He lifts me easily, my legs wrapping around his waist as he carries me toward the bedroom.My back hits the mattress, his weight settling over me like a promise.The mask hides most of his face, but his eyes, God, his eyes, burn through me, making my breath catch.His hands slide up my sides, fingertips tracing the edge of my bra.
"I want to taste every inch of you," he whispers, voice rough with need."Tell me I can."
"Please," I breathe, arching into his touch.