Brynn swung her legs to the side of the bed and rose on shaky knees. Reid’s hands moved up her arms as his eyes traveled over her. She’d never seen this side of him before—so focused and serious. Her nipples tightened beneath his hungry gaze, and the response didn’t seem lost on him. He skimmed his finger along the edge of one cup of her bra, sending tiny shivers through her. “Take it off.”

      The quiet authority of his voice melted over her like chocolate, soothing some of her twitching nerves. She reached behind her back, undid the clasp, and let the bra fall to the floor. Reid gave her a slow smile and reached out to cup one of her breasts, running his thumb across its hard peak. “Gorgeous.”

      She shuddered and he bent his head to draw the opposite nipple into his mouth, while continuing to strum pleasure from the other with his hand. The combination of sensations sent liquid fire straight to her core. She closed her eyes and let out a soft whimper, his tongue caressing her with painfully gentle strokes.

      God, was he going to be this slow and deliberate with everything? She’d burn into a pile of embers by the time he got to the actual sex. He drew back a bit and circled her areola with the tip of his tongue, carefully avoiding what she most wanted. She threaded her hands in his hair and urged him forward, wanting more, needing all of his mouth again.

      Cool air replaced his touch as he backed away.

      She blinked. “What’s wrong?”

      He pressed a finger against her lips, quieting her. “I’m in charge of your pleasure, not you. Trust that I’ll take you where you need to go.”

      Her throat went dry, but she nodded.

      “Take off your panties.”

      He stepped back and put his hands in his pockets, watching her, making her feel both wanted and vulnerable all at the same time. Her hands hovered near her hips, suddenly nervous about standing naked before him.

      “I’m not going to ask twice, Brynn,” he said, his voice calm but firm.

      She took a slow breath, then hooked her thumbs in her panties and shimmied out of them. His gaze ate up every inch of flesh, and the impressive bulge in his jeans twitched. Her body tingled beneath his clear approval. She yearned to reach out and touch him, to undress him and feel his skin beneath her fingertips, but she fought the urge to take over control.

      His hand cupped her hip and he dragged her against him, the stiff material of his jeans brushing the soft curls covering her mound. He pressed his lips to the pulse point below her ear, his palm sliding from her waist to the curve of her ass. Warm breath lapped over her skin like ocean water. “You know how many times I’ve imagined you stripped bare for me like this? How many nights I’ve stroked my cock just at the thought of touching you again?”

      The words turned her insides molten, the juices of her arousal coating her sex. She edged her hips toward him, seeking relief.

      He trailed his fingers along her backside, the cleft of her ass, the small of her back—each touch unbearably delicate. His voice was barely a whisper. “Have you ever touched yourself and thought about me?”

      Her face flooded with heat. She had. More times than she could count since she’d met him. But she had never admitted to masturbating to anyone. She swallowed hard. “Yes.”

      He groaned and buried his forehead against her shoulder, the first sign that maybe she was affecting him as much as he was her. She bit back a pleased smile.

      “When was the last time?”

      She wet her lips. In for a penny, in for a pound. “Last night, after you left.”

      “Fuck.” He lifted his head, his eyes meeting hers. “Like this?”

      His hand glided along her tender skin and dipped inside her channel, finding her wet and wanting. She tilted her head back at the sweet invasion. “Oh, God. Yes, like that.”

      “Mmm, so hot and ready for me, aren’t you?” The pad of his thumb found her clit and massaged.

      She bucked against the contact and let out a soft moan, sharp darts of pleasure shooting up her spine and radiating outward. Her nails sunk into his shoulders as she tried to keep from tipping over to orgasm. How could she be so close to the edge with just one touch?

      He chuckled, low and warm. “Don’t come yet, sugar. I haven’t given you permission.”

      He pumped his fingers in and out in a languid rhythm, and her knees began to quiver beneath her. “Don’t know if I can control that.”

      Without warning, he pulled back, removing all physical contact and halting her galloping journey toward release. She opened her mouth to protest, but he hushed her, using his fingers to gloss her parted lips with her own cream. He cradled her cheeks and dipped his head to claim her mouth in a scorching kiss. All her muscles seemed to liquefy, and she had to grab onto the bed behind her so she wouldn’t end up in a puddle at his feet.

      Far too soon, he eased back and gave her a chastising smile. “Hmm. Guess you’ll have to learn how to control it. Otherwise, you’re not going to get what you want.”

      She managed a nod, her head still spinning from the kiss. “Yes, sir. I’ll do my best.”

      He lifted her chin with his finger, forcing her to look up at him. “So, what is it that you want, sugar? Tell me.”

      She willed her voice not to shake. She knew he expected her to ask for her orgasm, but she yearned for something more than that. Something she thought about every day and ached to do anytime he was within ten feet of her. “I want to touch you. To please you.”

      Feral desire flared in his eyes, mixing in with the tension still rolling off him, an internal battle playing out in front of her. He ran a thumb over her cheek, staring at her for a moment more, then his expression turned resolute. He moved his hand to her