Hey Jude (Lennox Valley Chronicles #1)

I roll my eyes. “You’re a shameless flirt.”

“Me?” He sets the glass down, leaning forward. “Are you kidding me? You’ve been trying to destroy my self-control for over a week.” At my confused expression, he goes on. “The reading glasses?” A hint of heat returns to his eyes and he shakes his head.

I smile and look down at my food, fidgeting with the handle of my fork. “I couldn’t help myself.” My eyes lift to meet his. “It was too perfect.”

He narrows his eyes with a rueful smile.

I rest my chin on my hand and tilt my head. “You should’ve seen your face,” I say, grinning with delight.

“I probably looked like a man about to have a heart attack.”

“You did,” I laugh softly.

“Careful how you wield that power, MacMillan.” He raises an eyebrow and his green eyes flicker with desire.

We finish eating and Jude stands to clear our plates. He walks to the sink, and I let my eyes devour his body from behind. Again. I will never get sick of this view.

He turns, catching me in the act.

I grin and bite my lip.

“Hold on, were you just… objectifying me?” he asks with mock incredulity.

“Yuh-huh. One hundred percent,” I tease, finishing the last of my wine. “As you were.” I motion for him to turn back around.

“Alright, I’ll allow it.” He smiles, turning back to the sink.

“How generous of you.” I stand and walk to the kitchen, approaching him slowly, making a point of placing my empty glass next to the sink beside him.

He watches me over his shoulder, letting out a breath when my breasts graze against his back as I reach past him. He dries his hands, then turns to face me, sliding them around my waist.

Kissing my forehead, then my nose, Jude’s hands slip under the hem of my shirt behind me. He traces the bones of my spine with a finger, sliding his other hand down over my ass, a low sound of satisfaction rumbling from his throat.

My arms circle his neck, resting on his strong shoulders, and our lips meet in a slow kiss. My fingers drift through his hair to the back of his neck, then travel slowly down his muscled arms. Pulling away, I twine my fingers with his and lead him by the hand to the living room. I bite my lip as I guide him to the couch, seeing the heat in his gaze. He sits and I climb over him, straddling him on my knees.

Cupping my face in both hands, he pulls me down, kissing me deeply, fiercely, like he’s been holding back all night before unleashing himself like this. He shifts his hips forward to meet mine and grabs me from behind to crush me into him, letting out a soft growl against my mouth as his hardness presses against me.

My eyes flutter at his sudden intensity and I can’t help but move my hips against the delicious heat pressing between my legs.

His tongue sweeps into my mouth, searching, tasting, and sliding against mine. He bites my lower lip softly before he kisses his way along my jawline, then down my neck. Reaching my collarbone, he sweeps my hair back and I arch my neck as he licks me there, causing my entire body to shiver, all my senses firing at once.

I roll my hips as he grips onto my ass, pressing me closer, and trail my tongue along the arc of his ear.

He hisses a sharp inhale and softly groans, sliding his hands over my thighs.

Dipping my head down to kiss his neck, I’m desperate to feel more of him. I pull his shirt up between us, raking my fingers over his stomach muscles.

Fucking hell.

“Olena…” He takes my jaw in his hands and pulls me to face him. His eyes are hooded, his expression dark. “I want you in my bed.”

Yes, please. I smile, leaning in to kiss him again, craving him so badly I feel almost drunk with need. His cock pulses against me, straining behind the fly of his jeans. I run a hand down his chest between us, fisting his shirt, and crush my lips to his. His hands are in my hair, his tongue tangled with mine. The kiss deepens, getting wilder, like we’ve been starved of each other’s taste and can’t get enough.

He tears his mouth away again, breathing hard. “But we have to stop.”

I tense. “What?” I ask quietly, pulling back, the sting of rejection threatening once again. “Why?” I search his eyes.

He kisses my cheek. His voice is low and rough. “Because… we were supposed to do this properly.” He gives me a lazy grin, his eyes lingering on my mouth. I can tell he wants more, too, but is trying to control himself.