“We mostly used our hands,” he said, color rising in his cheeks. “But he and I . . . we never . . . we never fucked.”

“Hey listen, that’s cool,” I said, trying to shake that image from my head. The idea of Jude’s hands being on anybody else made me see green. “I’m not trying to do anything other than spend time with you.”

“Thing is,” he said, biting his lip as desire radiated in his eyes. “I want to have sex, Cory. With you.”

Chapter Twenty-four

I couldn’t help the soft groan that escaped my throat.

“But I don’t have any condoms or lube,” he said, shaking his head.

Fuck, I hadn’t even considered that. Besides, did I really believe I’d get this far with Jude?

I lifted his chin with my thumb. “I’m cool just talking or holding you, whatever you’re comfortable with.”

He stood up suddenly and his hand darted out for me to grab.

He led me down the hall and as soon as I spotted his bed, my heart climbed its way to my throat.

“I still want . . .” he said, backing me up against the door, his hip pinning mine in place. I liked this Jude—the same Jude I fantasized about dominating me, the same assertive voice he used on my table at Raw Ink and at the quarry. “I want you to touch me all over. To show me what it could be like to have something . . .”

“Jude—”

He placed his finger over my lips. “Don’t. I know what I want. And I want you. I don’t know if I’ve ever wanted somebody more.”

“Not even that guy who you said—”

“Not even close¸” he rumbled. “He was the first guy I ever actually felt something for. And if this situation between us were under different circumstances, I think I could . . . I could . . .”

I couldn’t bear to hear him say anything else. It was too damn much. “Jude, goddamn, we haven’t even . . .”

“You’re the only real thing in my life,” he whispered.

My heart stuttered in my chest. His brutal honesty humbled me.

He lowered his head, his mouth closing in on mine. All I could do was stare at how red and plump his lips were. The same lips I’d dreamt about too many times to count.

“Cory,” he said, planting his hands on either side of my head. He matched me size for size, so when he slid his leg between mine, I was totally lost to him. To his eyes and touch and scent.

My senses were on overload and I couldn’t handle much more. My pulse was roaring in my ears and heat was licking across my skin, so I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths.

I felt him move even nearer and his warm breath slinked across my lips. I remained motionless because goddamn, if he didn’t slant his mouth across mine anytime soon I might actually pass the fuck out from pure want and need.

I could’ve easily slid my fingers around his neck, yanked his mouth forward, and kissed him, but I wasn’t going to be a prick. He had his reasons for not wanting that intimacy, good ones I now knew, so I prayed he’d grant me that privilege soon.

I could feel the heat of his body as it buzzed over the tiny hairs on my arms, creating a shockwave. I didn’t know exactly what he’d done with other guys, but Christ, in that moment, I wanted to wipe the slate clean and have his only memories be of me.

I shuddered as his lips delicately fluttered across mine like a feather. My trembling fingers inched out and clenched his hip. His mouth brushed against mine again and I became hyperaware of the soft and smooth feel of his lips.

“Cory.” He recited my name like a delicate English ballad. God save the freaking queen.

“Open your eyes,” he murmured across my lips. “I need to see what you’re feeling when our mouths meet.”

I blinked my lids open, like a patient drifting out of a coma, that’s how much his words had seduced me.

He tilted his forehead against mine. “You are the sexiest man I’ve ever wanted to kiss.”

I groaned. “Fuck, Jude.”

He licked across my bottom lip and I hummed, angling my hips against his. My tongue darted out to taste his and he moaned so sensually that I almost came in my pants. Eyes pinned to each other, the tips of our tongues licked and skimmed, sampled and savored, until I gripped the back of Jude’s neck and his hot mouth sank down on mine.

He offered me several small kisses until I grasped at his waist and spun him around, hemming his shoulders to the wall.

The stubble on his chin was rough against my fingers as I tipped his face to mine. I angled my head and seized his mouth in an impassioned kiss. As my tongue breached his lips I was rewarded with a throaty and carnal groan. Everything about this man was sensual. From his eyes and lips to his hands and ass.

My fingers fisted his shirt as I pressed my body firmly against his. I could feel his dick slide against my groin as I straddled his leg and nipped at his lip. Jude opened wider for me and I slipped my tongue deeply inside his mouth.

Jude clutched my face as his tongue battled for dominance, exploring my teeth and gums and the roof of my mouth. By the time we came up for air, I didn’t know how many minutes had already passed. He drew his mouth away, his eyelids drooping, making him look as dazed as I felt.

“Damn, Cory,” he said, his voice thick. “You know how to kiss.”

I didn’t respond because we had already wasted too much time talking. I dragged my lips against his as I strapped him against the wall, my mouth plundering and devouring. We were all teeth, mouths, and tongues as we left bruising kisses across lips, necks, and ears and then fused our mouths back together again.