He’d only known Violet for a week, but there was something special about her. She had a softness to her, a calmness and class that he was missing in his life.
“You’re a really great dance partner,” she whispered, her fingers tightening on his shoulder.
“Helps when the woman you’re dancing with knows the steps. Knows how to move.”
He hadn’t removed his hand from her cheek. She didn’t seem to mind. In fact, she leaned into his touch, her eyelids dropped to half-mast, and a small smile drifted across her mouth. “Thank you for everything tonight. It’s been a nice birthday. I needed something like this.”
He brought their clasped hands down to their sides and instead wrapped his arm around her waist, his hand falling to the small of her back, fingers splaying against her slender frame. “You deserve a happy birthday,” he said softly, his gaze sliding to her plump, red lips. Her tongue darted out and ran along the seam, moistening them and making them shine. Adam had to push down the groan inside him that wanted to break free.
Her lips parted. Was it an invitation?
He wanted it to be an invitation.
He wanted her to welcome his lips, his kiss, his body. Welcome him to wrap his arms around her and absorb the hurt, give her nothing but happiness. She deserved happiness. They all did.
“Adam … ” she whispered. Their faces were close enough now he could feel small, warm puffs of air from her breath on his chin. She lifted her gaze to his. Her bright eyes, the color of hanging moss, were warm and curious.
He dipped his head low and tightened his hold on her cheek and back. She didn’t resist him. Instead she melted into his arms, her body seeming to find comfort in his strength, in his closeness. At least, that’s what he hoped. Gently, he tilted her head up to give him better access to her mouth. Again, she didn’t resist. Her eyes fluttered shut and her lips parted. He took his opening and brushed his lips against hers.
Her pulse raced wildly under his thumb where it rested against her neck, and when a soft moan slid up her throat, the vibration of it ran right through him, landing firmly between his legs. Her chest expanded rapidly against his. But again, she didn’t pull away. No, she wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss, opening for him, allowing him to slip his tongue inside to explore and taste. She met his demands with her own, sucking on his tongue and nibbling on his bottom lip. The woman could kiss.
Adam’s hand slipped down from her cheek to wrap more tightly around her back, supporting her as he bent her low, taking what she offered. She went with him, clinging to him with an almost frantic desperation.
They fed off each other, their tongues tangling, their breath mingled. She whimpered into his mouth, and he took the kiss deeper. Her legs parted slightly when he dipped her, and he wedged a knee between them, feeling the heat of her against his thigh. He pressed against the V of her legs, and she ground up against him. He pressed again. She bucked up harder. He was hard as granite, and she knew it. She also didn’t seem to mind.