LEAD ME ON by Julie Ortolon (find a book to read TXT) 📕

God, he missed her. And even knowing it was hopeless, he still wanted her.

She turned as he headed down the stairs, and for a fraction of a second, he thought he saw a reflection of his own longing in her eyes. He’d wondered many times what he’d say if this moment ever came. Words had always been his ally, but they abandoned him now when he needed them most.

Crossing to her, he held out the bag. “I assume Paige explained I took them by accident.”

“Yes.” When she opened the bag to glance inside, he saw her hands tremble. “I shouldn’t have accused you the way I did. I’m sorry.”

The apology renewed that spark of hope, dammit. Was there anything more painful in life than hope? “Allison, do you think we could sit down and talk for just a minute?”

“I... I can’t.” Tension radiated from her body as she clasped the bag to her chest. “I need to go.”

“Do you hate me so much you can’t even sit and talk this out?”

“I don’t hate you.” She pressed a hand over her eyes. “I wish I did. Oh God, I wish I did. If only I could hate you, I’d quit wondering if it might have worked.” A ragged sob escaped her. “I have to go.”

She turned to flee, but he grabbed her arm. “Allison, wait.”

“No! Please ...” She bit her lip to regain control. Seeing him again was so much harder than she’d imagined. “Please don’t touch me. I can’t stand it.”

“Why not? If you don’t hate me—”

“Because I still want you.” She turned back, drinking in the sight of him standing there with his damp black hair and black beard stubble. He’d never looked more desirable. “I don’t even know who you are, but I remember the illusion and I want it to be true. I want you to be Scott Lawrence and in love with me. Why can’t you be who I thought you were?”

“I am Scott Lawrence,” he said with quiet force. “And I never lied about loving you.”

She searched his face, wanting desperately for the words to be true. “I wish I could believe you.”

“I love you, Allison.” He cupped her face and stared into her eyes as if willing her to believe. “Dammit, I love you so much, it’s ripping me up inside.”

She shook her head as tears tumbled down her cheeks.

“Please believe me.” He pressed his forehead to hers. “I am Scott Lawrence, and I love you with everything that’s inside of me. I love you.”

A sob went through her as she circled her free arm around his neck. His lips moved over her face until his mouth covered hers. Desire rushed through her as she kissed him back, welcoming his taste. The need to touch him one last time outweighed reason. She pushed his shirt aside to run her hands over his sun-heated flesh and taut muscles.

“I want you so much,” she cried against his chest. “I can’t stop wanting you.”

“You don’t have to stop.” He took the canvas bag from her, set it on the glass and chrome coffee table. His fingers fumbled as he worked the buttons down the front of her dress. “Don’t ever stop.”

Cool air brushed her skin as the dress fell to the floor. His hands covered her breasts, making her arch with need. Together, they stumbled toward the sofa, shedding the last remnants of clothing. He pulled her down with him, kissing her neck, her shoulder, her breasts.

She couldn’t stop touching and kissing his body. Even as grief clogged her throat, she climbed on top of him, running her hands and her mouth over his torso. His body quivered as he pulled her to him for an openmouthed kiss, both of them ravenous. She reached between their bodies, took hold of him. Lifting her hips, she pressed his hardened length to her, desperate to feel him inside her again.

“Alli, no!” He jerked back. “I don’t have a condom.”

“I don’t care,” she wept and sank down hard and fast, taking all of him at once. He bucked to unseat her, but only drove himself deeper. She leaned forward to whisper in his ear. “Love me one last time. Please love me.”

“I do.” With a groan, he pulled her mouth to his for a soul-stirring kiss. His hands ran over her body, caressing and encouraging. As the pleasure built, she arched back, losing herself in the feel of him hard and deep inside her. He cupped her breasts, making her moan, before he trailed one hand down her stomach to where they were joined.

The moment he touched her, bright spots of pleasure danced through her. She looked down at him and saw the determination in his eyes as he focused all his attention on pleasing her, even as he gritted his teeth to hold his own climax at bay.

No, she wanted to moan. Come with me. Be with me. Tightening her muscles, she rode him harder, wanting the emotional connection they’d shared.

But it was gone. She’d thrown that closeness back in his face, and now even as he tried to please her body, he didn’t trust her not to hurt him again. She didn’t know how she knew, she just felt it, felt him holding himself back from her. The loss crashed through her. She wanted all of him. Leaning forward, she kissed the pulse point in his neck the way that made him shiver, and ran her hands over him, desperate to recapture what she’d rejected. She could feel the connection, the mutual joy, so close, so close.

She tightened around him, but her efforts sent her over the edge without him.

An instant after she peaked, he pushed her hips up so he could pull out, then he clasped her to him as his body bucked and he released his seed against her stomach. No! she wanted to scream, devastated that he gave her physical pleasure but denied her the rest. Denied her the emotional