Bare Skin: A Billionaire Romance (21 page)

A man that was bold, solid, and rough in all the right edges, could be hiding a past or piece of their personality that would send you running the other way.

He called himself a monster.

But that doesn't scare me.

And it should.

True evil didn't help you set your name, true evil didn't—it couldn't—touch me the way he had.

I pegged Kash as a bad boy, a serrated blade that dug into what he wanted; only to fiercely twist out when he was through. Leaving your heart on the doorstep, and soul seeping from inside.

He wasn't a Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hyde... Kash was a Roman soldier and God. Built from heavenly steel and holding my heart in his hands.

Because he believed in me.

That was more than I could say for so many people.

Fear had been my safety, fear had saved me from heartbreak, from loss, from;
myself.
Turning that off, letting go of what kept me safe; it was hard.

But the fear of letting Kash in had morphed from that jittery, stomach-turning head shake, into excitement of what the future could be, of what we could be.

And that fear was the best kind.

A soft tap on my door heaved my lungs into my throat. My fingers skidded across each other, anxiously reaching for the doorknob. Pulling the barrier open, Kash stood a foot away, arms resting behind his back.

“You know you didn't even ask who it was. What if I was some serial killer stalker?” His lips turned up, ear tipping to his shoulder.

“Well then I'd get two for the price of one, I already have a stalker.” Giggling, I stepped to the side and fanned him in. “Come on in, I've been waiting for you.”

Crossing the threshold, he kept his arms hidden. “Are you calling me a stalker?”

Tapping my finger to my chin, I said playfully, “Well, you know where I live and I never gave you my address, you got my number and I never gave it to you, you know my dress size...” Pausing, I kicked a hip out. “Should I keep going?”

Nodding his head smugly, he tisked under his breath. “First, you filled out my clipboard the night of the tattoo, giving me your full name—”

Cutting him off, I pressed a hand to his chest. “Those questions weren't on there.”

“No, but I don't live in the stone age. You can thank Google for your address, and...” Biting his tongue, his grin widened. “You can thank your friend Beth for your number, among other info I have now.”

“Wait, what?” Shaking my head, I couldn't stop the laughter from hitting my lungs. “Beth? How?”

“Well, your very eager friend left her number on my paperwork you guys had. So there you go, mystery solved.”

“Wait, wait, wait. Beth knew about you, about us?”

“Not every detail, somethings are just for us.” Winking, his hand emerged from behind his back. And my chest snapped closed, crushing the ribs into my lungs.

Kash was holding out a huge bouquet of fanning pink Juliet roses. I was floored, not only because they're my favorite flower, but also because the bouquet was two dozen of the most expensive flowers I'd ever seen.

My hands flew up to cup my lips, eyes growing watery. “Oh my God, Kash. Are those—”

“They are, and you can give Beth many thanks for everything she shared with me.” Gripping a hand and pulling it from my face, he slipped the stems inside. “Willow, I'm not here to win you over by showering you with expensive things, I'm not here to try and bribe you to fall for me. I said it before, there's something between us and I can't ignore it. I'm only asking you for one thing.”

Squeezing the bushel in my hand, I wanted to shove them into my nose and feel the soft petals on my skin. I wanted to throw them on the floor and jump into his arms. My eyes wanted to cry, my heart couldn't stop racing, my head was a mess of feelings and desire.

“What are you asking me?”

“Give me what I want.”

“That isn't asking, that's telling. And I need more than just that, tell me what you want from me.”

Kash's fingers teased  through his hair, leaving it partly standing and sticking in different directions. “Give me the chance to make you fall in love with me.”

Inhaling a labored breath, my eyes welled up, tears sat suspended on the thin lid holding them back. “What?”

You heard him. Why pretend like you didn't?

Damn my awkward nerves!

“I'm asking you to give me the chance to make your life worth living, to make your dreams come true, and all I need in return is your heart, your love. Let me make you fall in love with me, Willow.”

“Kash, that's a lot to ask.” Tearing my eyes away, I wanted to regain control of myself. If I heard him correctly he basically said he loved me...

He loves me.

How can he love me?

“Willow, what if I told you that every day you cross my mind, that at night I fall asleep to thoughts of you. What if I told you I can't get you out of my head, and that since meeting you, for the first time in years, I feel. Like
really feel.”
His hands drew down across his beard, digging into his side. “I'm no saint, Willow James, but since meeting you, I see things differently.”

“I don't know what to say. Love is a strong word, Kash.”

“No, living is a strong word. And I'm not doing it unless I have you with me. I hurt a lot of people, Willow. My heart was black, my world could have ended and I wouldn't have given two fucks about it. I didn't have anything to live for, then I found you.” His large hands swooped in and captured my face. “All I need is that chance, give it to me.”

My lips parted to speak, the air seeped out, ready to tell him that love was a word I shut down and pushed away a long time ago.

I needed him to know about my mother, about the life that had cursed me from any form of true happiness and future love. Pain was all I knew, pain was all that tormented my body when that word was said.

My grandmother had done her best to show me that not all love was evil, that love could still be a good thing. But she was too late, I had been burned, the scars hardened and unbreakable.

I had wished for a day that weight would lift, and love could shine through.

That day is today!

How much more do you need to realize it's being thrown in your face?

Kash didn't waste any time. While my brain tried to find the words and I stood quiet and voiceless, he took that moment in his palms, crushing his lips against mine.

His tongue filled my mouth, gliding across the ridges. His fingers held me firmly in place, forcing me to accept his passionate need. And I did, I needed it, I needed him.

Every muscle in my body let go, falling into his solid chest. My breasts perked against the touch, nipples turning into firmed pebbles.

Kash's hands slid over my ribs, feeling each step with an intoxicating squeeze. “Let me make you mine, Willow.” His lips buzzed over my mouth, nose brushing the tip of mine. “Let me show you I'm the man you've been waiting your whole life for.” The gentle lap of his tongue licked my lips. “Because you're the woman I've been missing.”

His words turned my insides, unfurling any doubt that clouded my mind. Kash wasn't just a man, he was
the man.

The man that heated my bones, the man that made me question myself, the man who fused the flame in my eyes. He was air, ground, liquid; everything I needed to live.

Painting had been my outlet, my voice. But I was missing the most important part... Someone to share that with. Someone to guide me, to support me, to show me that life doesn't end on a canvas...

It begins.

Running my fingers through his hair, I dragged my nails over the back of his neck, clawing into his back. “You can have that, you can have me. I've been here waiting, not knowing what I was waiting for. When all along it was for you.” Gripping his collar, I tore his shirt over his head.

His rippled muscles were breathing in a ravenous pulse, eagerly holding back and striking out at me all at once. The bulge in his jeans shot out forcefully, slamming into my waist.

I couldn't tear my eyes from his. They were green, gold, silver, washing away any and all fears. He looked into me, not just at my body, not just at the pieces he wanted to tease with his tongue.

He looked into my mind, into my heart, into my soul. Erasing all my resistance, coveting my future and holding it in his hands. He had claimed me on day one, and right in that moment he had shed the label and showed me he was mine.

His arms swept around my back, wrapping me tightly. His biceps curled possessively, forearms tugging me in with primal desire. A low, deep grunt escaped his throat as he lifted me up off the floor, carrying me to my bed.

I had surrendered to him, to myself, to every feeling flowing through my body. His lips placed zealous kisses and delicate bites across my neck. Goosebumps broke across my skin, my thighs clinching to keep him close.

Yes, I'm yours. I've been yours.

You've held every piece of me, and I never want you to let go.

Don't let me go.

The mattress squeaked in place of my voice, the air between us growing hot and thick. Sweat had started to form across his muscles, the small droplets riding the stone mountains down to the small strip of hair escaping his belt line.

I couldn't stop myself, I had to taste him. He looked delicious, edible, taunting my tongue.

In one swift motion, I ran my lips over his stomach, tongue licking his heated core. He was salty, sweet, and I wanted more. Biting his ribs, he drove his hand into my hair, coiling the long strands around his fist.

Giving my hair a quick tug, he smiled as I gasped. “I've wanted to do that for so long.”

The twinge of pain was euphoric, my entire body shivering in pleasure. Kash was on his knees, my legs wrapped securely around his waist. Entangled in my hair, I couldn't lay back, and I didn't want to; I wanted him to pull it again.

“Do that again.” I whispered, my fingers skimmed his ribs, head arching to look up.

“You don't have to tell me twice.” Gripping tighter, he pulled again. This time with a little more force.

On reflex, my neck snapped back, mouth opening to release a long moan. That was the first time anyone had ever gotten a little rough with me.

And I liked it.

Prickles and tingles hit my skin, my lungs struggling to pull in air. A feeling swept my body that I had never experienced.

I didn't grow up in  a damn bubble, I'd heard of rough foreplay.

But to have it done to me, to feel the snip of pain and have it shock my lungs and heat my pussy, was amazing. I was dripping, slick and wet, ready for more.

I wasn't sure what I could handle, or if I even wanted him to get more intense with it. But in that moment, I was ready to experiment. Just a little.

Maybe he could spank me, pinch me...

Show me what I'd been missing out on.

His cock was engorged, the thick outline of his crown was clearly visible under his jeans. “Is it crazy that I liked that?”

“Not at all, Princess.” His hand wrapped my hair in another spin, fingertips scraping my roots. “I'll do anything for you. All you have to do is ask.” His teeth came down hard on my collarbone, biting the tender flesh.

A second wave of tingles coated my body, drenching my insides in hot temptation. Dropping my head back, he gripped the dip in my spine, holding me in place. My voice was replaced with a purring moan, ripples hitting every nerve.

“I found your switch.” He chuckled, lowering my trembling body.

“You found something.” The words were barely built, moving off my tongue on pure need. “I'm so wet already.”

Gripping his hidden length, Kash popped the button free. “So you're ready for me, is that what you're saying?” The metal teeth pinged in my ears, turning me rigid.

Biting my lip, I nodded as my knees pressed together, thighs sliding over each other. “Yes, I need you.”

Teasing the trim of his pants, his hips gyrated as he pulled the fabric down. “That's what I've been waiting to hear you say.” Kicking his legs free, he knelt over me in rich blue boxer briefs.

My eyes drifted to the erection standing tall, bouncing beneath the thin material. Every muscle on his body was defined, bright images were etched across his chest, covering his arms, and down his sides.

He was a human painting, full of pictures. Each one detailed and outlined in full color, a mural for my eyes. “You have so much more ink than I thought.”

“I'm about to give you so much more than before. Last time it was out of lust and demand, this time...” His hands reached under my shirt, clenching the hem. “This time it runs deeper.” Peeling my shirt over my head, he tossed it to the floor.

An animalistic moan fell from his lips, eyes flashing and hardening with emotion. His face held firm, head tilting as he pulled my hand to his cock. “This is yours, Willow.” Lifting my hand, he pressed my palm against his skin, raising it to his chest. “And so is this, this is yours.” His lips laid delicate kisses over my fingers.

My heart stopped. It froze, unable to keep beating. Because love needed to be grounded, love needed substance. And we didn't have any of that.

But Kash was so sure of what he felt, he didn't doubt himself. Not like I did. I doubted the love I was able to feel, I doubted what I would be able to let into my heart.

Each stroke of his hand, each word that left his lips; it beat in my ears, it careened into my brain and stayed there. It took place in my thoughts, melting into my veins, charging my muscles.

“I want to give you mine, but I need time.” My hand crept to his face, gently stroking his cheek. “I can promise you I'll give you a chance, if you can promise to give me time.”

“Time is all I have.” Kash leaned in, his lips taking charge of my face. He kissed me with feeling, he kissed me like I was the love he had lost.

He kissed me with lip, with tongue, with body. His fingers tore my shorts off, eyes drifting to the image he cemented on my body. A single finger danced over the picture, followed by his lips.

Kash kissed me all over, every crease, every dip and curve. His hands stretched around my chest, pinching my nipples and rolling them between his thumb and forefinger. They shot out, hardened with readiness to be bit, licked, sucked.