“Wouldn’t you like to know.”

I sat back, away from the erection lying across Hayden’s belly. It had yet to deflate, making it too much of an enticement. My orgasm had been unbelievably intense, but I still wanted more. More closeness, more touching, more release. I wasn’t sure I could handle it, though. Not yet with my only partially healed piercing, and the sexual heat between us. I stood up, using his thighs to brace myself as I rose.

“Where do you think you’re going? You can’t say something like that and walk away.”

“Oh, I’m pretty sure I can,” I teased.

His hands smoothed up the back of my thighs and went under the hem of my shorts. With a playful squeeze, he pulled me forward. He looked up at me, cocky grin on his face, chin resting just above my pelvis. The position was achingly reminiscent of the first time I’d seduced him into my bed. He’d tried so hard to resist.

He pressed a wet kiss right above the waistband of my shorts. The weeks since his mouth had been on me felt like an eternity, but I was already hypersensitive from all the over-the-clothes action. Additional attention below the belt could set back my healing time, and that wouldn’t do.

He lowered his head and the tip of his nose swept over the crest of my pelvis.

“I might be persuaded to put my mouth to good use if you tell me a little about your porn-watching habits.”

The shorts and my underwear were the only things preventing Hayden from doing just that. He was still mostly hard. It wouldn’t take much for both of us to be naked and sprawled out on the couch, or the floor.

I twirled his hair around my finger. “That’s a generous offer, but I’m supposed to go Christmas shopping with the girls later this morning. And if you start with that mouth of yours, I’ll be late for sure.”

“You went shopping two days ago. Why do you need to go again?”

“I still need to pick up a few things.” I’d bought most of the presents, but hadn’t gotten anything substantial for Hayden yet. I had a viable idea, but I needed Lisa’s help to execute it.

“What kinds of things?”

“Top-secret things.”

“What time are you supposed to meet them?” Hayden shoved his hands farther under my shorts, kneading the skin.

I had to clear my throat before I answered. “Eleven.”

He looked across to the kitchen clock. “It’s barely after eight. I have more than enough time to make you feel good before you go.”

“That might be true. But do you think if you put that talented tongue on me, it’ll end there? Once we get started, there isn’t going to be any stopping—and I’m not interested in being bound by time constraints.”

If Hayden went down on me and found what I’d been hiding, I was 100 percent sure that magnificent erection of his would follow. Sensitive or not, there was no way I could say no to him.

Hayden sighed. “You seem awfully intent on denying me the opportunity.”

“Not denying, postponing. I’m more than happy to take a rain check. We should go for breakfast,” I said, changing the subject.

“I prefer eating here.”

I ignored the comment. “I’m going to get dressed.”

He slouched down on the couch and pouted. He reminded me of someone who’d had his hand smacked for reaching into the cookie jar. I quashed the pang of guilt and headed for his room. Putting it off was for the greater good—mine more than his, but still, he’d be happy about it later.

I put on a warm sweater dress and tights. He stomped down the hall and appeared in the doorway as I smoothed the dress over my hips. He looked frustrated. And suspicious. Although his pants were back on, they did nothing to hide the problem resurfacing within. I focused on the mirror and dragged a brush through my hair, feigning oblivion.

He sauntered across the room, stopped a few feet behind me, and pulled the drawstring at his waist. The pants slid down his thighs. My eyes moved over his chest, down to his hips. Hayden picked up the discarded pants and strolled over to his closet, that massive erection bobbing. It would have been comical if he hadn’t looked so predatory.

As he turned his back, I watched his reflection in the mirror, taking in the gorgeous lines of his body and the artwork. The muscles in his back flexed when he dropped the pants into a hamper. The evil eyes of the shrouded-child tattoo followed me as he searched his closet for something to wear. He came out a few minutes later with clothes slung over his arm. I unzipped my cosmetics bag, making of show of applying concealer.

“You’re looking a little too hot for a shopping trip.”

He laid his clothes on the dresser and nudged me out of the way to get some boxer briefs. His underwear was folded in neat little squares, lined up according to color and type. He snatched a pair of black ones and closed the drawer roughly.

“Would you prefer I wear a pair of sweats?”

“Yes.” He reached across me to the other side of the dresser and I felt his erection at the small of my back. “I need socks.” He put his arm around me and dragged me back into him so he could open the drawer. I stayed perfectly still as that hard length pressed against my spine.

“If I was any more covered up, I’d be in a snowsuit.”

He skimmed my sides. “It’s the way this hugs all your curves that’s the problem.”

He moved away. Jabbed his legs into his boxers and yanked them up. The waistband snapped against the head of his erection, and he grimaced. He rearranged himself and went about getting dressed, having given up on coercing me. When he finished buttoning his jeans, he went into the bathroom and shut the door. Hard. The water came on.

A few seconds later the door flew open and slammed into the wall. Hayden’s expression was fierce as he stalked across the room and stopped in front of me.

“Why won’t you let me lick your kitty?”

I was almost positive my underwear incinerated on comment. I swallowed hard. “I don’t want to be late.”

“Bullshit. We have more than two hours. You can put your mouth on my cock, but I can’t repay the favor? You’re hiding something.”

Behind the accusation was hurt. Hayden was likely spinning scenarios born of paranoia. We were still working on rebuilding trust, and jeopardizing that with something as inconsequential as a secret piercing seemed silly.

I sighed. “It was supposed to be a surprise.”

“What was?”

“I got some new steel.”

“What? When?”

“That first day I came back. Lisa did it for me. It’s still sensitive.”

“What kind of piercing?” It came out sounding guttural.

“Vertical hood,” I breathed.

Hayden’s mouth dropped open. He blinked. And blinked again. “I wanna see it.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” I backed up and hit the dresser.

Hayden planted one hand on either side of me. “Why not?”

“Because if you see it, you’ll want to touch it, and we’re in your bedroom and the bed is so close and then we’ll be naked and I’ll want you in me and it’s not healed so we shouldn’t do that yet,” I rushed out.

“Just a peek.” His hips pressed against mine.

I put my hands on his chest. “Later.”

“Now.” He nipped at my jaw.

“Please, Hayden. It’s so sensitive—I don’t want it to take longer to heal. I’ll show you tonight.”

His forehead dropped against my shoulder. “This is like torture. You know that, right?”

“It’s torture for me, too.” But I needed to stay firm or I’d regret it later.

“I knew you two were bullshitting me about the nipple ring being infected.” His hand drifted over my hip and down to the hem of my dress, sliding under and up.

“What are you doing?” I asked, panicked. “Nothing.” His hand went into my tights from behind.

“It doesn’t feel like nothing.”

He kissed me softly.

I gasped when his fingers glided lightly over the smooth skin. “Hayden,” I pleaded.

“You said I could see it tonight. You didn’t say anything about touching.” His tongue slipped past my lips, penetrating and retreating at the same time as one of his fingers slipped inside me.