Page 209 of Claimed At First Sight

My thumb begins tracing slow circles over the fabric of Mia’s leggings, and a shiver moves through her body. She turns to me, and the desire in her eyes mirrors my own. Her gaze drops to my mouth.

I could ignore the invitation, but why would I?

I hold her gaze and press the button beside me. The privacy partition rises between us and the front of the SUV, concealing us from Philip and Leon. Only when it locks into place do I lift my hand from her knee and thread my fingers into her hair.

I draw her closer slowly enough that she could retreat if she wanted to. But instead of pulling back, her fingers grasp the lapels of my suit jacket, pulling me to her.

Her lips part just before my mouth claims hers, while my other hand settles around her throat. I apply no pressure, simply holding her there and feeling her pulse jump beneath my fingertips.

We lose ourselves in each other. Mia meets every stroke of my tongue, no longer tentative or merely responding, but kissing me back with a hunger that rivals my own.

For weeks, I have met her resistance head-on. I’ve tried reason, persistence, and certainty, only for her to dig in her heels and fight me harder.

Now, her body strains toward mine, and desire is winning. I may have been applying the wrong strategy.

The storm and penthouse stripped away everything she uses to resist me. Once we return to Aldo’s, I don’t want her to retreat behind those walls again.

I slow the kiss before drawing back just far enough to look into her softened eyes.

“Marry me, little rebel.”

Her lips part, but no answer emerges. My thumb moves over the frantic beat in her throat as I hold her gaze.

“Say yes, and let me give you everything you begged me for this morning.”

She searches my eyes for a few heartbeats, but instead of answering, she closes the distance and kisses me again.

I recognize the evasion, but I’m too pleased by her response to stop her right away. I allow her to take my mouth, enjoying the urgency of her kiss before tightening my hand in her hair and drawing her back.

“Is that a yes?”

Mia releases a long-suffering sigh, mostly, I suspect, because I’ve stopped kissing her. She takes a slow breath before answering.

“You know, that was actually the first time you’ve asked me. Sort of, anyway.”

I ease my hand from her throat but keep the other at her nape, unwilling to release her fully.

“I’ve always made my intentions clear.”

She lets go of my jacket and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, attempting to restore some order to her appearance. Her swollen lips make the effort pointless.

“You’ve informed me, announced your decision, and issued several thinly disguised commands. None of those qualify as asking.”

She gives me a pointed look before smoothing both hands over the front of her dress.

“What you just did almost passed for a proposal. I commend you on your progress.”

My fingers tighten a little at her nape. “And your answer?”

For several long seconds, Mia says nothing. Her gaze drops to my mouth, lingering there as her tongue glides across her swollen lower lip.

She remains close, her body angled toward mine despite the hands now folded neatly in her lap.

She evaded the question before. Now she appears to be considering the possibility, and I find myself waiting for one word with an impatience I rarely allow myself.

Her eyes finally lift to mine. The desire remains, but I see her answer before she gives it.

“It’s still a no from me.”