Holding Her Close (Bits and Bytes, Book 0) (Bits & Bytes) by Allyson Lindt Read Free Book Online Page A

tugged the sundress past her knees even though there was no one around to be modest for. Was she making a mistake?
    Out of all the questions tumbling through her thoughts, that was the one she hadn’t hesitated to answer every time. She kept thinking she might feel differently each time it appeared in the rotation, but she still couldn’t convince herself this was a bad idea.
    She jumped at a knock on the door, hand flying to her hammering heart, and then giggled at her own reaction. Breathing deep, she tried to take her time crossing the room to answer.
    “ Hey,” was the only thing she could manage when she saw him. She stepped aside, gaze traveling over him when he brushed past. The tailored jacket hung off his shoulders perfectly; the slacks made his ass look fantastic. Holy hell he was sexy.
    Her hostess instinct kicked in when she couldn’t think of anything else to say. She latched the door and leaned back against it. “Can I get you anything?”
    He turned his full attention to her, steel eyes dark. “You.”
    That was cheesy . And she didn’t care. She stepped closer, forcing down her hesitation. “Easy enough.”
    “ Easy’s not the word I would have used.” He rested a hand on her cheek and kissed her softly. His mouth trailed down her jaw, to her throat, and over her shoulder. “I could go for intoxicating. Or distracting.”
    He was good at that. Getting rid of the unrealized sexual tension between them was definitely a good idea. She tilted her head back, sinking into every new sensation. “It’s not a negotiation.”
    “ Hmm…” The sound rumbled through her skin. “Says you.” He slipped a finger under the shoulder strap of her dress, sliding down to the top of her breast — but not lower — before moving back up again. “Pink bra.” He kissed along her collarbone. “Flared skirt.” His hand rested on her waist. “Wait. What were we talking about?”
    She relaxed further. This wasn’t the salesman who had worked his verbal bullshit magic at dinner or the instigator who had poked her buttons the other morning just to see her react. Would he actually let down his defenses for the night? If she had to admit it, she missed that person; the banter, the fun, the long hours just talking. She didn’t dare hope.
    “ You’re too quiet.” He nipped her neck, drawing a gasp from her. “That’s a start. Something on your mind?”
    No way she was spoiling the moment by voicing her doubts or observations. She broke away with a smile, pushed his jacket off his shoulders, and hung it on a hook by the door. “Only one thing.”
    He grasped her fingers and tugged her close, wrapping an arm around her waist. He kissed her lightly again. “The kind of thing you’d be willing to describe in vivid.” He caught her bottom lip between his teeth, tugging before releasing. “Lurid.” He bit her earlobe, voice barely a whisper. “Detail?
    Every new sensation sent another spark through her, making her lightheaded. She pressed against him. Why were there still so many clothes in the way? “I’m not the word master you are, and what I had in mind is a lot more hands on.”
    He slid around until he was standing behind her. His lips traced up the back of her neck, breath hot against her skin. “I like the way you think.”
    She tilted her head back and rested it against his chest. His palms glided up her stomach, the light but confident touch sending sparks of desire through her. His nose tickled her shoulder and then her ear.
    “ Strawberry, right?” His question was soft. “So intoxicating.”
    Every sensation was something new to lose herself in, and she wasn’t sure which to give her attention to next. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
    He brushed the bottom of her breast. She gasped and pressed closer, temperature rising, and growing wet between her legs at the feeling of his hard cock against her butt.
    He cupped the fleshy mound and gently squeezed until he reached her nipple. He pinched the