That silenced her. She was flabbergasted.

His gaze fixed on her mouth. He moved in closer, his body almost touching hers. “Let me kiss you, Vanni.”

“I…”

She wasn’t sure what to do or say. He didn’t really give her a chance to come up with a response. His mouth descended over hers. She closed her eyes and was amazed at how soft his lips were. His tongue swiped her lower one and she gasped. He used that opening to deepen the kiss.

Smiley took charge of her mouth in a way that left her grasping his shirt just for something to cling to. He pressed tighter against her until they were chest to chest and she was pushed against the yielding couch cushions. The passion he hit her with left her reeling when he suddenly stopped. He pulled away a few inches. She opened her eyes to stare into his. Her heart hammered and she panted as if she’d just been jogging. She was speechless but he wasn’t.

“We have chemistry. You do know me, Vanni. Stop thinking and just feel.”

He went for her mouth again, cupping her face with one of his hands to keep her in place. She didn’t fight but instead closed her eyes again and welcomed his hot mouth meeting hers. She opened up to him without any urging the second time. There was no gentleness in the second kiss, more of a raw hunger. She met it. Her body did remember him and yearned to be touched.

He seemed to know it since his free hand firmly gripped her thigh and slid higher. The cotton shirt rode up over the back of his hand as he used his thumb to stroke her thigh, inching up. She moaned against his tongue and he rumbled in response. He broke the kiss and they stared at each other again.

“Spread your thighs wide and scoot your ass to the edge of the couch.”

She glanced down and realized how high her shirt had risen. She released him and grabbed for the hem, trying to shove it down to hide her exposed pu**y. Smiley moved faster, releasing her thigh and face. He captured her wrists before she could recover her modesty. He shook his head.

“Don’t hide from me.”

“Let go.”

“We’ve shared sex but I’ve never seen you here. It was too dark to enjoy the sight before. Spread open and show me.”

“You’re seeing. All you have to do is look down.”

He slowly shook his head. “Not enough. I want to see all of you.”

“I’m not taking off my shirt.”

“Put your hands up and hold the top of the couch.”

“Why?”

His smiled. “You know what I want to do.”

She shook her head. “I don’t.”

His eyes narrowed and his expression grew somber. “How many males have you known, Vanni?”

“Two.”

“Didn’t you ever show them your sex? Didn’t they ever want to spread you open and appreciate you?”

She swallowed. “No.”

He emitted a deep, sexy rumbling sound.

“Why are you making that noise?”

“I’m turned-on. I rumble. It’s a good thing. We’ve shared sex. Share this with me. Let me see you, Vanni. I know how you feel here because I’ve been inside you. It was the best feeling I’ve ever experienced. Reach up and hold the top of the couch. You will enjoy me seeing you.”

“I don’t think so.”

“You’re beautiful and there is no need to be shy. My nakedness does not embarrass me. Your nakedness makes me hurt with wanting to touch you.”

“Well, you work out and you’re in perfect shape. I’m not.”

“I like your shape. It is a turn-on.” Smiley moved her wrists, lifting them high, and then bent them until her hands touched the back of the couch. “Hold on right here and don’t let go. Close your eyes if it helps you relax, Vanni. You’ll enjoy what I do to you.” He lowered his voice and murmured, “Please?”

“We shouldn’t be doing this. It’s too fast.”

“I’ll go slower. Will you hold on to the couch?”

She dug her fingers into the cushion. He eased his hold on her wrists and stunned her by gripping her h*ps and yanking her closer to him. It spread her thighs and he turned his hip, pressed between her knees and widened them. She looked down and bit back a curse. The shirt had bunched at her belly, leaving her completely exposed from the waist down. It was bright in the living room and everything was in perfect clarity.

He lowered his chin to stare at the V of her thighs. “Beautiful. I can’t wait to taste you.”

She tensed. “I know people do that but I don’t.”

His head snapped up and his eyes widened. “What?”

“Oral sex, right?” She figured her cheeks were probably neon red at that point. “I don’t. I’ve never.”

He just continued to gape at her. It made her feel kind of like a freak, as if something were wrong with her. She felt the need to explain.

“I have given. I just don’t get.” She released the couch cushion and tried to grab her shirt to shove it down but he captured her wrists again, holding them in place.

“Stupid human males. What was wrong with them?”

“It just never happened.” She tried to wiggle away but it was hard to do with her wrists being held and Smiley’s h*ps between her knees.

He shook his head. “I’m not letting this go. Grab the couch again and hold still.”

“I’m not comfortable with that.”

“You will be by the time I’m done.”