Ruin (Rhodes #1) by Rina Kent

                             “I’m serious, Mae.” Aaron’s left eye twitches. “Stay away from me. Don’t tempt my head into winning the killing game.”

                             “But I don’t want to stay away from you.” Ugh. I sound too desperate even to my own ears. Nevertheless, I move my face closer to his, my lips part as I hold both his hands in mine. The hunger takes me over. I want him. God, I want this man.

                             He shakes his head once and yanks my hands away. “No. Don’t.”

                             “Why not?” The irritation in my voice matches the tingling frustration that courses through my body.

                             A fire burns in his eyes. There’s anger but also an irritation similar to my own. “Because I will not be able to stop this time, that’s why!” He cups my face, his fingers soft against my skin, voice gentle. “Get out before I do something irrevocable.”

                             I encircle his neck, pulling him closer to bury my face in the crook of his shoulder. “You can do whatever you want with me.”

                             He pulls away, his inquisitive gaze almost burns holes in my skin. “You said that same sentence before. I don’t care whether you mean it or not, I will hold you accountable to it.”

                             I smile. “I mean it—”

                             Words die in my throat when Aaron’s mouth presses against mine. His tongue licks my bottom lip, then his teeth follow, teasing the skin. A small moan escapes me as I grant him access. More than the other kisses, this one is slower, passionate. It consumes my lips in a persistent nibbling. Warmth submerges me.

                             I wrap my arms around his neck as he lays me on the bed. My heart hammers, the covers so soft against my back. His burning mouth moves to the side of my neck, leaving burning trails in its wake. He starts slow, but his kisses turn more urgent by the second. I shudder underneath him. My body warms. Wetness pools between my legs. Oh my, I’m doing this. It isn’t my first time, but the tingles of excitement and slight fear certainly make it feel like a first.

                             Without stopping his assault on my neck, Aaron’s fingers do quick work of removing my robe. Not long after, I lay stark naked before him— I didn’t bother with underwear after the shower. My cheeks burn when he pushes back to look at me. His heated gaze roams my entire body, inch by inch. My breath hitches. Tremors travel my limbs. It’s like he’s looking at the most appetising supper he’s ever had. When his intense gaze finally meets mine, he arches an eyebrow. “Did you plan to seduce me all along, Mae?”

                             “Maybe.” I moisten my dry lips and reach out to the hem of his T-shirt. “You’re awfully overdressed.”

                             “And you are awfully stunning. Breathtakingly beautiful.”

                             My breath catches. A knot the size of a ball clogs my throat. His words, Aaron seeing me as beautiful, are undoing me, making my heartbeat thunder in my ears.

                             In a swift movement, he yanks his T-shirt and shorts off, remaining in black boxer briefs. I swallow, stifling a gasp. His abdomen isn’t bulging, and he isn’t anywhere near Kane’s bulkiness. But he’s lean and defined. My tongue itches to lick each part of his chest.

                             I bite my bottom lip. Dammit. Who’s that pervert?

                             He crawls atop of me, tall muscular legs bend to straddle me between his knees. When my gaze meets Aaron’s, he’s not looking at me. An icy coldness seeps into his eyes. Gone is the heat and playfulness he considered me with.