“You have to stop that.” The words cost her, but they had to be said. “I’m not stupid. I feel it too. This attraction between us. I won’t deny it. I just think the timing isn’t right.”
Malco looked at her, his usual impassive expression on his face, but this time, she saw past his expression and to the emotion in his eyes. Hard as onyx, she suspected he was fighting with himself. He was the kind of man who had his own ideas, assessing the situation before deciding on his plan of action. Only her extensive experience in a courtroom allowed her to see and appreciate that.
“Are you always so certain of everything? Always planning ahead? Isn’t it a heavy burden and tiresome at times?”
Frida took her mug into her hands, taking a sip before answering him. “Where I come from, to know where you were going and how to get there was the defining line between life and death, the only way for a woman to reach freedom, so yes, that’s who I am. It’s heavy and tiresome, and I know I’m a pain in the ass, but because of my attitude, I’m right where I need to be.”
“What happened to you to make you like that?” The question was asked with true curiosity, and for the first time ever, without a hint of accusation. Still, she was startled by his asking it; it was forward and assumed a level of intimacy between them.
“Is this the part where we exchange childhood stories and start sobbing? It’s a little early for that, don’t you think?”
Malco shook his head, clearly amused. “And now you’re defensive. Interesting. All that because I looked at you.”
Opening and closing her mouth, Frida realized it was exactly what had happened. He hadn’t asked or suggested anything. He’d only glanced at her as if he couldn’t help but imagine what she tasted like—a tactical error from a lawyer’s point of view.
And Malco didn’t seem inclined to let go of his newfound advantage. “What intrigues me more is why you’re so against dipping a toe. I’m not on one knee about to propose, Frida. To be honest, it’s been a long while since I’ve wanted to be with a woman. And I want you.”
Heat bloomed low in her belly, spreading fast between her legs. It had been a while for her too. Life had kept her busy from the moment she’d left LA, and men hadn’t been a priority. And right in front of her was a gorgeous man, her protector who wanted her and simply stating it. No annoying emotions, no strings attached. Still, she hesitated.
“I have so much to do. I don’t think there’s time…”
Without a word, Malco rose and came around the table. Her breath caught in her throat when he pulled her up against him and stole her lips for a searing kiss.
Her brain exploded as her body melted into the hard muscle that was Malco. His mouth was pure seduction, coaxing her to fall under his spell. The taste of him mixed with coffee made her head spin. His hands remained on her hips at first, then started to inch their way up, stopping just underneath her breasts—making her body tingle and her pulse stutter.
Slightly frustrated, she pushed her chest forward and gripped his shoulders, silently begging for his touch.
A low groan rumbled from his chest, and instead of answering her prayer, he pushed her back against the table. Dishes smashed to the floor in a loud crash, but Malco didn’t seem to care or even notice. He circled her waist with his large hands and lifted her to the table, positioning himself between her spread legs.
When his lips returned to her, they ignored her mouth to skim her neck and ear. “Tell me you can’t find time to explore this. Us. I have no intention of distracting you from what you have to do, but I have every intention of reminding you to take time to sleep and enjoy yourself, with me, in my bed.” He nipped at her shoulders. “Or outside of it.”
A shiver raked her body, and she gasped when he trailed his mouth down her t-shirt. His teeth bit gently at her nipples, and Frida leaned back, bracing her arms on the table to give him better access.
“Tell me your body doesn’t want it, Frida. Prove me wrong.”
At the bottom of her t-shirt, he kissed the skin of her stomach before pulling her top off. He removed her bra at the same time, freeing her breasts to his hungry gaze.
Malco rubbed his prickly cheek on the tender skin of her breasts a few times before repeatedly lavishing her breasts with his mouth. Her entire body was undulating under him. Sex-starved, she wanted him to remove his clothes too, but he ordered her to keep her hands on the table.
“I’m the one that needs to make my case.”
He kissed her again, pure desire replacing finesse, and she watched the flame in his dark eyes. His rough hands tickled her ribs and kneaded her hips before undoing her pants. Wisps of sanity tried to return, but Malco slid his tongue into her mouth, and they vanished.
Without realizing it, Frida was now completely naked, offered up on Malco’s kitchen table, and when the man stood back to look at her, she’d never felt so wanted in her entire life.
Ignoring his order, she seized his waistband, but he pushed her hands away with a wicked smile.
“Malco…”
Instead of answering, he licked his lips and fell to his knees. Her world stopped when she realized what he was about to do, and then there was no doubt about it once his muscled arms circled her thighs, pulling them wide and dragging her ass to him until his mouth
