Free Closer_To_You by Reana Malori Page B

be reacting to him this way.
    Standing this close to him, she could feel her body respond to his. Even when he was being overbearing and arrogant, she could not stop herself from sinking into him. She could get lost in his gaze. The slight crinkles at the side of his eyes, and his barely there five o’clock shadow and his strong jaw just made him look even more attractive. She ached to get closer to him. To kiss away the frown marring his brow.
    Was it simply that she had been the one to walk away? He did not seem like the type to pursue a woman, but for some reason, here he stood. Asking her why she had left. Would he have truly wanted her to stay? What if she had? Her eyes closed at the thoughts swirling around her head. It was almost too much. One man should not affect her this much after only one night. It was an amazing, unforgettable night, but still—only one night.
    “Open your eyes and look at me, Penelope.” His warm breath flowed over her lips and she gasped. Opening her eyes, she bit her bottom lip in surprise when she noted how close his face was to hers. Her nipples tightened to hard pebbles and her stomach clenched in desire. Oh goodness, what was this man doing to her?
    “Do you see me? Do you see how much I want you right now, Penelope? I wanted you again when I woke up from our night of passion. Imagine my disappointment when you were no longer curled up beside me. Do you even realize that your lush body warmed me all night? Your curves were wrapped around me and at the slightest movement, you sought me out, seeking my heat.”
    Her breath hitched and her eyes fluttered as she remembered how it felt to feel his strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her body flush with his. Somewhat shy and reserved about her body since she was a steady size fourteen, it was something so refreshing and exhilarating about being desired by a man like Gabriel Turner.
    Voice heavy with desire and breathless with need, she finally answered, “Yes, I remember.”
    He removed his hands from her arms and placed them on her ass, pulling her lower body closer to his. She could feel his hard erection pressed up against her stomach and she could feel her resolve weakening. This situation could only end badly for both of them, but she felt her body sinking into his. The way this man made her feel would be her downfall. Memories of how he felt inside of her flashed through her brain and she wished, with everything in her, that they were still in his hotel room. That she had never left that morning.
    Gabriel moved his head slightly to the left and began to place light, sensual kisses on the side of her mouth, her cheek, and lower jaw. Slowly making his way to her earlobe, he whispered, “Don’t make me beg, Penelope. I need more of you. Just give me one more night to get you out of my system.”
    Although she wanted to scream yes, she hesitated. Not because she did not want him. It was just the opposite. She wanted him a little bit too much. When she had been the one to walk away after the one night, those were on her terms. Penelope had come to grips with never seeing him again and only having her memories to keep her going through the long and lonely nights. Now, here he was standing in her living room and he was asking her for more. If she went down this path, she had no idea what would happen. Could she walk away from him a second time with her sanity intact and peace of mind? Honestly, she really didn’t know if she could. At this moment, with his body pressed so close to hers and his kisses melting away every ounce of denial as the seconds passed, she didn’t care.
    “No, Gabriel, you don’t have to beg. I would never make you do that. I want this. I want you.” Gabriel’s strength amazed her. His hands gripped her ass hard and he lifted, pulling her body up as she wrapped her legs around his waist. Wow, that had never happened before.
    “Where to, Penelope?”
    Still in awe at what had just happened, she barely got