Chapter 205: Sheer contact

His fingers moved to the zipper at the back of my dress, dragging it down with an agonizing slowness that sent goosebumps racing across my bare skin. The cool cabin air bit at my back, but the heat radiating off Tobias erased the chill the second his hands settled against my waist, smoothing the fabric down my hips until the dress pooled around my knees.

I sat there in my lace underwear, suddenly hyper-aware of every inch of my skin, my breath catching as his dark eyes tracked down my body.

"Lisa," he breathed, the sound scraped raw. "You're..." He shook his head, looking almost pained by the sight of me. "God, you're breathtaking."

A nervous, breathless laugh bubbled up from my chest, and I instinctively lifted my hands to cover myself. "Don't look at me like that."

Tobias reached out, gently catching my wrists and guiding my hands down to rest on his chest. "Like what?"

"Like you're... starving," I whispered, my cheeks burning hotter than the fireplace embers.

A faint, sheepish grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Can you blame me?" He leaned down, brushing a soft, featherlight kiss against my jaw, then another right beneath my ear, making me shiver against him. "Besides, if anyone should be nervous here, it's me."

I tilted my head back, looking into his blown-out grey eyes. "The great Tobias Thomas, nervous?"

"Terrified," he admitted softly, his hand sliding down to undo the buttons of his shirt. He tossed it aside, exposing the lean, solid muscle of his chest, the faint scar near his ribs catching the dim orange light. "I've spent months pretending I knew what I was doing around you, Lisa. But right now? I don't have a clue."

Seeing him so stripped of his usual confidence, standing on the edge of the exact same uncharted territory as me, made the tight knot of anxiety in my stomach begin to loosen.

He shifted closer, straddling my hips on the couch, his weight supported by his arms on either side of me, carefully, he unhooked my bra, his thumbs grazing the side of my ribs as the silk slid away. I gasped at the direct contact, my hands rising on instinct to grip his shoulders.

Tobias froze, his breath fanning across my collarbone. "Did I hurt you?"

"No," I squeaked, my voice cracking so badly I had to bite my lip in sheer humiliation.

A low, warm rumble of laughter vibrated against his chest. "Lisa, breaking my heart one squeak at a time."

"Tobias, shut up," I groaned, hiding my burning face in the crook of his neck.

"I'm serious, baby," he murmured, his voice laced with amusement, his arms wrapping tightly around my back, holding me close until our bare chests pressed together. The heat was dizzying. "Take a breath. We have all night. We don't have to rush anything."

He began to kiss me again, slow and unhurried, taking the time to map every curve of my lips until the last lingering edge of awkwardness melted into liquid warmth.

His hand slid down my stomach, his touch reverent, every movement deliberate as he eased away the last barrier between us.

When he reached for his own belt, his fingers fumbled slightly with the buckle. A metallic clink echoed loudly through the quiet living room, followed immediately by a sharp curse under his breath.

I couldn't help it. A small laugh escaped me.

Tobias paused, looking up at me through his dark lashes, an embarrassed flush creeping up his own neck. "Don't laugh at me. The lock on this stupid belt is stuck."

"Do you need help, quarterback?" I teased softly, the nerves finally giving way to a sweet, lingering warmth.

"I've got it," he grunted, finally yanking the leather free and kicking his jeans off onto the floor. As he tossed them aside, he reached into the back pocket of his pants, pulling out his leather wallet with a quiet rustle. His fingers hesitated for a split second before he slipped a small foil packet from one of the slots.

He looked down at it, rubbing the back of his neck with a sheepish, half-embarrassed grin. "Justin made me put this in here before we left," he muttered, his voice dropping into a raspy, sheepish whisper. "Said I was an idiot for leaving the house without one. I didn't think... I mean, I wasn't planning on this, Lisa. I swear."

A soft smile broke across my face, the absolute honesty in his eyes washing away whatever tiny worry I had left. "I know," I whispered, reaching up to rest my hand against his warm cheek. "I'm glad Justin's smart."

Tobias let out a breathless chuckle, tearing the wrapper open with a faint foil pop before discarding it on the floor alongside his clothes.

When he settled back between my thighs, the playfulness vanished, replaced by an intensity so thick it made my pulse hammer against my ribs. His breathing was heavy, his chest rising and falling against mine as his hand slid into mine, our fingers lacing together tight enough to bruise.

"Look at me, Lisa," he whispered, his voice trembling slightly.

I opened my eyes, meeting his gaze through the darkness.

"Tell me if it's too much," he said, his forehead resting against mine. "Tell me to stop, and I'll stop. Okay?"

"I don't want you to stop," I answered, the truth slipping out before I could overthink it. "I want you, Tobias."

He swallowed hard, his grip on my hand tightening as he slowly, carefully guided himself forward.