He grinned into that crook in her neck. "I like you best when you despise me," he mumbled. Arching into her nails he clamped his hands tighter around her body. She wasn't making any move to bolt. The sweet agony of her nails pushed him forward. "You should despise me more."

He swept one hand down to grope at her buttocks. Not just a cheap feel, but a solid and demanding squeeze. He moved his mouth upward, teeth scraping all the way up her neck to her jawline.