For one tiny, tiny moment, Lily froze. This was just…wow.

William Charleston was kissing her in a pub. No, not only was he kissing her, slowly caging her against the wall, but his hand was traveling up her inner thigh, and if it reached any farther, he would know just how treacherously wet she was for him. She was pretty sure the panties and tights were already compromised.

She suppressed a hungry moan when his tongue brushed against hers, then leaned back a little, settling herself against the corner as William all but climbed on top of her. Fucking hell, she wanted him on top, wanted to be crushed under his weight. Wanted him to take her right then and there, audience be damned.

Luckily, the thought was enough to smack some sense into her dazed brain.

“William,” she breathed, but stole another kiss before allowing him to retreat.

For what it was worth, the man looked about as flushed as she felt. Still, his hand continued to tease her thigh, those unnerving fingers of his creating curving patterns across her far too sensitive skin. The caresses continued even as the waitress walked over and deposited William’s drink on their table—and shot a conspirator’s grin Lily’s way.

Oh god. She turned an embarrassing shade of pink.

Of course she did.

This wasn’t something she had experience in, and listening to Audrey’s wild stories was so not the same as being an active participant.

This… This was new, completely uncharted territory.

She’d only ever had two sexual partners in her life, and both had been boyfriends for a few years before things watered down, all the way to the inevitable, mutual breakup. One-night stands just weren’t on her repertoire.

So why did she want William Charleston to ravish her senseless?

Her six-month dry spell couldn’t be it. She’d crossed paths with a number of attractive men, but none made her want to shimmy out of her panties for a night of fun.

Was it the thrill of hooking up with someone older?

William said he didn’t do casual, but casual could potentially be interpreted as a steady sex partner without the whole relationship aspect attached. Audrey certainly used the term that way. So, truly, his statement did not necessarily mean he was averse to a quick fuck-and-run, right?

But no, that wasn’t it, either. She could practically feel his desire for something grander etched in those bloody fabulous strokes of his fingers.

The man might not have said anything outright, but he wanted more than just what her body had to offer.

The prospect of actually being with someone two decades older was a bit peculiar, but underneath it all, Lily wanted it, too.

Actually, she wanted it a whole bloody lot.

She sucked in a deep breath before her mind imploded.

William’s fingers continued their dangerous game, his eyes gaining a wicked green hue that would have given him away even if she hadn’t spotted his erection tenting the tailored trousers.

“I couldn’t stop thinking about you today,” he whispered.

She gasped as his thumb brushed over her clit and instinctively rubbed harder against him.

Fuck… This was…

She had no words, just a string of groans she had to fight hard to keep down.

“I don’t know what it is about you, Lily Summers,” he continued, then captured her lips again, “but I want to strip you of everything. Have you bare before me until I know not just every nuance of your body, but your mind, too.”

His thumb increased the pressure, bringing her closer to the edge.

“I want to discover what turns you on. What thoughts run behind those green eyes… Everything, Lily.”

God, it was like he was reading her mind.

She’d never been a big believer in love at first sight—hell, how could you love someone when you didn’t even know them?—but in that moment, Lily was fairly convinced that was precisely what had smacked her in the face. Something just… Something clicked between them. And it wasn’t mere carnal attraction. She wanted him to fuck her, but it was more than that, too.

Her back arched as William’s lips traced the pulse in her neck. Hell… Who said an entanglement based on lust couldn’t develop into something worthwhile later on, anyway?

“Do you want me to stop?” William asked—although he was certainly not stopping.

A faint whimper had the audacity to leave her lips.

“No.” She shook her head. “But if you keep that up, I might drag you into the loo. While I certainly wouldn’t mind a bit of dirty sex right now, that really isn’t the kind I had in mind.”

She clasped her hand over her mouth. God, had she really just said that out loud?

But when William broke out laughing, the sound deep and rich and utterly sexy, she joined in.

It was then that the absurdity of the situation finally caught up with her. The good girl who never spoke naughty in the bedroom, openly propositioning a handsome older man. Maybe this was why her former relationships fell apart.

Neither of the blokes had ever made her feel like she could say something like this. Neither of them would have laughed over it, either.

Except maybe to make fun of her.

But there was nothing malicious in William’s rich laugh. Nor was there in the way his eyes brimmed with heat when their gazes locked once more.

It was mesmerizing, seeing how he desired her.

He cupped her between her thighs, hard enough she would have come on the spot if his voice hadn’t stole her attention. “What do you say we ditch the drinks, pet, and head over to my place? I promise I’ll make it worth your while.”

Oh god.

She didn’t doubt his word.

Actually having the strength to get there, however, was another matter entirely…