His hand on the table curled into a fist. “For now.”
Words weren’t going to cut it this time. What was that old saying? Actions speak louder than words? I rose from chair, my heart racing, as a strange quivering weakness ran through my legs.
He watched me, tense and waiting.
If he was waiting for me to bolt, he was doomed to disappointment. Second
chances rarely came along. I wasn’t missing this one. Step by step, I closed the
distance between us, refusing to look away. He pushed back his chair, angling it
away from the table. I stopped only when I stood between his legs.
I reached out to run my fingers through the sunlit amber of his hair, my hand
visibly shaking. That incredible heat, the one I would always associate with him,
curled around me. I let my fingers drift down the side of his face, thrilling at the soft rasp against my touch. I cupped his chin, and he let me tilt his head up. I bent down, ignoring the protest from my bruised ribs. This moment was too important. I brushed my lips over his, offering him one of the few remaining unscarred pieces of my heart. Once. Twice. I pulled back, not far, just enough to
whisper, “I’m done running.”
Fierce satisfaction filled his steel blue eyes turning them navy. His
undisguised desire stole my breath and arrowed deep into my heart, anchoring itself and changing me in some undefinable way. “About damn time.”
Then there was nothing left to do but hold on, as he pulled me down into his
lap. Cradled in his arms, I curled my hands around his jaw and deepened the kiss. Restless, yearning, I coaxed and teased, leading him where I wanted to go. I
parted my lips, offering him access. My blood heated as he took full advantage
of my invitation.
He was so gentle, so careful, one hand cupping the back of my head, holding
me in place while he subtly took control. Our tongues dueled in a seductive combat of advance and retreat. His taste was addicting, leaving me yearning for
more. I slid my palm against his chest, pressing it against his heart so I could feel the rapid pulse. Mine picked up the beat and followed suit.
I curled closer, threading my hand into his hair until my fingers could
clenched the thick strands. I used my grip to keep him where I wanted him. Not that he tried to escape. When the need to breathe became imperative, my head fell back, and I sucked in cool air with a fleeting thought it might combat the rising heat between us.
Kayden groaned. Then he took advantage of my exposed neck, and left a
stinging trail of small, heated bites along my skin. My body trembled as desire
roared through me, wiping out any remaining pieces of sanity. He took his time,
tracing the lacework of scars that covered my neck and shoulder with his mouth.
Small kisses, as if soothing any lingering ache.
Never comfortable with being touched there, tension began to override my
desire. His name emerged on a breathless protest. “Kayden.”
“Shhh…” he whispered, dropping another gentle kiss to my neck. “Just let
me kiss it better.”
Bit by bit, he continued his gentle ministrations. He followed the bruises ringing my neck, then switched to the delicate lacework of scars. Finally, he found that sweet spot between my neck and shoulder. A vicious shiver ratcheted
my desire higher until my mind hazed and my body ached. “Kayden, please.”
He raised his head and took my mouth with a fierceness that left me
breathless. My breasts felt heavy, aching for his touch. I moved restlessly, unable
to tear my mouth away from his. I squirmed in his lap, feeling the press of hard
male flesh against my hip. The sensation of him triggered my own melting response. His hands began to roam, sliding under my T-shirt, drawing it higher.
He skimmed the marks of violence and left melting warmth behind, even as his
mouth continued to torment me.
I groaned as cool air hit my overheated skin, arching deeper into his
