He turns to leave and I move, stepping between him and his escape, so swift that he ends up pressed against me, my back against the door as my lips part on a gasp.
It’s not just surprise—it’s the strange frisson that runs right down my front as my body absorbs his heat, the very hardness of him.
His eyes drop to my mouth and there’s no need for words. His intent sears me seconds before his lips claim mine.
Christ, I’m in heaven.
He isn’t soft, tentative, uncertain. He’s hard, determined, his tongue forcing my mouth apart, demanding entry, coaxing me into doing the same.
I’ve been kissed before, and I’ve kissed boys before, but I’ve never been devoured—not like this.
My body thrums, my breasts prickle against his chest, and the dull ache in my gut swells and throbs with mindless need. My hands are in his hair, clinging him to me, his own rake over my body, feverish, trembling. I can’t believe this is real. I feel drugged, dreaming.
And then he groans into my mouth, pressing me back harder, and I know it’s real. I know this is happening...my dream is coming true.
His fingers drop to my naked thighs, encouraging my dress higher. I don’t know whether I lift my leg to hook it around him or he does, but the hard swell of him inside his jeans presses at the throbbing heart of me and I moan my pleasure.
He curses, his teeth nipping at my lip as he shakes his head once more. ‘I’ve wanted you, so long.’
His confession jerks me alert. I want more of it. More words. More to affirm how he feels.
‘How long?’
‘Too long.’
Happiness bursts within me. Everything’s falling into place.
I find his lips again, desperate to seal his words with my kiss. ‘And you can have me. I’m yours. I’ve always been yours.’
There’s a strange knocking sound—one that doesn’t compute with the whirlwind that is my mind—and suddenly I’m thrust away from him. I try to focus through the haze. I see his widened gaze, his alarm clear.
‘Lucas? You in there?’
The handle shifts with my brother’s voice, but the door doesn’t budge. I realise Lucas has turned the latch. It fills me with hope, but hope dies just as swiftly. He looks as if he’s seen a ghost as he stares at me in horror.
‘Lucas! Come on, man. Someone said they saw you head in here... Eva too.’
Oh, God.
He was pale before. Now he looks deathly. His eyes leave me, his head shaking.
‘I’m an idiot. A fucking idiot.’
He says it under his breath and I tiptoe towards him, my hand reaching out. But he moves away from me just as quickly, his eyes throwing daggers. ‘Don’t.’
There are footsteps down the corridor and then my father’s voice. ‘What’s going on?’
‘Nothing... I’m just getting Eva. Mum wants her to cut the cake.’
‘The last place Eva will be is in my study, son.’
Nate gives an awkward laugh. ‘Sure...of course. I’ll check upstairs.’
They move off, their voices growing distant, and I know my brother is protecting us. But I don’t want protection. I don’t want to hide any more.
‘Lucas, please don’t push me away. I don’t want to deny this any more. I know you feel the same. I know you—’
‘You don’t know anything.’