“So I’ve been told.”
“I said I love you, Kingston.” He looks into my eyes. “And I’d be the biggest idiot on earth if I didn’t ask you to be my girlfriend.”
I don’t have it in me to even attempt to come up with an equally romantic reply, so my fingers travel from his arm to the back of his head and I lean in to place a peck on his lips. My cheeks are going to start hurting if I keep this smiling thing up.
“I love you, too,” I say, emotional.
“Is that a yes?” he teases. “Will you be my girlfriend?”
“What do you think?”
I let our mouths connect, unable to wipe the smile from my face. I try my best to kiss him through the overflowing joy pouring out of me, but we’re both smiling like absolute idiots. With every passing second, the soft and sweet kisses become heated, insistent. The tension keeps climbing, reaching a level I know all too well.
Haze’s hands climb under my shirt. He sucks my lower lip in between his teeth as his fingers gently brush my skin. They stop right under my breast. He pulls on my waist to get me to straddle him, which I do without a second thought. I can barely recognize myself when I start grinding provocatively against him, rocking my body back and forth and causing an obvious bulge to rise in his jeans. His breathing grows heavier, and he clenches his jaw. I know that look.
He’s not letting me go this time.
He raises his eyebrows and gets up without a warning, lifting me up along with him. I instinctively wrap my legs around his waist, feeling his hands on my ass as he walks and kisses me harder. It feels so easy. So effortless. I know exactly where he’s taking me. I know what’s going to happen, but I’m not afraid anymore. Because this time, there’s nothing stopping us. This time…
We’re official.
14
Burning Desires
Haze kicks the partially closed bedroom door open and lays me down on the bed roughly. We resume kissing like we’ll never get to feel each other again, and his fingers venture under my shirt, brushing my stomach on the way up. He kisses down my jaw, his tongue searing the crook of my neck and igniting a blaze only he can put out. I flutter under him, light moans falling from my mouth.
If my skin is fire, his lips are gasoline.
When he pulls away and stares, I know he’s once again admiring his work.
“I hate you for that, by the way.” I punch him in the arm. His smile grows bigger.
“What? I told you. You’re mine. I want the world to know.” He slowly brushes the purple marks above my collarbone with the tip of his index finger and wets his lips.
Boy, do you need ChapStick, or are you trying to turn me on?
I need a T-shirt with that quote.
“Okay, that’s cute and all, but do that again and I’ll make your face a giant hickey,” I threaten, and he chuckles, leaning forward to kiss me again.
Before I know it, my shirt is over my head and on the bedroom floor. My jeans quickly follow. He squeezes his hand under me, and easily unclasps my bra. I’m thrown off by the fact that he’s better than me. I’ve been struggling with my bra since the day I was old enough to wear one, but Haze didn’t even bat an eye.
That’s because he’s got experience, Winter. You think you’re the first one? He’s unhooked many bras. He’s seen many bodies. You’re nothing new.
I despise the voice in my head telling me that this isn’t as special to him as it is to me. I’m ripped away from my thoughts when I notice him staring at me.
“What’s wrong?” He doesn’t complete his task, his eyebrows drawn and the worry on his face unmissable.
“Nothing…” I lower my eyes to my body. Now is so not the time to be feeling like this. Why am I doing this right now? We’re together. Together as in a couple.
Haze is my boyfriend.
That still doesn’t register.
He must think that you’re at least a little special if the guy who doesn’t commit committed to you, Winter.
“Bullshit. Something’s bothering you. What is it?”