He didn’t respond.
I took my hand away from his, but he left it on me.
My chest rose and fell faster, so did his.
“What does your boyfriend think?”
“Don’t have one,” I responded quietly.
“So no one has touched you?” he asked as he started to pull his hand away.
I quickly covered it with mine, not wanting him to remove it.
“I’m not a virgin if that’s what you’re asking.”
“No?” His hand started to move up my neck slowly.
“No. I’m not a child, either.”
“Don’t appear to be,” he said, focused on his hand that was gently gripping my neck as his thumb slid up and down my jawline.
He was touching me, and my heart was nearly pounding out of my chest. Luke Lane was touching me.
His thumb brushed across my lower lip, and I closed my eyes and ran my tongue slowly over it. Then I wrapped my lips around it and sucked gently.
“I have a girlfriend,” he grumbled.
I tipped my head back, letting go of his thumb, opening my eyes, and looking into his. “You could do so much better.”
He didn’t confirm or deny. I knew he was aware it was true.
“Can’t do this with you,” he said as his lips hovered centimeters from mine.
My mouth was watering. My legs were trembling. My body’s core was on fire. I wanted him more than I had ever wanted anything in my life, and I was so close to having his lush lips on mine.
I had to kiss him. I was terrified that, if I didn’t take this opportunity—one given by fate—I would never have it again.
“Then don’t,” I whispered as I grabbed his waist with one hand and the back of his neck with the other.
Then I kissed him.
The sound that escaped him when our lips met came from a place of unmeasurable depth. Every ounce of courage it took to kiss him was swallowed up in its complexity. I trembled when his arm wrapped around me and pulled me tightly to him.
If he let go, I feared I might fall or pass out.
He didn’t.
His kiss intensified. Hands in my hair, his tongue caressing mine, he kept his other hand holding me securely against him.
I couldn’t breathe. All I could do was feel, and the feelings were so overwhelming I swore all control was not just gone; it was shattered.
He pulled his mouth from mine, and I couldn’t help grabbing his face.
“Don’t stop,” I pleaded softly.
“Ava …” he whispered and closed his eyes.
My name had never sounded so beautiful and tormented all at the same time.