Date! Romantic date! This was a date-date!
Screaming inside.
Was he going to kiss me?
Please say yes.
Oh my God, it was happening. I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t catch my breath, as his other hand threaded around the back of my neck, as he tilted my face up towards him—where his ice cream cone had gone, I had no idea.
“I’ve been thinking about doing this all night.” He murmured, his breath a caress across my fluttering eyelids.
“Yeah?” I hummed, unable to get more than a single word out.
“Yeah.” His thumb stroked down the column of my throat, and I nearly whimpered. “I’ve been trying to convince myself why this is a terrible idea.” His chest brushed against mine with every panting breath he took. “And I just can’t find it in me to care anymore, but I do need to be clear about one thing.”
“What’s that?” I trembled as his fingers curled tightly around my hip with promise.
“While I can think of one way, I’dloveto taste that strawberry ice cream. I’m going to need you to be crystal clear with me.” His voice lowered. “Can you be a good girl and answer one question for me?”
Holy mother of God.“Yes,” I rasped, on the precipice of melting into a puddle of goo.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought—you are going to be a good girlfor me, aren’t you?” He chuckled deeply, his voice filled with approval and amusement, while I proceeded to melt into that aforementioned puddle. “Sarafina, my darling, since you threw away your ice cream cone—tell me, where could I possibly go to get a taste of this delicious strawberry ice cream you keep going on about?” He practically purred, all raw male arrogance as the backs of his knuckles grazed over the bare skin between each plunging panel of my dress, so feather light. Down his knuckles grazed between my breasts, leaving a wake of fire in their path.
“Ohhh.” I arched into his touch as his knuckles skimmed over my stomach and then disappeared before they drifted lower.
“Hmm?” His hand returned to my hip, anchoring me firmly between him and the tree. The silk of my dress against my skin was nearly unbearable as I shifted, desperate for more. “Tell me where I should go, Sarafina.” Carter hummed, reminding me of his question, eyes crinkling with amusement, lust, longing, and everything I’d ever wanted.
I lifted a shaky finger up to my lips and tapped them, my words coming out breathy and uneven, despite my best efforts. “One taste and you’ll know the strawberry is definitely better.” Carter groaned. “I dare you.” I whispered. “To prove me otherwise.”
As I pulled in each ragged breath, he shifted closer, and the clean, intoxicating scent of him seeped into my very skin. “I might burn in hell for this,” he murmured, leaning down.
“Then I’ll burn with you.” I breathed.
“Never.” His lips dusted over my cheek as he vibrated with restraint. “Angels don’t get a hall pass to hell.”
“Then let’s hope you’re my salvation.” I breathed, “Because I’m already burning.” I’d been burning for him for as long as I could remember. My hands rose and fell on his chest with each panting breath he pulled in as he hovered in front of me, hesitating, while my entire world threatened to fall out from beneath me.
I was a big dumb idiot for risking everything I’d grown to relyon these past few months, a reckless, desperate idiot, but with nothing left to lose, I begged. I’d been broken before, and I could survive it again, if I had to.
“Please.” I whimpered, hoping it was enough to break his resolve.
It was.
CHAPTER 30
An Angel with Wicked Intentions
CARTER
One minute earlier…
Sara loomed in front of me breathless, her dare hanging in the air like a crime waiting to be committed. I wanted to kiss her so fucking bad, but I knew there was no going back, no undoing it once it was done.
This was a big night for her, a weird fucking day for me. Maybe we were caught up in a moment, maybe this would pass.
God, she looked so beautiful right now, her wide brown eyes gazing up at me through those dark lashes. You’d almost think she was innocent until you saw the rest of her—the God-damned red dress she was wearing.
Fingers trembling with restraint, I closed my eyes and willed myself to keep my hands where they were, despite every silken curve resting under my fingertips, just begging to be touched, explored,tasted.
