But the truth is, I don’t want to pretend.
Not anymore.
I hold her gaze, searching for any sign of hesitation or uncertainty, but all I see is a flicker of something similar to longing in her eyes.
Without breaking eye contact, I reach out to cup her cheek, my thumb brushing lightly against her soft skin. Noelle leans into my touch, her eyes fluttering closed for a moment before opening again, dark and intense.
It’s like the world around us fades into the background, until there’s only the sound of our ragged breathing filling the space between us. And then, as if moving of its own accord, my hand slides to the nape of her neck, pulling her closer until our lips meet.
And I’ll be damned. If I thought my nerve endings were on fire before, what I feel now is nothing short of an all-consuming inferno.
CHAPTER TWELVENoelle
Kissing Hoxton is like tasting forbidden fruit – sweet and intoxicating.
For a moment, nothing else exists but the sensation of his lips moving against mine, the warmth of his body pressing close to me. His lips are warm and soft, the taste of strawberry lingering on his tongue as he pushes against me.
My every thought goes cloudy as a rush of desire courses through me. Hoxton’s hands find their way to the small of my back as I thread my fingers through his hair, pulling him even closer.
His touch is somehow gentle, urgent and electric at the same time, his fingers dipping under the hem of my borrowed sweater to trace aimless patterns on my skin. I feel his hands roam over my back, drawing me impossibly nearer tohim. Our bodies mould together perfectly, fitting like two pieces of a puzzle that were always meant to be joined.
How did we get here? My mind replays the events of today, trying to find a logical link as to how I went from loathing my client to clinging onto him like he’s my sole life source. Has this been building up since last night and our impromptu cuddling session? Is this the result of a day spent in casual companionship with each other? Is thiscabin fever?
I don’t know.
But I do know that I can feel my heart pounding in my chest, echoing the rhythm of Hoxton’s breath against my skin. I try to ground myself and focus on the sensation of his hands, hot and steady against my back, but it’s hard when the only thing I want to do right now is give in to the fire that’s flooded my bloodstream.
I pull back slightly to catch my breath. Hoxton’s eyes meet mine, dark with desire and something… something deeper that I can’t quite place. His gaze is intense and searching, as if he’s trying to unravel the very essence of me.
Without a word, he leans in again, capturing my lips with his in a fervent kiss that steals the breath from my lungs.
Has kissing ever felt this good before?
I try to remember a time my body felt this alive, but I keep coming up blank.
Never, I decide. It’s never felt this good.
I let out a soft, impatient moan as Hoxton pulls away frommy lips, but he doesn’t go far. He peppers hot, frantic kisses along my neck, one hand coming up to gently curl through my braids and keep them out of the way.
His lips burn a fiery path down my neck, leaving behind a trail of goosebumps and heightened sensitivity. Every touch of his tongue, every brush of his lips sends shivers down my spine, and I can’t help but arch my body into his, desperate for more.
If this ever ends, it’ll be too soon.
His mouth reaches the hollow of my throat, and he gently sucks, pulling at the delicate skin there. The sound that comes out of my mouth is almost feral, coming from the deepest depths of my chest.
I feel him smirk against my skin and I tug at his hair a little tighter, my actions a silent demand.
Do that again.
Hoxton, I learn very quickly, doesn’t need to be told twice.
I feel the hardness of his body against mine, and it only makes me want him more. My hands trace over the fabric of his sweatshirt, feeling the sweat that’s forming there as we continue to kiss. He groans softly into my neck, and his hips start to grind gently against my own.
His lips move back to mine in a frenzied kiss, as if he’s trying to consume me whole.
I’d gladly let him.
I drop my hands from his hair and fist the collar of his sweatshirt, pulling him in as close as he’s going to get. His hands come down to cup my ass and I don’t hesitate hooking a leg over his waist and grinding into him, matching the pace he set earlier.
