Spiraling to the point of no return. But she didn’t care. She wouldn’t be the first to break away. Wouldn’t let this moment go for fear it would be the last. It couldn’t be. Her head spun as her stomach dipped and before she knew it, Evren hoisted her up so she sat on the workbench. His hands, firm against her back.
He reclined, breaking apart their kiss, and so Tallulah held her breath as he scanned her face. Her heart constricted as a flicker of worry crossed his eyes, but then, in an instant, it was gone. And returned was Evren.HerEvren and she was lost all over again.
“Tall—”
“Just kiss me, Evren,” she whispered, cutting off any voice of reason.
She didn’t want to hear it. She just wanted this. Wanted him. He didn’t speak again as he closed the gap between them, kissing her deeper than before. She parted her dress to wrap her legs around his waist, and her spine tingled.
His hands ran up her back, then dragged down slowly until they planted firmly at her hips. His lips never left hers, and she decided she’d be perfectly happy if they never did again.
Tallulah opened her mouth, their tongues meeting, sending a thrill through her body. His hands pressed deeper into her, putting the least amount of distance between them.
But it was still too great. Too many obstacles stood in her way. She pulled back, breaking their kiss. Evren watched her, his lids heavy, his breathing ragged.
“What is it?” he asked.
Tallulah smiled at the worry in his voice. She ran her thumb over his bottom lip, something she’d longed to do for ages.
“You’re wearing too many clothes,” she whispered.
Seventeen
Evren chuckled,but when Tallulah didn’t, he knew she was serious.
He took a step backward, already missing the touch of her lips on his. He couldn’t believe she’d kissed him. How she could look at him as anything but a monster was beyond him, but he’d given her the space to decide. And she chose to kiss him of all things.
Maybe that made him selfish. But Tallulah had full control here, and they both knew it.
Tallulah.
Saying her name aloud almost felt as good as her lips.
Almost.
Slowly, he unbuttoned his vest, ignoring the glare from his captain’s badge as it hit the floor.
Tallulah watched his every move, still positioned atop the workbench. The pink of her lips matched the blush of her cheeks, and it made Evren crazy in the best way knowing he’d been the cause.
His eyes didn’t leave hers as he pulled his dark shirt up and over his head before tossing it on the ground. Tallulah’s gaze only broke his to trail down his body. She scanned every inch of his exposed chest and abdomen before her eyes finally met his again.
Her gaze froze him in place. His lungs struggled to expand under her scrutiny.
When he didn’t move, Tallulah tsked.
“Are you going to remove your pants, or do you need me to do that for you?” she asked with a laugh.
Evren laughed too, breaking him from the spell. His fingers moved with haste, unlacing his pants, and stepping out of them. She smiled and his heart stopped. How could she ask him to do anything when she looked at him like that?
By some miracle, he took a step forward. Then another until he was between her legs again.
“Evren.” She leaned forward to meet his mouth.
Their kiss was blazing, and he hated she was still covered. But he knew it would be her choice. She would decide what happens next and he would happily let it stay that way. If him being the one vulnerable made her more comfortable, he’d do it every time.
His hands moved down her body before finding purchase on the tops of her thighs. Her dress had ridden up, exposing her legs, and he relished in the feeling of her skin against his.
She wrapped her legs tighter around his waist, arching her back with each passionate kiss. He broke away, leaving them both breathless.
