“Damien…”
“Hmm?” I let my gaze roam her face, watching her breath deepen and a light scarlet hue danced over her skin in the moonlight.
She didn’t answer as I let my head drop, my lips hovering over her skin. I breathed in her scent as her head tilted to the side, just enough to give me access to her delicate neck if I wanted it.
“What are you doing?” Her voice came out raw and weak.
“I’m not doing anything,” I whispered into her ear.
She shuddered, and I resisted the urge to run my nose along her temple and press my lips to her skin. I didn’t want to cross a line we weren’t ready to cross.
Was Iready to cross that line?
The inferno in my blood sang for only her. My dick pressed tightly against my jeans, trying to break free and share precisely what I wanted to do to her. I fought every instinct I had to reach my hand into her hair and pull her into me, opening up those delicious lips with my tongue. To stop myself from sliding my hands down her curves and finally giving that fine ass a squeeze. From spreading her legs and pulling her pussy up against me.
All this anticipation, seeing her in front of me but knowing she didn’t belong to me, was building inside me. Each moment brought us closer and closer to an all-consuming explosion.
I was usually a picture of perfect restraint, but this had me at the end of my rope. Her breath came faster, deeper, and the rise and fall of her chest captivated me. Her body hummed with electricity and if I touched her, I’d be done for.
I removed my hands and stood but stayed mere inches from her.
Cadence let out a shaky breath. “I don’t want you. I can’t want you.” And yet, her body told me a completely different story. Hunger appeared in her amber eyes as her gaze jumped to my lips.
“I don’t want you, either,” I whispered.Why not add one more lie to the equation?
In my fantasies, I could hear her moan as my body pressed into hers. The ecstasy that encompassed us, while we took all we wanted from each other, enough to make both of us see those stars in the sky up close.
I wanted her. I needed her. My hands ached to touch her. She was so close, her body warm and welcoming to mine despite the words she placed around herself like armor.
I held her gaze, her nose inches from my own. Her lips fell open as she lifted her chin, daring me to make my move. Our lips instinctively seeking each other out.
My hand betrayed me, and I reached up to touch her cheek. She leaned in, but I stopped the bastard before he made contact.
I couldn’t do it.
We both had our reasons for holding back.
She had someone—Elijah.
And I had an ex who made sure I’d never forget her.And not in a good way.
My sudden thoughts of Vanessa brought a chill down my spine.
Nothing like a theoretical ice bucket dumped on your head.
It was enough to clear the fog that had gathered around me from Cadence’s proximity.
I let my hand drop and took a step back, putting some distance between us, and ran a hand through my hair.
I cleared my throat. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think it’s hotter out here than inside. Unusually warm for October, isn’t it? Wanna head back in?”
Cadence nodded, and when I offered her my hand, she took it without hesitation.
That small amount of contact was everything after being in her space moments ago. I laced my fingers through hers and ran my thumb over her knuckles as we walked toward the restaurant with slowed footsteps, prolonging the inevitable separation.
When we reached the door, we wordlessly pulled our hands apart. I opened it and stepped aside, gesturing for her to go first.
Those amber eyes bore into me, trying to see everything I held inside before she turned and stepped in.
