“I think kisses are overrated,” she said, as though she were discussing the weather.
“They’re not,” I replied, the lump in my throat growing harder to ignore. Her presence was intoxicating, every inch of her pulling me in like gravity, and I wasn’t sure how much longer I could fight it.
“Can you teach me?”
“Kiara… you need to leave…now,” I said firmly, trying to keep my composure. She was no longer in control of her thoughts.
“You never teach me anything,” her words slurred slightly as her finger trailed lazily along the bridge of my nose, feather-light.
I swallowed hard. “Did your fiancé never…?” My heart pounded in my chest, and I couldn’t tell if it was hers or mine echoing in my ears.
Her fingers drifted to my stubble, tracing the line of my jaw with a softness that sent shivers down my spine. “He wasn’t interested in me.”
“Was he blind?”
“Nope.”
“An idiot?”
“Nope,” she said again, her lips curling into a faint smile.
“God, Kiara,” my hands moved to undo the first button of my shirt, trying to cool down, feeling the heat clawing at my sanity. “Come on, I’ll drop you off at your room.”
Her fingers, still tracing the edge of my jawline, drifted lower, brushing lightly over my lips before sliding down my neck. My whole body went rigid at her touch, caught between the instinct to protect her and the maddening urge to kiss her.
“Please don’t…” I managed to say, my voice breaking as her fingers brushed the top of my shirt, playing with the fabric like she was seconds away from unraveling me—literally.
Her gaze burned into mine as she whispered, “I dare you to kiss me, Mr. Oberoi…”
Between her teasing smirk and the sudden sorrow in her eyes, I wasn’t sure which part of her needed me more tonight—the girl who wanted to kiss, or the one who just didn’t want to feel unloved.
I caught her hand, holding it firmly as every nerve in my body screamed. “Kiara… this isn’t a game.”
Her eyes softened, a flicker of vulnerability peeking through the storm. “How difficult could it be?”
It wasn’t a question of how difficult—it was a question of howdangerous. And she had no idea just how close I was to losing my sanity. If I kiss her now, it won’t be a kiss. It’ll be a mistake. One she’ll regret, and I’ll never forgive myself for.
“Kiara,” I whispered, trying to gently pull away, but her arms tightened around my neck, pulling me closer. Her breath, warm and uneven, brushed against my skin, and I was two seconds away from breaking every damn rule in my life.
“Is this how you respond when a girl begs you for a kiss?” Her lips curled into a faint, bittersweet smile. Her words slurred slightly, her heavy eyelids betraying the intoxication that was slowly pulling her under.
Without saying another word, I slid my arms around her and lifted her gently. She felt light as air, her head naturally falling onto my shoulder as her drunken state took over completely.
Walking to her room, I moved carefully, every step deliberate, making sure to keep my thoughts in check. My focus was clear—get her to bed safely. No crossing lines, no moments of weakness that either of us would regret tomorrow.
I placed her on the bed, pulled the blanket up to cover her, and turned off the lights before stepping out.
The night wasn’t over, though. My neck burned with the ghost of her touch, and my body… Well, my body had its own complaints, ones I had no intention of entertaining.
11 ♥? Kiara
Why does my head feel like I’m carryingMt. Evereston my shoulders? I groaned, shifting uncomfortably on the bed.
“Hey, dreamyhead. Good morning.” Myra’s chirpy voice cut through the fog in my brain like a sledgehammer.
I cracked one eye open, instantly regretting it. “Why do I feel so heavy?” I pressed my fingers to my temples in an attempt to keep my head from falling apart.
“Probably because you drank every last drop of alcohol at the party.” I could practically hear her grin. “Oh, and your hot and sweet chef sent over this hangover smoothie. By the way… Did something happen last night? He looked kind of… lost when he dropped you off.”
