Fingers dug into his arm, eliciting a low hiss that had Emmett gasping.
“This is a bad idea,” Emmett said, his voice low and unsure.
“I know.”
That didn’t stop him from pressing his lips to Emmett’s. The first taste of Emmett had him groaning, the second had him sliding a hand into Emmett’s hair to jerk his head back and deepen the kiss.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Emmett
WILDER WAS kissing him.Wilderwas kissing him. It felt so fucking good. Wilder’s lips were soft but insistent, his tongue slipping into his mouth with a vigor he tried to match. Wilder’s fingers were in his hair, that big hand cradling the back of his head as he thoroughly devoured his mouth. All he could do was hold on as heat rushed through him, his whole body alight with need. Need for this man.
He’d never been kissed like this before. There wasn’t just need in the way Wilder pressed their lips together, in the way their tongues tangled in perfect harmony. There was reverence. Wilder kissed him like he was someone to worship. This kiss was so… Wilder.
“Fucking divine,” Wilder whispered against his lips before pulling back.
He blinked up at Wilder, his heart wreaking havoc in his chest, his whole body alight with desire. He wanted this man more than he wanted his next breath, but he was afraid that if they gave in, that breath would end up being his last.
“I…” He sucked in a shaky breath, blinking at Wilder as words eluded him.
Wilder cocked his head to the side, worry creasing his brows. “You alright? Did I?”
“No. I wanted to.” He squeezed his eyes shut, shaking his head. “I just… I don’t want to ruin what we have,” he said, the words coming out almost breathless.
Big hands cupped his face, and he lifted his head to stare into eyes the color of a tranquil forest. Looking into those eyes felt as serene as their time at the lake. Feeling those hands on him, though? Pure destruction. He only wanted more.
“Nothing can ruin what we have.” Thumbs brushed his cheeks, green-flecked eyes staring into his. “If you don’t want it to get physical, then it won’t.”
“It’s not that I don’t want that…” He swallowed hard, pulling out of Wilder’s hold because concentrating was impossible with the man touching him. He worried his bottom lip, unsure how to explain what he felt. He couldn’t imagine anything worse than giving in to this, only to have Wilder pull away like so many others had.
“I’m soft and squishy.”
Wilder’s brows lowered, and his voice held a slight tone of anger as he said, “And what exactly makes you think I don’t want soft and squishy?”
Fuck. Was he the one being presumptuous now? Was he stereotyping?
He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, then shifted it again, unable to meet Wilder’s gaze.
“I just…” He shook his head, turning away from Wilder. “I’ve been with guys who look like you before, and I know you’re saying that now, but?”
Fingers grasping his chin had him sucking in a sharp breath, pulse tripping as he looked up at Wilder. He was looking at him with something burning in his eyes. The same desperate need he felt thrumming in his veins.
“I want you to see me when I say this, so you don’t miss a single word,” Wilder said, his voice uncharacteristically rough. “I love the way you look. I love that I can grab onto you. I love that you’re real. That you’re open and honest with me.”
His self-preservation went straight out the window. Who cared if he was going to end up with a broken heart? Who cared that Wilder had the power to completely shatter him?
He reached for Wilder, hands landing on his wide chest. He felt Wilder’s shuddering breath and slowly raised his gaze, bottom lip caught between his teeth. Hands grabbed his hips, jerking him up against Wilder’s much bigger body. He tilted his head back, heart racing as he met Wilder’s gaze. Something settled inside him at the way Wilder looked at him. Nothing but need and desire in those eyes.
He slid his hands up Wilder’s chest to the back of his head, fingers slipping into soft strands. His lashes fluttered as he felt Wilder’s breath against his lips. Yes. He wanted this. He wanted Wilder. Even if it might ruin everything. Even if it might ruinhim.
Wilder pulled back with a soft curse.
He blinked at Wilder. Did he change his mind?
His heart thumped loudly in his chest, and he opened his mouth, unsure what he would’ve said had he gotten the chance before Wilder held up a hand to stop him and pulled out his phone.
Wilder put the phone to his ear and turned away from Emmett, pacing a short distance in front of him. He could tell from the deepening furrow of his brows that whatever the call was about, it wasn’t good. He wrapped his arms around himself, nerves fluttering inside him as anxiety crept in. He didn’t like that frown on Wilder’s forehead one bit.
