I ignore Lola’s request, my mind still caught on the words that just came out of her lying little mouth.
“You said you didn’t remember that night,” I say, working hard to keep my voice steady. “You said whatever drug that shithead slipped into your drink messed with your memories and you didn’t remember anything.”
Lips pursed, eyes wide, she nods. “Right, yeah. It’s all just a blur.”
“Lola,” I growl, my hand clenching into a fist because even just thinking about that night, about what Carson did to her, has me wanting to tear off heads.
Lola huffs and throws out her hands. “Well, what was I supposed to say? ‘Thank you very much for saving my life. I’m sorry I got drunk and ran off with a dangerous biker, but my heart was breaking because the guy I’ve been in love with since I was eleven just rejected me so either he doesn’t feel the same way or maybe I’m just that bad at kissing because?—’”
I cross the space between us in two quick strides, cradle her cheeks in my palms, and crash my lips onto hers.
A squeak slips from her mouth but I swallow it down, dragging at her chin with my thumb until she opens for me. Waves crash in my ears. She tastes of fire and strawberries, like a liqueur so strong it shoots straight through my veins to the vibrant beat of my heart.
I thought I remembered what it was like to kiss Lola Ford. I’d fall asleep to the memory of her lips touching mine. I’d compare every kiss to hers. I’d deny myself the pleasure of imagining their soft, pillowy heat.
I had no fucking idea.
Time had dulled my memory and now synapses in my brain are flickering to life with every stroke of my tongue against hers. I don’t know how twenty-five-year-old me walked away from this because it’s intoxicating. There’s no way in hell I’m going back to a life where I don’t get to kiss Lola.
“Roman,” she breathes my name, the syllables rippling over my skin straight down to my hardening cock.
I drop my hands to her hips and lift her up. She hooks her legs behind me and I spin us around, carrying her to the edge of the orchard. We collide into the nearest tree, her back up against the trunk as her fingers tangle in my hair.
The leaves rustle above us and a few apples fall to the ground, but I don’t care. I like the idea that we’re leaving our mark. I’m not going to be the same after this so it’s only fair the earth isn’t either.
I pull away from her mouth but only because the promise of the soft skin of her neck calls to me as she tilts back her head in pleasure. I breathe her in then nip and suck at her skin. God, the things I want to do to this woman.
I thought I didn’t have a chance. I thought I was a childish crush she’d long since forgotten. I can’t even begin to fathom that she never stopped wanting me and I hate that she thinks I rejected her because I didn’t feel the same way.
I pull back, my breaths coming in heavy as I find her eyes with mine. “Just so we’re clear, you arenota bad kisser.”
A smile spreads across her face. “I kind of figured since I never got complaints from any other guys.”
Jealously flares inside of me and I push my hips into her, settling myself between her thighs.
She whimpers, her legs clenching around me.
My hand trails over the thin strap of her dress and I bring it to a rest against the hollow of her throat, collaring her neck just enough to get her attention. “Do me a favor Firebird, don’t mention other men when you’re in my arms.”
Heat burns in her hazel eyes and seeing her reaction has my cock straining against the zipper of my shorts.
She bites her bottom lip, an edge of wariness creeping into her gaze. “Does that mean you plan on having me in your arms again?”
“Fuck, yes.” I move my hand higher, circling her throat and tilting her head back so I can capture her mouth once more. I drag her bottom lip between my teeth because if she gets to do it then so do I.
She moans, her hips grinding against me but then her palm comes down to my chest and she pushes me back. “Roman, wait.”
“Don’t want to,” I grumble like a fucking toddler told to give back his favorite toy. But I’m a grown ass man and I know what consent means so I pull back and listen.
Lola’s eyes crease. She tilts her head to the side. “What is happening right now?”
“I’m done holding back. That’s what’s happening.”
“You’re kidding, right?Yourejectedme.”
The muscles in my jaw tighten. “You were eighteen.”
“So? That excuse has a time limit, Roman. I haven’t been eighteen in six years.”
