Maximilian Williamson.
“I can feel you staring.” She smirks.
“I can’t help myself. You’re beautiful.”
Her smirk turns into a full-blown smile. For a second, her eyes drop to my lips, and I know. She wants me to kiss her as badly as I want to kiss her.
Fuck it.
I come to a stop, and my hands move to cup her face. The pulse in her neck kicks up as her eyes darken. For once in my life, I don’t overthink it. I don’t second-guess it. I cover her lips with mine. When she parts her lips, I deepen the kiss but only slightly. It takes everything in me to keep the kiss PG.
I’ve kissed my fair share of women in my life, but none have ever felt as right as it does when I kiss her. I’ve always known that Iris is different, and the kiss confirms it.
She’s mine.
Iris makes a little noise in the back of her throat, letting me know she’s into it just as much as I am. For a split second, I contemplate taking it further, sneaking my tongue into her mouth and seeing how far she’s willing to let this go.
But I can’t. I won’t. I want this to happen the right way. Not on the heels of her coming home from a date with another man. Not with liquor in my system.
I need her to know this decision was made with a clear head.
When I pull away, I rest my forehead on hers.
“What was that for?” she asks breathlessly.
“I had to know,” I rasp.
“Had to know what?” she asks, her lips brushing mine as she speaks.
“If you tasted as good as I thought you would.”
Her breath catches. “And the verdict?”
“Even better.”
Reluctantly, I pull away and step back.
Her hand comes up, and she lightly touches her lips, making me smile.
“Where are you going?” she asks as confusion fills her face.
“Home. I’ll see you soon, Iris, and sleep tight.”
As hard as it is, I force myself to leave her apartment, even though it feels like I’m leaving something behind.
No, I know I’m leaving something behind, but it’s the right thing to do.
Soon. Soon enough I’ll never have to walk away from her again.
Chapter
Twenty-Four
IRIS
Waking up,I still cannot believe that last night was real.
It all feels like a dream.
