At first, it’s feather-light, just the barest press of his lips on mine. They make tiny circles against my mouth like he’s memorizing the shape of it.
My knees go soupy.
He pulls back a fraction, his breath ragged. “Do you want more?”
My whole body tingles. My nipples buzz to life. Heat pools low in my belly. It’s molten hot and disorienting.
“Yes,” I whisper.
Something in his eyes flares, and this time, his mouthclaimsmine. The kiss is warm and deep and slow. His tongue traces the outside of my mouth until it slides inside and finds mine. He’s gentle…and somehow devastating, like he’s unraveling me with every breath. My fingers clutch his shirt. He’s the only thing keeping me from melting right into the floor.
He tilts my head and kisses me deeper. Coaxes my tongue to tangle with his and tastes me as if he’s starving. “Fuck, you’re so sweet.”
This is nothing like Kosta. It’s nothing like anything I’ve known. Like a bolt of lightning kissing a tree and the treekissing back.
My skin prickles. My heart pounds. And I no longer feel entirely human.
When Rhys finally tears his mouth from mine, there’s sweat on his brow, his chest heaving like he just ran a 10k.
“Oh, Christ, I—” he starts, almost apologetic.
“How was that?” I blurt.
He stares at me, then slowly drawls in his thick accent, “That was the best kiss of my life.”
“Better than with your other girlfriends?”
His lips twitch. “I’ve never had one.”
I blink. “What?”
“I’ve never had a girlfriend. Until you, Fallon.”
“Oh.” I smile and try to match his wickedness. “Good.”
His eyes darken, slow and sexy. “You always this confident?”
“Only when I mean it,” comes out because he makes it easy to be confident. He gives me that boost instead of dragging me down.
Something hot and reckless coils between us, wicked enough that neither of us moves. His gaze drops to my mouth, then back to my eyes. There’s a brief lick to his lips, and thenhiseyes close softly.
“Well… Good night, Fallon,” he says, low and deep.
It’s not a dismissal. It’s a promise of more kisses another day.
“Good night, Rhys.” I wink and turn before I can second-guess myself.
Smiling, I glide into my apartment, leaving him alone in the hallway with that look in his eyes that I don’t think I’ll ever forget.
I don’t even remember walking inside.
All I know is I’m leaning against my kitchen counter, dazed and electric. As I move to get a glass of water, I feel a strange dampness in my underwear.
“Um,” I murmur, peeking down at myself. “I feel something warm. Between my legs.”
Fern giggles.‘You’re aroused, sweetheart. I don’t blame you.’
“Oh.” Feeling bold, I slip my finger under my skirt and inside my panties. My eyes go hazy at how wet I am. “I… I feel something. I want… I want Rhys in my bed.”
