“Seriously. After my mom ran off with her latest asshole boyfriend, I’ve been too busy taking care of myself and Gem to go out. I can’t remember the last time I had fun.”
“I’m glad I could give you that.”
I chew my lip, wondering how much more he could give me. How much he could give Gem too. And all I have to do is marry him.
But there’s more to it. I know there is, even in the hazy swirl of alcohol, loud music, and excessive power. A wife should be easy to find. There’s a reason he wants me though.
I have no idea what it is. And I can’t seem to make it matter, not as he keeps stroking my leg, slowly and methodically, sending shivers of excitement down my spine.
“Tell me more about yourself,” he says, leaning in to speak into my ear. I find myself shuffling closer, almost perched in his lap. “What was your life like before your mother left?”
“Normal. Nothing special. Mom’s always been a mess, but we made it work. She’d disappear for a few days sometimes, but nothing like this. We never felt abandoned. She’d go on a bender, drink and smoke crack, but we’d be able to peel her from whatever gutter she fell into and get her back on her feet. There’d be tears, promises, you know that dance. She’d work for a few months, but end up back in her old habits eventually. We survived like that.”
“Must’ve been hard,” he murmurs sympathetically.
“Honestly, it wasn’t that bad. At least I had a life back then. I had friends. A little freedom. Now I’m just dragging through the days.”
“You’re a good sister.”
“Gem deserves it. I wish I had more to give.”
His lips brush my ear. I swallow back a whimper. What the hell is this man doing to me right now?
“There’s always more, Kira.”
I turn toward him. I reach up and lightly brush my fingers back into his hair. If I wasn’t tipsy right now, I wouldn’t be doing this. I’m distinctly aware of that. But alcohol doesn’t change who I am. It doesn’t turn me into some insane, mindless maniac like it does for some people. It just loosens me up. Knocks down the barriers. Makes me do what I’ve always wanted to do but had too many excuses.
“If you kiss me right now, it’s not a promise.” I stare into his eyes. He looks back, expression hard and burning. It’s shocking how badly he looks like he wants me. “I’m not going to marry you.”
“Yes, you will.”
“No, I mean it.”
“Maybe not tonight. Maybe not tomorrow. But I’m going to kiss you and you’re going to think about it for the next few days until you realize—” His thumb brushes over my cheek. “I can save your life if you let me.”
His lips hammer into mine. I meet him with a desperate intensity. Years of pent-up frustration flow out into this kiss. His tongue tastes like whiskey, wine, and mint. His mouth is hard and strong, and his stubble tickles me slightly. I whimper into the kiss as his hands grip me harder, pulling me tight into him like he can’t stand the idea of a gap between us. I fall into that kiss, tumbling like an acrobat missing the high wire, a freefall of terror and elation, knowing there might be a net to catch me but probably not. Our tongues twist together, and my pulse hammers between my legs, and I know this is stupid. I’m making a massive mistake.
But god, I want this so badly.
I pull back, gasping for air. He’s looking at me like he’ll shatter if I keep touching him. And for some reason, Mina’s voice whispers in the back of my head.It’s not too late to live a little.
Two forks in the road. Two choices split in front of me. The responsible, serious version of myself thanks him for a nice night, extracts myself from his extremely attractive hands, and runs the hell home.
But this version touches his face and whispers, “How much privacy do we have in the back of your car?”
He practically carries me out of the club.
The driver rolls the divider up as I straddle Stellan and kiss him hard, making out like my life depends on it. I grind into him as the car pulls out, shaking me slightly, but he steadies me, his strong hands gripping my ass tightly. Slowly, he tugs my dress up until my panties are pushing against his thickening bulge.
“I’m serious,” I say, shimmying out of my dress as he kisses my neck. I struggle not to moan, but my god, not only is Stellan absolutely stunningly handsome, he’s also got what I’m pretty sure is the biggest dick I’ve ever felt in my life. The thing’s a freaking hammer, and it’s only getting bigger. “This isn’t a promise.”
“You keep saying that.”
“I mean it. No promises.”
“I’m not going to make you say vows just so I can fuck you, Kira.”
I shiver and plunge my tongue into his mouth as he cups my breasts with both hands. His lips explore me as my dress ends up on the floor. I gasp when he turns and pushes me back against the seat, dropping to his knees. He’s so big he barely fits, but his mouth knows what it’s doing as he kisses my belly, my hips, down to my inner thighs. He licks me over my panties, looking like he’s opening the best present he’s ever been given.
