We’ll all agree to blame the fever. Got it, brain?
I move my hand that’s been suspended in the air andsoftly clutch his jaw, angling it slightly. I inhale sharply because the feel of his skin on mine burns. Or I’m burning up for a reason that’s entirely different from the fever.
My thumb strokes along his sharp jaw, and every rub of skin against skin, every instance of friction electrifies me.
I haven’t felt this stimulated in forever, and I’measilystimulated.
My lips part, and I suck in a choked load of air, then stop, not daring to breathe as I lower my head. I pause for one fraction of a second, trying to find any form of reason.
But this feels like the rightest thing I’ve ever done.
And I just…go for it.
With a shaky breath, I drop my mouth to his.
Fuck.
Fucking hell.
My lips are merely touching his, but it’s as if a whole explosion is taking place in my chest. A goddam epic proportion of fireworks in the form of my erratic heartbeat and buzzing ears.
No.
No.
Fuck.No.
Vaughn shifts, and I jerk my head back, feeling as if I just committed the worst sin.
I wait for him to open his eyes and call me names.
Punch me, even. I’d take it. I certainly deserve it.
But he just remains asleep.
I close my eyes and let the cold press in—everywhere except where he’s touching me.
For the first time, I think maybe I truly fucked up.
7
VAUGHN
PRESENT — AGE NINETEEN
My life is everything it should be.
Excellent grades, Ivy League college, and a future mapped out for greatness.
My parents brought up the ideal heir for their empire. A perfect blend of their genes and the most suitable candidate to take over once they decide to retire.
So now that I’m in college, I’m being handed more responsibilities to prepare me for my role.
While my friends decided to go overseas to attend a college funded by our fathers that’s situated on an island on the coast of the UK, I chose to study at Columbia University.
In order to stay close to my parents.
And to have full access to the operations side of things.
