She steps out of the shower. Her wet red hair trails down her bare back as she walks toward the closet, not a single piece of clothing on her. She doesn’t notice me standing in the corner by the window. Watching her.
She moves closer, reaches inside, and pulls out a pair of black lace thongs. She slides them slowly up her long legs, then lifts them to her hips. When she turns, her body faces me fully, her curves impossible to ignore.
“Kitten,” I murmur, biting my lip, “don’t move.”
She flinches, a sharp breath leaving her as she spins around. Her hand grabs a white blouse from the closet and presses it against her chest, covering herself as her eyes search the room.
“Leave,” she says. Her gaze drops for a second as I step closer.
“No.” My eyes move over her, taking in every inch. “I came for what you promised me.”
“And that is?”
“Ten ways to kill me,” I say with a low chuckle, closing the distance between us.
“I’ve only written two,” she whispers, swallowing as her lips part. She lifts her hand, pointing toward the paper on the nightstand.
I don’t look at it.
I look at her mouth.
“I can give you ten of mine first,” I say, stepping in until there’s nowhere for her to go. I press her back against the closet, my hand sliding from her neck down to her breasts.
“If you even try,” she says, her voice steadier now, “I’ll strangle you with a telephone cord so you won’t be able to call anyone ever again.”
I laugh, pulling her closer. “You amuse me, Kitten.”
“Try me.” She leans in, her face inches from mine. I feel her breath brush against my lips.
I don’t hesitate. My mouth crashes into hers, stealing whatever words she was about to say. My tongue slides against hers, searching, finding that same fresh mint taste I’ve been addicted to since the first time we kissed. She doesn’t pull away. She melts into it, into me, like she’s been waiting too.
My hand finds her waist, drawing her closer until there’s no space left between us. I hold her there, like if I loosen my grip she might disappear. I’ve waited too long for this. Too fucking long.
I break the kiss just long enough to breathe, then I’m on her again. This time I lift her, her thighs wrapping around my hips as I carry her to bed.
She leans back, her eyes locked on mine. There’s something in them. Heat. Lust. Like she knows this crosses a line we can’t uncross.
“This is your chance to run, Kitten,” I say. “If you stay, I won’t stop at just a kiss.”
She doesn’t answer. Just watches me.
My gaze drifts from her eyes to her body, the way her breath betrays her.
I take a step back, giving her space. Giving her a choice.
One last one.
She stands, then moves toward me instead.
“What happens if I run?” She asks quietly.
“I won’t stop chasing you until I catch you.”
“So, I don’t have a choice either way?”
“Do you want one?”
She shakes her head.
