And when she moans into my mouth, all surrender and no restraint, I know I’m wrecked.
Because simply imagining my mouth, my tongue, my hands all over the woman next door was harmless. Manageable. Safe.
But actually tasting her? Feeling her?
That’s the point where logic stops and instinct takes over.
CHAPTER 9
Cami
His mouth is warm and commanding, movements slow but deliberate, like he’s savoring the moment. Savoringme.
And God, if kissing him is this good, what’s it going to feel like when that mouth explores the rest of me?
My heart’s a war drum, thundering in my chest, my mind spinning, warning me to pull away—while everywhere he’s touched burns, begging me not to move.
It’s been over a year since I’ve let anyone touch me. Not even a kiss.
And now, with Knox, everything I told myself about needing a detox, about building walls, feels weak. Fragile. Never meant to withstand a kiss like his.
Hands cupping my face, Knox caresses me like he’s not ready to let go. Neither am I.
He eases back but only enough for our mouths to part, his forehead resting gently against mine.
“I’ve been wanting to do that since the night I walked you to your door,” he rasps, fingertips leaving a trail of goose bumps as his hands glide to my waist.
I swallow hard, my palms resting against his chest, solid and warm beneath my touch, the quick rhythm of his heartbeat mirroring my own.
“Honestly, I was starting to think you might never get around to it,” I breathe, nerves spiking through my words. “And for the record, I’ve been wanting it too, even if I kept telling myself I shouldn’t.”
His gaze holds mine, steady and astute, as though he’s searching between words I haven’t spoken.
“Whatever you’ve been through, whatever you’re still working through, I understand.” He drops a kiss to my forehead, tender and reassuring. “We don’t have to figure out any of this tonight. We’ll take whatever’s next slow. As slow as you need. You, me, those kittens…we’ve got the whole summer.”
His words settle over me like a weighted blanket—comfort you don’t realize is missing until it’s wrapped around you.
“Wait. Are you seriously trying to change the subject?” Paxton’s rant crackles through my cell phone speaker as I dig through my suitcase.
“I’m not changing the subject. I’m multitasking.”
“Oh, really? Because I heard averyconvenient pause after I said his name.”
“You’re imagining things,” I lie, tugging a soft, coral-colored tank top over my head.
“You kissed him, didn’t you?” he insists, with zero chill. “Admit it. You kissed thatNeighbor Guy.”
“Technically, thatNeighbor Guykissed me.” I shove my suitcase back in the closet, ignoring the flutter in my chest at the memory of Knox’s lips on mine. “And our first kiss was?—”
“Hot?” he interrupts, his tone smug enough that I can picture the grin behind it.
“Scorching,” I tell him. “And also perfect. I forgot what a yummy make-out session even felt like.”
Paxton lets out a dramatic sigh. “Gosh, I hate you so much right now. My last suck-face was outside a Brooklyn dive bar. Guy was hella cute, but he tasted like menthols and mistakes.”
“Knox tasted like red wine and sin, so…” I trail off, smile tucked snugly inside my voice.
“And? What happened after?”
