Page 31 of Theirs to Tempt: The Marriage Claim

Even though I’m prepared, I’m…not.

He captures my mouth with a heat that steals the breath from my lungs, sweeping his tongue in without hesitation, tasting, demanding, every stroke deliberate and deep.

I’ve never ever experienced anything like that. Like him.

Of their own accord, my hands rise, and I fist the front of his shirt, meaning to shove him away.

But sensation overwhelms me.

His possession is hot and insistent. And the faint scrape of stubble against my chin sends awareness spiraling through me.

I can’t have this kind of response to a man I hate.

I…can’t.

Caleb feathers back my hair, his touch shockingly gentle in contrast with Lucian’s demands.

Desperately I try to push Lucian away, but Caleb strokes my jaw.

Instead of fighting, I open my mouth wider, meeting his kiss with a fierceness that shocks me.

Caleb slides a hand into my hair, gripping the bun and tilting my head for Lucian to take even more.

Now I’m lost, clinging to him, every nerve alive, my breasts pressed tight against his chest.

Shocking me, my nipples tighten, then become a low ache.

This can’t be happening, but the heat sears even more intensely, and I’m trapped between them to the point I can’t tell where his hunger ends and mine begins.

He breaks the kiss slowly, lips lingering against mine, breath mingling in the small space between us.

My eyes flutter open to find his eyes are filled with heat.

Then he smiles, slow and wicked, full of promise, a grin that says he knows exactly what the kiss just did to me.

“Until tomorrow night…”

Chapter Ten

Sophie

Wear our dress.

The text lights up my phone screen, and I slam the device face down on the small wrought-iron table so hard that my water glass jumps.

Damn Lucian.

Why can’t I get away from him?

Frustrated, I pull my hair back from my forehead.

Between him and his menacing sidekick, my life has been wrecked. And I hate them for it.

I take a sip of the water, trying to regain my composure.

The patio of Vino & Vine is usually one of my favorite places. They have an incredible happy hour, and since my best friend loves it as much as I do, we try to meet up once a week.

And today, I need to see her.