Page 40 of Thief of my Heart

I leaned in, this time enjoying the way he shuddered as my lips brushed his ear. “You weren’t the only one doing the kissing last night, Michael.”

Then I stepped back and traced his jaw with my finger. The coarse texture of his stubble cut into my fingertip ever so slightly. It was too easy to imagine what it might feel like…other places.

I shivered. I didn’t really know what I was doing. I’d never been much of a flirt. Most guys either found me too direct or too bossy. As a result, I didn’t have anywhere near the experience of most of my friends. I’d maxed out at second base, plus some heavy dry-humping in Victor’s apartment when his mom was at the store. Right before he dropped me for Gina Reyes.

I shuddered and pushed the thought of my nemesis and Michael’s ex-girlfriend out of my mind. If he was thinking of her at all, there was no sign of it. Not in the way he focused on me with unblinking, black-eyed intensity.

That intensity brought out a side of me I’d never known existed. One I kind of liked.

He closed his eyes and leaned into my touch, nuzzling my palm with his nose and full lips. “You’re gonna be the death of me, Lea Zola. You know that?”

“I hope not,” I murmured before withdrawing my hand. “I’d rather you stick with the living.”

He opened his eyes, full of fear, yes, but a heavy helping of desire. “What are the chances you’ll let this go?”

I shrugged. “I’d say…slim to none.”

His eyes shuttered again. It seemed to be his chosen method for dealing with whatever frustration I inspired.

I kind of liked it. Especially since when they opened again, I knew I’d won.

“One date,” he agreed. “One. And when it’s over, that’s it?”

“Sure, if that’s what you want at the end.”

“It’s already what I want.”

“Sure, it is,” I joked.

Before I could come up with a cutting remark, I was suddenly grabbed by the waist and shoved back against the wall of the church where I’d attended Mass every Sunday of my life. One of Michael’s admittedly large hands gripped my chin, forcing me to look at him and the sudden feral expression that had erased the last of his self-control.

“It’s a deal,” he growled. “Starting with this.”

His lips were hot and rough, his tongue insistent as it practically dueled with mine. I moaned into his mouth, my hands fisting in his coat as he pressed his body into me, making his desire utterly clear against my hip.

On holy ground.

But this couldn’t be wrong. It felt too good to be a sin.

As suddenly as he had begun, the kiss was over.

“I—who—what?” I gasped, my breath spilling into the air in wintry plumes. What had just happened?

“Told you I don’t do anything the right way,” he said with a smirk, as he pushed off the wall and started back toward the street. “That’s your goodbye kiss, Tess. Now go say your prayers and get your nonna’s groceries. I’ll be waiting for you at seven, right outside your house.”

Breathlessly, I nodded. I’d need a few moments before I headed into the church, though. Damn, but the boy could kiss.

“And, Lea?”

I turned toward Michael, who was about to step back out onto the sidewalk. “Yeah?”

“Maybe don’t tell your family who’s taking you out tonight,” he said. “The fewer people who know about the mistake you’re making, the better.”

I frowned. I wanted to ask again why he cared but decided I didn’t want to fight again. Not with his kiss still tingling on my lips.

Not when we would be able to “fight” properly later.

Yes, I decided as he disappeared around the corner that a good fight for our first date sounded perfect. I already knew he couldn’t walk away from one. Especially when it was with me.

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