Page 95 of Fighting Fate

She saunters in, heading for the kitchen, throwing over her shoulder, "Don't start with the gentleman act now, Sunshine."

I move around the kitchen island with a wink. "Just watch how polite I can be."

She catches her lip between her teeth, a gesture that ignites a raw urge in me to taste it myself.

I pull out a chair, a hint of command in my voice. "Sit, will you?"

Her lips curve into a knowing smile, her gaze sending my mind racing back to that night in my truck. Climbing into it now, I'm torn between feeling like I'm betraying my grandpa's memory and reliving the most exhilarating night of my life. Every time I'm behind the wheel, all I can think about is her.

Her soft moans.

Her quiet whimpers.

The feel of her, warm and responsive, against my fingers.

"Miles, you still with me?"

I snap back to reality, noticing Milli's playful gesture, the same one I've used on her before. Now I'm the one lost in thought.

When did I start revolving around a woman?

But then, it's always been Milli, hasn't it?

I close the distance between us. Her eyes, curious and expectant, follow my every move. Instead of spelling out my intentions, I tug her closer by her waist. She gasps, and I know I've caught her off guard.

I edge in, so close I can almost taste her. We're right there, on the brink, teasing each other without a word. She runs her tongue over her lips, like she's daring me. Fuck, it's hard not to dive right in and see how far we can push this game. But I'm curious, you know, about where her limit is—and mine.

I pull her in tighter, our breaths getting all tangled up together. And just when she's about to shut her eyes, thinking I'm gonna kiss her, I switch gears. I grab her waist and launch into a full-on tickle attack. Her eyes snap open, all wide and shocked, then she gets it. I wasn't aiming for a kiss. Not just yet.

She tries to pull away as I tickle her, her laughter mixing with a look of defiance. She declares, "Off-limits, Miles!"

I cock an eyebrow, throwing her own game right back at her. "Oh? Seemed like fair game last week, didn't it?" Her cheeks light up with a blush, but she's quick to throw on her armor again.

"Yeah, well, that was then," she shoots back, all sass and fire.

I take a step closer, watching her retreat till the kitchen island stands like a fortress between us. But I've got a plan to breach those walls, to get past her teasing guard.

Her gaze follows my every move, anticipation building. I make a bold step forward, and she quickly moves around the island, her backpack swaying. I shake my head, her lip bite driving me crazy. I want to leap over the island, whisk her away, and show her that she wants it just as much now.

As her lips relax into a smug grin, I see it as my cue. But as I step forward, she retreats. Matching her movements, I pivot, closing the gap between us until we're face to face.

Our eyes meet, a silent understanding passing between us. My hands gently find her waist, and she leans into the touch, her eyes reflecting anticipation, as if she's fully immersed in the moment.

Without thinking, I hoist her up onto the island. She reacts in a flash, her legs wrapping around my waist as a thrill zips through me. I keep my hand firmly on her waist, her legs drawing me in, inch by inch.

In our encounters, I often take the lead, but now, I'm curious to see Milli assert herself. I wonder if she'll voice her desires, if she'll embrace that newfound confidence she's been exploring.

Milli slips off her backpack along with her black glasses, setting it aside with a meaningful look. She motions for me to come closer, but the counter is a barrier. Keeping my hands on her, I slide her to the edge, bridging the distance between us. Her eyes widen slightly in surprise, and she instinctively reaches up, her hands finding a comfortable place around my neck.

Milli

His fascination with countertops puzzles me, but I don't mind, especially when he tenderly lifts my chin with his knuckle and thumb. His voice, a whisper of temptation, breaks the silence. "Are you sure you don't want me to touch you now?" The tension, thick from our playful exchanges, hangs in the air.

My heart races, desire coursing through me. A part of me yearns to take control. He led last time, and while his dominance thrills me, there's a growing urge within me, a craving to express my own desires. But before I can act, he leans in, capturing my lips in a kiss that's tender yet charged with emotion. We break apart, foreheads touching, sharing a breathless moment.

"God, do you know how many times this week I've wanted to do this?" he confesses softly.

A smile dances on my lips. "Probably as much as I did," I admit, closing the gap again, this time initiating the kiss. His hand finds its way to my hair.