Page 131 of When Lies Unfold

Those black eyes blaze, but it’s the trace of uncertainty in them that compels my words to spill out. “I didn’t kiss him back.”

Relief washes over his features before scorching heat reignites in his gaze. A hint of challenge enters his expression. “Why not?” He lowers his face to mine, his hot, minty breath dancing across my skin. With each word, his mouth dusts against mine. “Is it ’cause of me?”

I nip at his bottom lip, relishing in his low hiss. “Would you’ve kissed Keyna back?”

He rears back, and for a breath-stalling moment, I fear his answer. That fear thickens, escalating to a sick churning in my stomach, when his lips twitch into a smirk.

Shit. Why did I say that? I should’ve never?—

My thoughts are interrupted when he lowers his face to mine, his smile turning molten. “Keyna who?”

It’s those two words that irrevocably slay me. They soothe the bruises, fill in the cracks, and smooth out the dents of my weary and battered heart.

Our mouths collide in a kiss that has me clutching at him with near desperation. Emotions twist and knot themselves inside me, but I ignore them, giving myself over to the heady sensations of his mouth as it slants over mine, his tongue diving deeper. That hot, needy pull in my core that only he’s been able to bring to life.

My hands sweep down from his shoulders to where his shirt’s tucked into his pants. Filled with desperation and impatience, I tug at the fabric, my fingers fumbling with his belt. When his hands cover mine, stopping me, my eyes flash open in alarm.

Mouth against mine, he delivers a soft kiss between words. “The idea of bendin’ you over this table is temptin’—no doubt—but I got other plans for you.”

I smile against his lips. “What kind of plans?”

Taking my hand in his, he walks backward, leading me toward the hallway. My heart stalls in my chest at his expression, because desire blends with what appears to be heated affection.

“The kind where you’re not allowed to leave my room for a while.”

His uncharacteristically playful tone pulls a little laugh from me. “Is that so?”

He pauses, hauling me close, cradling my face in his other hand. Dragging his thumb over my bottom lip, his eyes track the motion, and his next words rob me of all ability to breathe.

“If I had my way, I’d never let you leave.”

56

SANTIAGO

“If I had my way, I’d never let you leave.”

My admission has Lola’s lips partin’ on a staggered breath, her eyes takin’ on a brightness I’ve never witnessed.

It’s only now that I realize how she interpreted what I said. That I want her to stay forever. In actuality, I meant, if I had my way, I’d never let her leave my bedroom.

Not much in this world scares me, but the prospect of gettin’ attached to her scares the fuckin’ shit outta me.

Antsy as hell to shove that aside and desperate for a distraction, I capture her bottom lip between my teeth and give it a slight tug. My cock’s already pressin’ against the front of my pants, eager to be buried inside her again.

“You ready?”

“I’m ready,” she whispers back.

I don’t wanna admit I rush us down the hallway until I make it to my room. Don’t wanna admit how my hands shake like an addict goin’ through withdrawal.

I don’t wanna admit that when I press her back against my closed bedroom door and take her mouth again, a sense of rightness settles inside me. It throws me off-kilter, which is why I force myself to step back.

She leans against the hard surface, her tits risin’ beneath that tank top, nipples pokin’ against the material.

I make quick work of unbuttonin’ my shirt and cast it aside. After removin’ both holstered weapons, I tug off my boots and socks.

Tacklin’ my belt and pants next, once they’re gone, her eyes slowly track the length of me, over my shoulders, chest, and abs as if she’s intrigued as hell by all my tattoos. When her gaze lingers on where my cock juts against the fabric of my boxer briefs, I shove them down my hips and kick them off.

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