Page 49 of When Hearts Ignite

I want to taste her lips at the source.

I want to bury myself deep inside her body and never resurface.

My body jolts as my mind finally catches up to my thoughts. My father’s crying face as he stood out in the rain in front of his other family floats to the surface.

Years later, when I was in high school, having my first and probably only heartbreak when the girl I liked said no when I asked her to the Valentine’s Day dance at our fancy prep school, Father sat me down and told me it was best not to allow our hearts to become attached. Because once a woman slipped in and captured the tender organ, she’d never let it go, even if she were no longer in your life. And for the rest of your life, you’d lose part of yourself, knowing you’d never be able to reclaim it.

I knew he was talking about the mysterious woman, the one who broke his heart. I could see the sadness radiating from his hazel eyes, the way he’d cradle his favorite mug with the handprint, tracing the imperfections on the ceramic.

At the time, I was glad my heart wasn’t ensnared yet, and was still in one piece. It was one of the few occasions Father truly spent time with me outside of academic events. We looked at the bright stars from our backyard deck, sipping on hot cider. His warning to me came from his broken heart.

Kingsley men don’t let emotions get the best out of them.

A cool breeze sweeps through the pier, and the couples around us shift closer, with the women burrowing themselves in their partners’ chests. Grace shivers, the tremor so slight I’d miss it if I wasn’t staring at her. A thickness forms in my throat and my heart kicks into a rapid rhythm, pounding so loudly I’m afraid she’d hear it.

I slowly shift behind her before drawing her into my arms. She freezes, her muscles tense, and I can feel her eyes staring at me before I shift into position. Wordlessly, I cradle her, my fingers trailing over her arm, drawing out a sigh from those beautiful lips. Closing my eyes, I breathe in the sweet scent of jasmine, an aroma I want to bottle up and carry with me always, because it’ll forever remind me of her, the only woman who has tempted me, dismantling my barriers as if they were made from paper.

Grace’s body softens against mine, her head lolling to the side, baring her smooth, slender neck. Unable to resist, I lean down and press my lips against her fluttering pulse, where her scent is the strongest. She lets out a soft moan, the sound shooting straight to my groin, and I increase the suction, letting myself be selfish one more time. If I can’t taste her lips yet, and I shouldn’t until she knows about the job offers, at least I can taste her skin and feel her tremble against me.

“Steven.” Her breathy voice is light as the breeze and her hand clutches my thigh.

My tongue dips out, swirling around the pulse, which is dancing with my lips, tasting the sweetness, the saltiness, the delicious flavor of her. Her fingernails dig into my muscles and I hiss in the pleasurable pain.

My skin is on fire and I want to touch her without all the clothes between us. I want to see her writhe in pleasure. My teeth scrape across that tender spot on her neck and her chest arches, her breathing quickening into deep pants. Her hips gyrate on my jacket on the ground and I know she’s wet. I can satisfy her, make her come with no one knowing.

A desperate need claws inside me, but I know I can’t touch her. Not until Friday, if she’ll still have me. It’s dishonest, not that I’m a paragon of integrity. I’m afraid I won’t be able to stop, and I’ll pull her into the abyss with me, snuffing out the flame shining brightly within her. I’m damaged, irreparable, and my broken pieces will slice and stab her until there’s nothing left.

My nerves spark alive in those small areas where our bodies graze each other, and all my senses are alert. Reluctantly, I pull back, a surge of satisfaction rushing through me at the pink mark on her slender neck.

Mine.

Grace stills and turns toward me. She doles out a shaky smile, her eyes shining with unsaid emotions, emotions I’m afraid to read or recognize, because I won’t be able to give her what she’s looking for.

My nostrils flare and I hold her gaze for a few more seconds before I tear my attention away from her to focus on the screen once more.

My heart threatens to escape my rib cage, my pulse hammering in my ears.

For the first time in my life, I finally feel the agonizing want of needing another person more than I need my next breath.

And I want more. I want to leap into the flames and put my heart in her hands.

“Someone’s in a good mood today. Where did you disappear to on Wednesday, anyway? I came back from a meeting, and you were gone.” Jamie leans against my cubicle wall as the office bustles with excitement.

Unofficial word is out that there should be an announcement on the full-time offers later today and gossip always livens the floor.

My gaze flickers to Jamie, finding her eyes narrowing to slits. The girl is much more perceptive than people give credit for.

Curving my lips into a grin, I fib, “I had a doctor’s appointment and had to leave a bit early. Why, something happened?”

I will my heart to stop racing and hope my face isn’t flushed pink. Burying my lips against the cup, I take another sip, watching Jamie as she purses her lips in contemplation before her eyes turn animated.

“You completely missed it, but Mr. Kingsley left the office before five. Everyone was talking about it. Bradley said he’s been here for five years and has never seen Mr. Kingsley leave before him. There are so many conspiracy theories floating about.”

I turn my face back toward my computer and make a show of staring at the spreadsheets, even though the numbers are not registering in my mind. I feel my face heating as my mind floats back to that night for the thousandth time today.

Sitting with him shoulder to shoulder at the pier, watching one of my favorite movies, was one of the best experiences I had in recent years. I can still feel the way he’d sneak glances at me throughout the film, the way he curled his arms around me under the guise of keeping me warm from the chilly breeze. I’ve never felt as safe as I had in that moment.

The way he kissed my neck, and how each suction and swipe of his tongue made me want to tear off his clothes and return the favor. My clit throbbed the entire night, my body ready to combust, and no amount of leg clenching offered any relief.

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