Page 51 of Paper Hearts & Plot Twists

“Only when you spout nonsense,” she said. She grabbed a flute from the nearest table and handed another to Miles.

“I’ll have you know I spout less nonsense than anyone else I know,” Miles said.

“It’s still nonsense—“ Emily cut off as she looked to the right. “Let’s go out to the balcony. I’m pretty warm right now.” She didn’t wait for a response, instead set her drink down and tugged him toward the door.

Miles set his drink by hers and asked, “What prompted the sudden change?”

“Vanessa was over there chatting someone up. I don’t want her to see us and have to deal with her telling me how ugly I am, and how she taught you everything you know.”

“My hero,” Miles whispered. He glanced over his shoulder. Less than twenty feet from them Vanessa was locked in conversation with a young man, and not looking in their direction. Miles followed Emily through the doors.

“You owe me one,” Emily whispered, leaning against the pillar of the balcony rail.

“You can have whatever I’m capable of giving,” Miles responded. He stepped close to Emily and placed his arm beside her on the rail, his thigh pressing to hers. Startled, she realized they weren’t joking any longer.

“What?”

Miles lifted a hand to Emily’s cheek, brushing his thumb along the smooth skin. He tucked a curl behind her ear. “Tell me if this isn’t okay,” he whispered. He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers in a soft kiss. “I’ve been wanting to do that for days,” He pressed his forehead to hers and looked into her chocolate eyes.

Emily stared back at him, her eyes wide. “I don’t understand,” she whispered. “I thought this was just a game.”

“Nothing could ever stay fake with you. That first day had me falling.”

“Why me?”

“It’s been you from the moment you climbed into bed with me. It took me about an hour to figure that out,” Miles whispered, pressing his lips to hers in a chastely.

Emily brought her hands up, clenching them as she reached his collar. Miles grabbed her thighs, lifting them to his waist, then pressed her back into the pillar.

Emily leaned in and kissed him. What she lacked in experience, she made up for in enthusiasm. Emily moaned into the kiss, their lips and tongues clashing in a fiery dance.

“What now?”

“Whatever you want, love,” Miles said against her lips.

“What if I said I want the two of us in a bed without clothing?”

“Then I’d tell you that your wish is my command.”

“Miles, I want you naked and inside of me,” Emily whispered, nipping at his ear. Miles bit her neck, sucking the smooth skin for a moment before pulling back and setting Emily onto the ground on shaking legs.

“Your wish is my command.”

Chapter 38

The door shut behind them with a thud. Shoes came off, kicked to the side. His hand wandered up her back, fingers dancing up her neck. Goosebumps trailed in their wake. Lips locked in a searing kiss.

Emily wrapped a hand around Miles’s waist, trailing the other down his chest. When she reached his waistband, she tugged his shirt free from his pants. His skin felt warm against her hand.

“Damn,” he hissed, his fingers slipping into her curls, pulling Emily’s head back. “You’re irresistible.” He pressed forward as their lips clashed.

“I’ve wanted you for days,” Emily whispered. She slid her hand to the front of his shirt and started working her way down the buttons. Miles lowered his face to her neck, breathing her in as he sucked at her pulse point. With one hand he pulled Emily in close, while the other reached behind her and tugged the zipper down.

Emily finished the last button on his shirt, reached for her dress, tugged the straps over her shoulders, and allowed the gown to pool at her ankles. She leaned against Miles, bare other than her underwear. Her skin felt hot against Miles’s exposed chest. She pushed up onto her toes and nibbled at his neck, sucking at the juncture between neck and shoulder.

“You’re so damn perfect,” Miles whispered, trailing his hands over her smooth shoulders toward her quivering spine. He unhooked her bra, teased at one strap, then slowly slid it off her shoulder.

“You’re going about this entirely too slow,” Emily said, pushing the bra off. She bit her lip and stared up at him with large chocolate eyes, feeling a bit insecure now that she was more exposed than she’d been around him. How could she compare when he’d dated women like Vanessa?

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