Page 26 of Captured By Fate

For a moment we stand frozen, my heart hammering wildly. I'm enveloped in his strength, one muscular arm wrapped firmly around my back, the other tucked beneath my knees. I grip his shoulders reflexively to steady myself.

Slowly Jackson sets me on my feet but doesn't relinquish his hold. Our eyes lock and a current of tension sparks between us. His face is unreadable, but his body is taut as a bowstring pressed against mine.

"Th-thank you," I stammer, pulse racing for an entirely different reason now.

A playful smile curves his lips. "Didn't anyone warn you about climbing the shelves? You have to be more...careful."

Despite my better judgment, I'm helplessly drawn to Jackson's rugged allure. His piercing eyes seem to look right through me, and the cut glass lines of his jaw make my fingers itch to trace them. His muscular physique exudes a sensual danger that awakens a primal hunger deep inside me, though I loathe admitting his magnetism even to myself.

His lips are on me before I can stop either of us.

Jackson's arms lock around me like iron bands, one hand tangling in my hair to hold me in place. For one dizzying moment, I'm lost, consumed by the fire of his touch and the taste of his mouth slanting over mine.

Then my senses return in a dizzying rush. My hands push at his chest, breaking the kiss with a surge of willpower. I gasp for air, my pulse racing with adrenaline and unspent desire.

Jackson's eyes blaze, his grip unrelenting. "Don't fight this, Kelley. You want me as much as I want you." His voice rumbles low, more temptation than threat.

"Let me go, Jackson." My demand comes out embarrassingly breathless. I curse my traitorous body for responding to him so easily.

With obvious reluctance, his hold loosens. But he doesn't step back, keeping me caged against the bookshelf. His smoldering gaze bores into me.

"We're not done here."

A promise and a warning. Jackson turns to leave, and this time I don't stop him. My lips still tingle from the heat of his kiss. I sink back against the shelf on trembling legs, his parting words echoing through my mind.

Another kiss seals my fate, the passion overwhelming my resolve.

Jackson's mouth claims mine again, insistent and demanding. This time I don't fight him. I return the kiss with abandon, lost in the storm of emotion and desire that he conjures.

His fingers dig almost painfully into my hips, pinning me in place. But I'm not trying to escape now. My hands slide up his chest, over hard muscle, until my arms twine around his neck.

I rise on tiptoe, molding my body to his, eliminating any space between us. Jackson makes a ragged sound low in his throat that sends heat spiraling through me.

His tongue sweeps past my parted lips, deepening the kiss. I meet him stroke for stroke, drunk on his taste and the thrill of letting go. Of giving in. I shouldn't want this so badly, but I'm helpless to resist.

When we finally break for air, Jackson trails heated kisses along my jaw and down my neck. I let my head fall back, eyes closed, awash in sensation.

"That's my girl," he rasps in my ear. His teeth graze my skin and I gasp, fingers tangling in his hair. Every nerve is alive, screaming for more.

The rasp of his stubble against my tender flesh is intoxicating. But through the haze of desire, doubts creep in. I've let this go too far. I'm losing myself in him.

With a monumental effort I still my restless hands and find my voice. "Jackson...wait. I-I can't..."

He lifts his head, eyes gleaming in the low light. Chest heaving, I hold his gaze, willing strength back into my limbs. This has to stop before he takes everything.

My fate balances on a razor's edge once more.

16

JACKSON

I’ve never wanted a woman as much as I do this one. I can’t keep my hands off her. Every curve, every delicious inch of skin calls to me.

We tumble along the bookshelves, and onto the leather sofa that sits against the bay window overlooking the grounds. My hand comes up to cup the back of her neck, so that I can continue kissing her without her pulling away.

My other hand gropes her breast roughly over her clothes. Each touch ellicits a moan of desire from her lips that courses straight through me. My dick is harder than a rock and more than anything I want to sink inside of her and fuck her.

I lower my hands to her jeans that I unbutton swiftly. The denim is cold, providing a stark contrast to the warmth of her body seeping through. My fingers trace along the waistband of her underwear before tugging gently at it, teasing her; the anticipation building and mingling with our shared desire.

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