Page 32 of Caesar DeLuca
“I already told you,” I snap, spearing her with a stern look. “I’m particular.”
She puts on a megawatt smile that’s bright even in the candlelit room. She looks radiant among the long shadows and frosty air. Never more beautiful than in this moment. So much so I find it difficult to break our eye contact.
I’m drawn to the woman. I’m studying her bright, dark eyes and then her plump lips and how the rest of her round features accentuate them. Before I’m even able to make a conscious decision about it, I’m leaning toward her.
She takes the cue and leans toward me.
We meet in the middle with the touch of our lips.
My pulse speeds into overdrive as soon as it happens.
At the feel of her soft lips, I’m already a man losing restraint. Natural dominant urges surge through my veins and make me reach for her. I cup her face in my hands and kiss her like you’re supposed to kiss a woman as desirable as she is.
I claim her mouth like it should be claimed—with the right amount of passion and assertiveness. Her subtlest reactions tell me what I need to know. The tiny gasp that traps itself inside her throat and the hesitant part of her lips.
But she doesn’t pull away. The surprise vanishes and she melts into me.
She invites me inside.
My palm slides to the side of her neck and my tongue slips past her lips. I’m skillful in how I stroke mine against hers. Slow and gentle but demanding too.
Communicating how much I want this moment.
How much I want her.
If we keep kissing like this, she’s exactly what I’ll have.
The reality of where we’re headed seems to dawn on her all at once. She goes from a throaty hum of approval when I rub my tongue to hers to suddenly going stiff. Her lips lose their warmth and she begins pulling away.
When she finds no easy escape, she shoves at my chest. I’m so mixed up by the taste of her lips that it catches me by surprise and sends me tumbling off the sofa. I land with a thump that’s almost louder than the howls of wind outside. She pops up with an expression of horror written on her face.
“I’m so sorry.” She crawls off the couch, gathering her fleece robe and Kindle. “I’m… I need a moment.”
Just like that, she’s gone from the room. In a house as dark and large as this one, it’s easy to disappear.
I don’t chase after her. I let her go, running a hand over my slicked hair. To be frank, I’m not even sure what the hell just happened myself.
12
ARIANA
“Why would you do that, Ari?” I groan the moment I’m alone. My bedroom door snaps shut and I lean against it, tempted to bang my head. “Why would you kiss him? Why would you put yourself in that situation?”
I let out another groan thinking back to a few minutes ago.
The air between us has been charged all day long. Hour to hour it’s evolved, taking me through a journey of confusion, desire, playfulness, and even outrage. As it’s developed into the late evening, I should’ve been prepared.
I should’ve known where things were heading.
He leaned toward me with an intense gleam in his gaze. His attention dipped a couple inches lower. He was staring at my mouth, coming in close. I gave no real thought to what to do. I surrendered to the feeling washing over me.
Desire I haven’t felt in years. Not since Freddie. Not since… ever.
I suck in some air and step away from the bedroom door. Instead, I pace the room wall to wall, sheathed in darkness. Caesar made no attempt to come after me. He hasn’t made a peep since I fled the den.
The house is silent and still.
The wind blows harder, making trees shake and the window shutters bang against the house. These sounds create the background music needed to pull me deep into my head. I’m propelled down a black hole of conflicting thoughts and emotions.
