Page 15 of Rocks You Like a Cabernet

“Sorry,” I ran a hand across my forehead, trying to shake the weird mood that descended. “It’s just that I know exactly what that feels like – the media making you out to be something, someone, you're not.”

“Are you talking about your last breakup?”

I make a rude noise, not able to stop how ridiculous that notion is.

“We did not break up. There was nothing to break up. Chad and I were co-stars, nothing more, but the idiot made some leading remarks during an interview and then everything blew up. He gets labeled a new up-and-coming star and I get the title of former. Former star. Former lover. Former rom-com movie queen. No one’s taken me seriously for over a year. This series was my chance to try something new. Shake off my old titles and rise again.”

“Fuck’em,” Henrik says, jumping to his feet and reaching for the almost empty wine bottle. He takes a swig before reaching out for my hand. I don’t hesitate. Slapping my hand in his, he pulls me up to standing.

I teeter, but catch myself quickly. Damn, how much wine have we had?

“Fuck’em,” he cries again, spinning me into his open arms. The bottle hits my elbow but the sudden shock of pain fades quickly in the joy of the moment. “Say it with me! Fuck them!”

“Fuck them,” I yell out, feeling empowered. “Fuck them! Fuck all of them!”

“See, you were born to play the role of Adelina, Princess of the Eastern Mystic Realm,”

“Northern,” I correct, tipping my head up so I can look at him.

“That one too.” The grin slowly slips off his face as he gazes down at me. His look is unreadable, but I can feel its power. “Fuck them,” he says softer this time. “You can do, be, whoever the hell you want. Don’t let the fucking paparazzi make you think otherwise. You’re a fucking moonbeam. A princess. And the brightest star I’ve ever seen.”

Oh no.

I like being his friend. I do. But as we continue to stare at one another, something in my chest builds. It expands and courses through every vein, every fiber of my being. Some part of me wants more. I don’t know when I decided that, but it’s true. I want more from him.

“Bryn.” His thumb runs along my jaw, and I drop my gaze to his mouth. “Shit,” he groans. “Tell me this isn’t what you want. Tell me this is crazy.”

I don’t. There are no words I want to say to him. No words I want to hear from him. I just need to feel him. I don’t know where I find the courage, but I lift onto my toes and press my mouth to his.

Just like that, something between us, and whatever he had been using to hold himself back snaps. He doesn’t kiss me back–he consumes me. Pulling me from under his shoulder to pressing tight into his chest. He completely takes over the kiss. Holding my jaw, tilting my head, and touching this tongue to my bottom lip.

I open for him instinctively and follow his lead. My heart pounds, my skin feels tight, and every part of me calls out to him, wanting more. I’ve never experienced this kind of moment, and I feel greedy.

Greedy and desperate for more.

I can taste the wine on his lips, tart and addicting. If I could, I would attempt to climb him, try to wrap my legs around his waist to get closer to the hard length of him pressing into my belly. When he nips my bottom lip and palms my ass, I whimper in need.

“Jesus.” He licks into my mouth, then his lips and teeth join, and his tongue works its way down my throat.

“Oh God. Henrik.” My head falls back when he nips the top of my breast. “Please touch me,” I beg. My nails dig into his scalp. I feel hot all over. Needy like I have never been before. Is the room spinning?

He kisses me again, deep and wet, before pulling away. Breathing heavy, he pushes a strand of my hair out of my face. “Princess, we need to stop.”

He presses one more kiss to my lips, and my lashes flutter open. I try to follow him with my lips but at his full height he’s too tall for me to reach. Confused, I take a step back but fumble.

“Why are you stopping?”

“Because we’ve both had a lot to drink tonight.”

“That’s okay,” I say, suddenly noticing how dry my mouth feels and the full body flush I’m experiencing. “I give consent.”

He doesn’t laugh, but his lips tilt to one side. “Thank you, Princess. But when I take you for the first time it will be stone cold sober. And I’ll rock your body so hard you’ll feel me for days. And you’ll want every second of it. Remember every second of it. Okay?”

So stunned by his words all I can do is nod. He must find my silence cute because he kisses me forehead gently before taking my hand and leading me to the kitchen. He grabs a two bottles of water and turns us towards the bedroom.

“I thought we weren’t sleeping together tonight,” I say stupidly.

“I just got the first taste of your sweet lips tonight Princess. There’s no way I’m not going to sleep with you curled up in my arms tonight. We’re not fucking, but we will sleep together. If you’re cool with it.”

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