Page 39 of Gilded Kisses

Warrior blood pumps in my veins and for a second, I channel the goddess Athena. “You know I am going to be the new undertaker, right? I’ll have no less than fifty blood-thirsty runners under my command.” I can come back from telling a few lies, but I can’t if I fall back into the black hole those three put me in. Once I can survive, twice does things to a woman’s brain. But letting those three men get their hands on me a third timewill end my life. And I know for damn sure none of us will resist temptation for long.

Self-preservation has me desperate to get this bird back in the air.

Mouths fall open, and hands shake with fear. “We’re sorry?—”

“Stop harassing the poor men. They only did their job.”

Fists balled, I whirl around and come to a full stop when golden eyes pierce my blue ones. I swing. Strong fingers curl around my fist and suddenly the anger dissolves. And then arms come around me.

I can read his intentions like a book.

“Viper, let go. I can’t. I just…” But the heat of his skin on mine is too irresistible.

Hope and love shine in the swirling molten gold of his gaze. And hand to God, my godfather shatters all those hard-to-build walls around my heart in one breath.

A hard swallow sticks in my throat. I want to throw myself in his arms and just be there for all of time. I don’t care what the world thinks.

I lower my fist to my side and pull from his arms. Surprisingly, he lets me. “I didn’t mean for this to happen. If nothing else, you have to know I did not wish to come here.” I cross my arms over my chest and put distance between us. He follows.

“What were my last words to you?” Corners of perfect lips curl in arrogance. He knows what he said, and he knows they were nothing but empty syllables.

I raise my eyes off his chest where they settled a second ago to help cut the surge of energy rolling through me.

“Never look for you, were your last words to me, Viper. I haven’t forgotten.” His pick of memories to shove into my face has my blood turning to ice. He’s right. I do need to remember. Shun me once, shame on you. Twice is my fault. Three times, please someone pull the damn trigger already.

“This wasn’t my idea. Trust me.”

I might not put him on his ass the way he deserves, but that doesn’t mean I have to stick around and let my emotions get the better of me.

“Now here are some last ones for you. Get lost.” I wiggle my fingers between us like they will magically make him reverse course and leave the plane.

Amber eyes turn to liquefied gold.

“Aster.”

Damn, that voice.

Shivers scale over my body and my name pours between us like warm honey and makes me feel naked.

For several frenzied heartbeats, we take each other in.

One heartbeat.

Two.

If I don’t move by the third one, I’ll jump him where we stand and then those cranky pilots will get a free sex show on the house.

I brush by Viper and head for the stairs. My cousin Belle has a friend here. I can always call her and get some help. My hand falls over my pocket.

Oh, thank God.

Worst-case scenario, I have my credit card. At least I didn’t lose that in the shuffle back in Chicago. A win for pockets with zippers. I’ll take out cash at an ATM and then just turn into smoke. Change my hair, find a new city where my father can never find me. Just start over. I should have done this years ago. Years of fucking brain washing me into thinking I had to be the obedient little daughter really worked a number on me.

If it were that easy you would have already done it,hisses a nagging voice in my head. One day, I’m going to find an off switch for that damn thing.

Unforgiving hands lift me into the air and I am slung over a broad shoulder, all my racing thoughts left behind like bad ideas.

Tears came easily to my younger self. Now I just get mad.

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