Page 67 of Guarded By the Phantom

I tried to pull back to ask if he was okay, but his grip tightened on me, and then, his tongue was in my mouth, pressing to mine. It was hot and tasted like him, and I moaned in pleasure, grabbing the back of his bony head to keep him there.

Taste after taste, lick after lick, we made it work. I nibbled on his tongue and on his outer teeth, then pressed deeper until our tongues wound together, his so much longer and thicker than mine. But itworked.We kissed, and I didn’t care what or who he was, just that it washim.

“Doll,” he breathed reverently, pulling back for just a second before he dove for my mouth again like he couldn’t get enough.

I shook all over, my hands sliding feverishly over his head and down his nape. His were all over me, grabbing my ass, caressing my hair, stroking my back.

He moaned, unabashed and needy. Tingles broke out all along my spine, and I kissed him harder, his masculine sounds of need making me ache with lust. I wanted to climb him, get him out of his clothes, and get him inside me. I’d never felt such a desperate need for anyone before.

“You’re so good,” he murmured, tearing his mouth away from mine.

He nuzzled a path down my jaw and neck with hot little licks that made me shiver. I moaned in response, and he moaned back, grabbing my ass in both hands and hauling me up until I straddled him.

He kissed me again, his tongue sliding deep in my mouth, and gripped my ass until my cheeks spread. I bucked against him, seeking friction, and he pressed me closer, returning to my mouth, his breath hot on my wet lips.

Something beeped. Phantom stilled, breathing hard, then shook his head like a dog.

“Someone just came in through the gate,” he said, his voice gritty. “I’m gonna let you go now, okay? And I’ll see you later. Yeah?”

I nodded, and he nodded back, then pressed his face to my hair and inhaled.

“Yeah. Okay. Have to let you go.”

I kissed his cheek when he let me down to my feet, and he shivered, his hands hanging loosely at his sides as he stared at me.

“See you later, handsome,” I whispered with a smile, then turned to run to my room.

I was pretty sure my mother was back. I didn’t shower, but I put on clothes and a dash of makeup to give her no more reasons than necessary to be furious with me. She would be, anyway, but I was ready to face her.

With that happiness flowing through my veins after being with Phantom, I felt invincible. Well, almost. The idea of rebelling against my mother still terrified me, but I was as ready as I’d ever be. This was the right moment, I knew. I’d just done something outrageous, something forbidden, that I had wanted with all my being.

It was a victory over my conditioning, and it gave me the self-confidence I needed to break free.

I was about to seek my mother out when she knocked on my door and let herself in without waiting for permission.

“You’re different,” she said accusingly without greeting me first.

She wore a cream pantsuit and gold jewelry, her makeup impeccable yet unable to hide the tired draw to her mouth. I realized with a start my mother looked thinner than normal, her hands clenched into fists at her sides seemingly bony.

I wondered if it was my fault, and then shut that thought down. Yet, my heart hammered sickly as slimy fear coiled in my gut. She still had power over me.

You don’t have to do this anymore,I told myself in a bid for control.You don’t have to let her take over.

“Yes, I am,” I said when I was sure my voice wouldn’t wobble. “I’ve done a lot of thinking lately.”

“Evidently,” she said with an angry huff. “Sit down. We need to have a talk.”

I twitched with an instinct to obey but stopped myself before moving. “I’ll stand. But of course, we can talk.”

She shot me an angry look and shook her head. I put my hands behind my back, because I had an urge to wring them in front of me, and I didn’t want to appear weak.

“Barbara, you have to stop this,” she said. “This is it. This is the moment we’ve both worked so hard for, and it’s the time to do your best. You can have your little rebellion after we get through the wedding. I won’t stop you then.”

My lip curled. “Sure. I’ll have the Landizzas to stop me, no? And you’ll wash your hands off me and be happy I’m gone. Well, Mother, I won’t marry anyone, but you will get rid of me. I’m moving out.”

She stared at me like I was insane and then laughed cruelly, like she couldn’t believe the drivel that came out of my mouth. I cringed, her mockery making me want to shrink, but I breathed through it and stood tall.

“And how will you afford to live on your own?” my mother asked when she was done laughing. “You don’t have a job, and besides, you’re too soft and naive. You won’t make it in the real world.”

---