Page 21 of Grave Intentions

“Why not?” I hate how young and petulant I sound. “I told you, I’m legal?—”

“This isn’t about legality, Lena.” He turns in his seat to face me fully. “You’re seventeen. Your hormones are driving you right now, making you think you want this.”

“That’s not true.” I cross my arms over my chest. “I know what I want.”

“Do you?” His blue eyes pin me in place. “Do you understand what it means to be with someone like me? Someone broken?”

I swallow hard. “I’m not afraid of your jagged edges.”

“You should be.” He leans closer, his presence overwhelming in the confined space. “If we cross that line, if I let myself have you, I’ll never let you go. You’ll be mine completely, corrupted by me. There won’t be any going back.”

His words send a shiver down my spine—part fear, part desire.

“I need you to wait,” he continues. “Until you’re eighteen. Give yourself time to really think about what you’re asking for. What you’re willing to give up.”

“And if I still want this when I’m eighteen?”

His eyes darken. “Then nothing will stop me from making you mine.”

The intensity in his voice makes my breath catch. I want to argue, to convince him I’m ready now, but I see the resolve in his expression.

“Fine,” I whisper. “I’ll think about it.”

“Good girl.” He pulls back onto the road, breaking the tension between us. “Now, let’s get you home.”

“One condition,” I say, my heart racing. “Kiss me now.”

Talon’s eyes narrow. “Lena...”

“I want you to be my first kiss.” I twist in the seat to face him fully. “Not David or some other guy. You.”

His jaw clenches the muscle ticking. “That’s not a good idea.”

“Please.” I lean closer, emboldened by the desire I see flickering in his eyes. “I don’t want anyone else to take this from me.”

A low groan escapes him like he’s in physical pain. “You’re making this very difficult.”

“Good.” I reach for his hand. “So, is that a yes?”

His fingers thread through my hair, gripping the back of my head. The touch sends electricity down my spine. His eyes lock onto mine, intense and burning.

“Just one kiss,” he growls.

Then his mouth crashes into mine and it feels like the world stands still. His lips are firm and demanding, claiming me with a possessiveness that makes me gasp as a shock travels straight to my core.

He takes advantage of my parted lips, deepening the kiss. And it feels like my entire body is burning from the inside out as his tongue tangles with mine.

I grip his shirt, pulling him closer as the sensation between my legs heightens. He tastes like mint and something moreaddictive. His hand tightens in my hair, tilting my head to get a better angle.

A whimper escapes me as my core throbs, and he groans in response. The sound vibrates through me, and then he bites my lip hard enough to draw blood before licking it.

“Fuck,” he groans. “Mine. All fucking mine.” His kiss deepens as if he’s trying to imprint himself on me. Mark me as his forever, and I want that. I’ve never been so desperate in my entire life for something. What, I’m not sure. I’m aching deep within.

This is nothing like I imagined a first kiss would be. It’s not sweet, gentle, or tentative. It’s consuming, passionate, almost violent in its intensity. Talon kisses my neck and then sucks hard like he’s trying to mark me, brand me, make sure I’ll never want anyone else’s lips on mine.

And he’s succeeding.

I break away from the kiss, gasping for air. My whole body thrums with an unfamiliar energy, a pulsing need centered between my thighs that makes me squirm in my seat. My lips feel swollen, tingling from the pressure of his kiss.

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