Page 79 of Cold Carnage

"What—?"

But I wasn't in the mood to talk.

So, I kissed her again, if only to shut her up.

Chapter 23

Paige

Ryker’s eyes bore into mine, intense and unreadable. His hand still lingered on my throat, fingers brushing my pulse. The argument had fizzled out, words evaporating into the thick tension between us. My breath hitched as his gaze dropped to my lips, and before I could process what was happening, he closed the distance.

His lips were warm and insistent, capturing mine in a kiss that stole the air from my lungs. I felt a jolt of surprise and something deeper, something that sent heat spiraling through me. I gripped his shoulders, torn between pushing him away and pulling him closer.

He deepened the kiss, his mouth moving against mine with a fervor that left no room for hesitation. The hand on my throat slid to the back of my neck, tangling in my hair as he angled my head to deepen the connection further. It was consuming, this kiss—a wildfire that burned through every rational thought.

I could taste the hint of mint on his breath, feel the press of his body against mine as he closed the gap between us entirely. Every touch, every movement spoke of a need that mirrored myown. My fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt, anchoring myself against the storm he’d unleashed.

When he finally pulled back, we were both breathing hard, eyes locked in a silent battle of wills. His thumb brushed against my cheek, a fleeting moment of tenderness in the wake of our heated exchange.

For a second, everything else faded away—the arguments, the jealousy, the lies we told ourselves about strength and perfection. It was just us, tangled in an unexpected moment that left me questioning everything I thought I knew about him—and myself.

"We shouldn't do this," I whispered, the words barely audible between our ragged breaths.

Ryker said nothing, but the heat in his eyes spoke volumes. I swallowed hard, trying to steady the racing pulse that thudded against his fingertips.

"Ryker, if we get caught?—"

Before I could finish, he captured my lips again, pressing me against the dressing room wall with a force that sent a thrill through my veins. His body pinned mine, the solid weight of him grounding me even as my mind spun.

I let out a little whimper, unable to contain the rush of sensation.

He pulled away, eyes dark and intense. "Don't make any noises and we won't get caught," he murmured, his voice a low growl that sent shivers down my spine.

I swallowed again, my throat dry, and nodded slightly. The rational part of me screamed to stop this madness, but the rest of me was lost in the storm he'd created. When he kissed me again, I didn't resist. Instead, I melted into him, letting the world outside fade away. His hands roamed my back, fingers digging into the fabric of my blouse as he deepened the kiss.

The scent of him filled my senses—something crisp and clean mingled with an undercurrent of raw desire. Each touch ignited sparks beneath my skin, drawing soft gasps from my lips that I struggled to keep quiet. My hands found their way to his hair, tangling in the dark strands as I pulled him closer.

The room seemed to shrink around us, every inch of space consumed by our tangled bodies and the intensity of our connection. Time lost meaning; it was just us and the shared rhythm of our heartbeats. His lips moved with a demanding urgency that left me breathless and wanting more.

As he pressed closer, his mouth left mine to trail along my jawline and down to the sensitive skin of my neck. My head fell back against the wall, giving him better access as he marked a path with his kisses. Every nerve ending screamed with sensation, each touch sending electric jolts through me.

Somewhere in the haze of it all, a part of me recognized the danger—the sheer recklessness of what we were doing—but it only added fuel to the fire burning between us. The thrill of being caught mixed with raw need, creating a heady cocktail that left no room for second thoughts or regrets.

Ryker's fingers worked deftly at the buttons of my shirt, each pop echoing in the silence of the room. His mouth trailed along my jaw, teeth grazing the sensitive skin there. I knew I should stop him, that this was crossing a line we couldn’t uncross, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

I’d wanted this for so long, had imagined it in moments I’d never admit to anyone. The way his hands moved with purpose, the heat of his body against mine—it was everything I’d dreamed and more.

As he finished unbuttoning my shirt, he slipped it off my shoulders, letting it fall to the floor in a soft heap. The cool air brushed against my exposed skin, a stark contrast to the warmth radiating from Ryker’s touch. He dropped his gaze to my chest,and with a deliberate slowness that made my heart race, he peeled off my bra.

The garment joined my shirt on the floor, forgotten in the intensity of the moment. His eyes roamed over me, dark and hungry, before he leaned in again. Every part of me screamed for more—more of his touch, more of this forbidden thrill.

He brushed his lips against mine once more before trailing them down to the newly exposed skin. My breath hitched as his mouth moved lower, leaving a trail of fire in its wake. Each kiss, each nip sent jolts through me, igniting a need I could no longer deny.

I pressed closer to him, craving the contact as his hands continued their exploration. The sensation of his fingers against my bare skin was electric, every touch heightening the connection between us. I clung to him, letting go of any reservations and giving in to the desire that had been building for so long.

His touch moved with deliberate slowness, fingers brushing over my nipples. The sensation sent a jolt of electricity through me, and I gasped, feeling them harden under his caress.

His eyes locked onto mine, dark and intense, as he watched my reaction. There was something in his gaze that made me feel exposed and vulnerable, but in the most exhilarating way. My nipples marbled under his touch, the contrast between the cool air and the heat of his fingers making my skin tingle.

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