Page 28 of Both Sides Now

“I didn’t notice them. Too focused on the tits.”

Keegan rakes his eyes down my frame, and my skin heats from the bold desire burning in their depths. Then he takes the wine from my hand and helps himself to a sip. “I like yours better.”

The words hang between us, the air sparking with restrained passion, any cold long forgotten by his statement.

My breath catches as my lungs struggle to find air, my mouth searching for a quick-witted retort. “Keegan?—”

He releases a frustrated groan, scrubbing his face with hishand. “I shouldn’t have said that. I’m sorry, Calli. That was crass.”

I want to meet his gaze. That unrelenting, intoxicating gaze. But I know if I do, I’ll be lost to the moment, so I opt to focus on the ground. A safe place, devoid of emotion. “I can handle crass. The bigger question is, did you mean it?”

He steps closer, slipping a finger under my chin and forcing me to look at him. “Absolutely.”

“My breasts can’t double as flotation devices.” I’m shocked by my brazen comments. Maybe being cooped up in the house for too long has knocked loose my last bits of sense.

He edges closer still, a small gasp escaping my lips as my back hits the wall. “I still like yours better. I like everything about you better.”

“I like everything about you, too.” The words leave my mouth before I can fathom the ramifications of such a statement.

It’s just like last week, except without my dog meddling. This time, there’s nothing but the darkness and the fire building between us.

He slips one hand around my waist, his other sliding along my jaw to cup my head. Then he kisses me. No warning, no seeking permission.

He claims my mouth, his tongue pushing past my lips in complete possession. The blood pounds in my ears as I cling to him, spurring him further.

Keegan tangles his fingers in my hair, daring me to pull away. Break the moment.

Not a chance in hell, Doc.

Instead, I scratch my nails down his chest, daring to skate my palm along his erection. He bucks against my hand as the energy heightens.

With an almost violent groan, he presses his body against me, trapping me in the embrace. One hand holds my jaw as histongue owns every centimeter of my mouth. His other hand? Dips under my skirt, his dexterous fingers pushing aside my g-string before sliding inside me.

Once again, he’s not asking. He’s taking.

This is Keegan laying his claim. And I’m letting him. I’m desperate for more as I grind against his palm, the small moans that escape my throat swallowed by his kiss.

He pushes a second finger inside me, and I clench around him, my fingers curling in his belt loops, fumbling at his buckle. The fire inside me is growing by the second, and I need him to quench it. The ache is growing unbearable.

I need him.

I need himnow.

Without warning, Keegan breaks off the kiss, his eyes wild, his breath coming in short pants. “I shouldn’t have done that. It was totally unprofessional. I don’t know what came over me. I’m so sorry. I—I have to go.”

“Keegan, please?—”

But my words don’t reach him as he spins on his heel, storming toward the door.

He pauses before opening it, his entire body rigid. “I’m so sorry, Calli.”

Then he’s gone.

One apology would have sufficed. He didn’t need to keep reiterating all the ways our kiss was wrong. Especially when it felt so right.

I lean against the wall, willing back the tears, my internal monologue chiding me for behaving like a wanton hussy.

So much for manners or class, Callista.

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