Page 34 of Top Secret Vampire

“Most are kind. They’re telling me they knew something was wrong, that this wasn’t like me at all.”

“And the others?”

“Have left one-star reviews on all my books and are swearing I made a mistake and I’m trying to get out of it. I guess a few authors have been known to fall off the verbal cliff, then announce they were hacked to make them look better after they come to their senses.”

“Keep being who you are, and they’ll realize they’re mistaken.”

She gave me a sad smile. “Thanks. I’m glad you’re here with me right now. You’re making me feel secure, but it’s more than that.”

I couldn’t resist stroking a strand of her hair off her face, my fingers lingering on her cheek. Such soft skin. “In what way?”

“It’s you, Wolf. I feel better becauseyou’rehere with me.”

“Reese.” My voice came out croaky, rougher than I intended, but the throatiness matched the urgency in my heart. “Do you think there can ever be more than—” I hesitated, grappling with my words. “More than just friendship between us?”

She lifted her gaze, a sparkle of surprise mixing with something deeper in her blue eyes. “I hope so.”

Before I could think through my actions, I tugged her onto my lap, her warmth settling into me. It was supposed to be a simple embrace, a way to provide comfort, but when she shifted around to face me, straddle me with her thighs tight around mine, need rushed through me. Her body fit against mine in a way that both thrilled and terrified me.

“Does this mean you hope for more as well, Wolf?” she asked, her breath mingling with the air between us. This was when I realized she felt as unsure about where this might be going as me.

I'd never been a male who concerned himself overmuch about anything. Other than getting staked, I supposed. But the odds of that were slim now that monsters had been accepted into human society. And rogue vampires hadn't gone on rampages since the dark ages. People were more apt to gush about a vampire than run in the opposite direction. Or throw holy water at us. I couldn't remember when that last happened.

But right now, I felt more hope, more vulnerability than I had in my life. This moment meant everything, and I didn't want to mess it up.

“Yes,” I fumbled out, feeling overwhelmed by everything she made me want. The vulnerability was foreign, exciting, and gut-wrenching all at once.

Her hands gripped my shoulders, and I sensed her steadying herself. The world around us faded, the buzz of the day dropping to a distant hum. Only she and I existed.

She leaned in, closing the space, and I was lost. Her lips met mine in a soft, tentative kiss that sent shockwaves through me. The sensation ignited me, filling me with warmth and exhilaration.

I couldn’t think or breathe. Everything else—the threats, any potential villain outside—vanished. All that mattered was thefeel of her pressing herself against me, her taste both sweet and inviting.

Her kiss deepened, and I tightened my hold on her, drawing her closer, as if she was my lifeline.

And perhaps, she was.

Chapter 15

Reese

Wolf's lips moved across mine, exploring and eager. He tasted sweet, like the dark chocolate I adored, mixed with a flavor that was all Wolfram. Shivers rippled through me as his hands slid down my sides, his touch leaving a trail of warmth through the fabric of my shirt.

His tongue traced the seam of my lips, seeking entry, and I parted them, eager to taste more. The sensation of his tongue gliding across mine sent a jolt of bliss through me. He deepened the kiss, his tongue stroking mine in a dance that made my heart race and everything inside me heat. I arched into him, craving this, craving his touch. As if he understood my plea, his hands slid beneath my shirt. He ran his fingers up and down my back, making me ache for him even more.

His touch remained gentle, the calluses on his hands showing me he’d lived life fully. He ran a fingertip along the line of my bra, before moving around to the front. I moaned as he shifted my bra up, his hands cupping my breasts softly, almost reverently.

He groaned, a sound of pure desire. Heat coiled low in my belly, gliding lower. He rolled my nipples, the sensation sendingsparks across my bones. I moaned, pressing into his hands, seeking whatever this man could give me.

His touch was electric, his kiss intoxicating. His heart pounded against my palms, and I stroked his chest, teasing his nipples. His scent, a mixture of fresh air and something uniquely Wolf, wrapped around me, heightening my pleasure. I felt more alive than I ever had before.

I ran my fingers through his thick hair, the soft strands cool on my overheated skin. His kiss deepened, his tongue stroking mine. I could only think of what it would be like to have him stroke other parts of me. I moaned, my body aching with need.

His hands left my breasts, sliding down my sides, his thumbs tracing the curve of my waist. He gripped my hips, pulling me closer, pressing me in a way that left no doubt that he wanted me as much as I did him. His cock jerked upward, hard and eager. When he nudged it between my thighs, heat roared through me.

I pulled away, sucking in deep breaths, trembling with need. His dark, intense gaze met mine, the desire in them clear. I wanted him so much.

Leaning in, I captured his lips in a fierce kiss, my hands exploring his chest and shoulders with the same intensity that he continued to stroke mine. He groaned, his hands gripping my hips tighter, his body arching into mine. I ached with desire.

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