Page 55 of Branded Hearts

His kiss is everything I never knew I needed.

Another groan rumbles from his chest, and it’s intoxicating, sending waves of desire coursing through me.

After a minute that feels like an eternity, he breaks the kiss, and I’m left in shock.

“Holy crap!” I blurt out, my eyes wide. Bradley smirks, then a full-blown smile lights up his face, and he lets out a breathless laugh. His fingers brush gently against my cheek, a tender gesture that sends a thrill through me.

“How was that for a first kiss?” he asks, his tone soft, eyes searching mine.

I’m completely thrown off by his smile. It’s the kind that makes you want to melt, like the emoji that’s partially melting. Yeah, that’s me. My brain is doing somersaults, trying to process the fact that Bradley “Captain Grumps” Mitchell just kissed me.

“I... uh... yeah,” I stammer. “Wow.”

“Was it how you’d imagined?” he asks.

Without hesitation, I reply, “No. It was everything and more.”

He tilts my chin up, and my heart does a little dance. His lips meet mine again, this time softer, lingering, and it feels like he’s pouring every unspoken word into that kiss. My toes curl, and I’m pretty sure I’ve forgotten how to breathe.

“Good. You should get some rest now,” he suggests softly, his thumb brushing my cheek.

“Yeah, you, too. Goodnight, Brad,” I say, feeling a warmth in my chest, my heart fluttering like a butterfly on caffeine.

“Goodnight, Amelia,” he replies, his voice gentle, almost tender. I can’t help but smile as I head quietly back to my room, my mind buzzing with thoughts of him.

Sleep comes peacefully, wrapping me in dreams of what tomorrow might bring. I imagine more stolen kisses, secret smiles, and maybe, just maybe, finding out what it feels like to have a real relationship with someone like Bradley. As I drift off, I smile to myself.

Who knew my first kiss would turn out to be this epic?

17

As we trek along the bush, about two kilometres from our AirBnB, I can’t help but revel in the change of scenery. Liv found the trail on Maps and thought it’d be a great idea to go bushwalking. Thank fuck, the weather today isn’t a scorcher. Although I’m accustomed to being outside most of the time for work, being knee-deep in nature is a refreshing shift. The weather is a pleasant twenty-three degrees, with a slight chill in the air that the warm sun balances perfectly.

My mind drifts back to that day at my place when Amelia guided me through a breathing exercise, focusing on the leaves. It had a surprisingly calming effect, quieting the relentless thoughts that have plagued me for so long. The feelings of being undervalued, of something missing in my life, of not measuring up.

But fuck if Amelia hasn’t eased the load on my chest, even if it’s just a bit.

Last night... Well, last night was intense. That kiss, that simple kiss, was life-changing—mind-altering. It left me with a fucking raging hard-on, leaving me no choice but to blow my load intomy hands, like a pubescent teen, to avoid a dreaded case of blue balls. As we continue along the trail, Amelia walks in front of me, giving me a perfect view of her ass.

Have I mentioned how much I love her curves? Fuck, she’s perfect.

The way her hips sway as she walks, especially in those tight purple tights she’s wearing. Fuck, I sound like a perv.

I should stop.

Yeah, right.Wasn’t saying that last night when I was kissing her, was I? From behind, Imogen’s voice breaks my thoughts.

“How much farther do we have to go?” she gripes.

Harrison pipes up, “I can carry you if you like, sugar.”

“Over my dead body,” she snaps back. He chuckles, and then I hear the unmistakable sound of a slap echo in the air. I can only assume he slapped her ass.

“Don’t fucking touch me,” she throws back.

I can’t help but smile. Harrison really is such an idiot. He gets so much satisfaction from stirring her up. He’s been like this since the moment he met her. Honestly, their constant bickering is becoming a little boring.

As we reach a lookout over the water, Liv calls out, “We can stop here for a breather before heading back down.”

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