Page 45 of Beyond the Badge: Nox

“Aaliyah…” He curled his fingers into his palms to avoid reaching for her.

“Hmm?”

“I can’t do this.”

“You already did.”

“I can’t do this,” he insisted again.

“Then don’t. The exit’s right there. However, it sounds like you’re trying to convince yourself more than me.”

She was right.

He swallowed in an attempt to loosen his tight throat. “You’re in the way.”

She took a step back, giving him enough space to get around her. “We can leave. I’m done here.”

For fuck’s sake.“I’m not.”

He reached for her and pulled her into him, digging his fingers into her hips to pin her against him.

“Nox—”

He smothered whatever she was about to say next when he slammed his mouth against hers. Those lost words became a moan, and she wrapped her arms around his back, embracing him tightly.

Christ, he didn’t realize how much he missed holding someone and getting held in return.

By an adult.

He appreciated and accepted every hug Valee Girl gave him, but it wasn’t the same. The hugs between a four-year-old he considered his niece and a mature woman he was attracted to was definitely nothing alike.

With Aaliyah’s breasts smashed against his chest and their lips locked together, their tongues played with each other.

She looked delicious, smelled delicious and tasted delicious, too.

She could quickly become an addiction.

An addiction he needed to avoid.

Fuck, he wanted this woman, but his head and his heart continued to war with each other. His head said,“Go for it. It’s time to move on.”His heart…

Ached.

It also told his brain he should feel guilty for finding pleasure in touching and kissing Aaliyah. For wanting more. For wanting her in all the ways two adults wanted each other.

Was this a turning point for him, or strictly a stumble?

Would his guilt compound later when he was alone? When he thought back on these kisses?

He could end this mistake right here and now.

He turned his head to break their kiss. But before he could put space between them, he couldn’t stop himself from turning back and taking her mouth one more time.

Fuck.Just what he was afraid of… shewasaddicting.

It was only a kiss.

It should mean nothing.

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