Page 22 of Sweet Heat

Everything around us stops, and a sense of rightness descends.

It’s time to stop fighting my instincts and claim the perfection right in front of me.

Chapter Twelve

Cinnamon. Sugar. Just a hint of caramel.

The delicious flavors combine on my tongue, and I can’t help the wanton moan that comes from me as I swoop my tongue into his mouth, chasing the sweetness just beyond my reach. His hands cup my face, changing the angle of our kiss until I can’t think. Can’t breathe.

In this world, there’s only him. Miller. Bright. Vibrant. Everything.

But a moment later, the taste sours in my mouth when Miller abruptly ends the kiss and backs up. His fingers slide down my face, and ever so slowly, I open my eyes and peekup at him.

His beautiful face twists like it used to whenever I entered a room—disgust written in every line. Breathing becomes more difficult when my chest constricts at the rejection.

My first kiss—and all I see is bitter regret.

Blinking rapidly, I push back the silly tears already forming in my eyes. I swallow hard around the lump in my throat and try to come up with a pithy comment to break the tension.

“Well, I guess that’s one way to end a panic attack,” I say with bravado, even though my insides are quaking. Shifting my legs, I try to hop down from the hood of the car in order to get away from the pull of his body. But my movements meet with a rumble of disapproval from deep within his chest. Miller’s hands clamp down hard on my hips, stilling my flight, and his nose presses hard against my neck.

Then he skates his way upward, pressing his cheek against mine like an Alpha staking his claim. Though I can’t smell,he’s scent marking me.

Butterflies flap with silent wings in my stomach.

The heat from earlier returns, flaring under my skin and making me want to throw my arms around Miller, cling to him like a barnacle, and never, ever let go.

Holy crap, get it together.

I’m thankful for the de-scenting lotion I applied liberally this morning, along with the thick-as-hell scent-canceling panties I wore today. Hopefully, it’s enough to hide my perfume. Although I’ve never scented myself, the amount of slick seeping from my core has me worried, so I move to pull away again.

With a pained moan, Miller steps back but doesn’t let go, using his grasp on my hips to help guide me down. My kneesare weak, threatening to give out as my feet reach the pavement below.

“Jeez,” Miller says with a frown. “That driving lesson took it out of you, huh?”

He lifts me as though I weigh nothing, and I’m instantly back in panic mode.

“Miller. I can walk! Put me down!” I cry, embarrassed he’ll know how heavy I am.

“Nope.”

“Put me down. You’ll hurt yourself.”

“How? You’re as light as a feather, and I’m very steady on my feet.” I snort at his comment but shut my mouth since he’s already lowering me into the passenger seat. He snags the seatbelt and quickly buckles me in. The press of his body against mine leaves me speechless—all thoughts and protests flying right out of my brain as it turns to mush.

The click of the belt makes me jump, but Miller is already closing the door and walking to the driver’s side, completely unaffected.

Was that a pity kiss? Oh, God…

Mortification sinks like a rock in my gut. Was he acting as an Alpha trying to calm a hysterical omega?

Miller climbs in, then rests his head against the supple leather of the seat, closing his eyes and pressing his fingers to his temples. The regret on his face stills my heart, and my inner omega just wants to soothe all his pain away. But unfortunately, I caused it.

How could he kiss the girl who killed his parents?

My fingers twitch. I consider getting back out of the car and calling a rideshare to come pick me up, but it seems impossiblymelodramatic, and I don’t want to make this worse than it already is. So, I do the only thing I can. I lie.

“Do you think you could drop me off at the university? I have an exam in a little bit, and I would love some extra time to study.” Pride fills me at how even my voice is. How unaffected I sound. Like this wasn’t my first kiss and heartbreak all wrapped into one.

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