Page 69 of Reckless
And maybe that is what this kiss is.
Repentance.
CHAPTER 26Kai
She tastes like a piece of the heaven I won’t be going to.
Kissing her is relief.
It’s a delicate sort of demand.
She pulls away, panting words between each kiss. “I hate you.”
“I know,” I murmur into her mouth.
Her palms push at my chest, pulling her lips away from mine to whisper again, “I hate you.”
I run my hand slowly up her side. “Prove it to me, Gray,” I murmur against her ear. “Hate me enough to use me.”
I hear her breath catch, feel her heart racing against my chest.
I look away, ready to pull back and—
A hand finds my face, turning it back toward her to press my lips against hers.
Her mouth is crushed against mine, and it’s her I’ll breathe in for the last time.
My hands are cupping her face, fingers twining in her wet hair.
I kiss her frantically, memorizing the feel of her lips against mine.
It feels like finality, this kiss. This moment.
I kiss her harder at the thought, willingly breathing her in until the very end.
Her arms slide from my wrists to wrap around my neck. She’s clinging to me as though I’m an anchor she’s willing to sink with. I’m drowning with her, in her.
It’s only when the water reaches her lips that she pulls away. “Kai,” she whispers, “I never learned how to swim.”
“You’re okay,” I murmur, pushing tangled hair from her face. “I’ve got you.”
I wrap my arms around her waist, holding her against me. It’s only a matter of time now. The water is at my neck and rising rapidly. It’s not long before I’m treading water, trying to keep the both of us afloat.
“Wrap your legs around me,” I order softly, staying calm for her sake. I feel her nod before her legs are hugging my waist, freeing my hands to help keep our heads above the water.
My head is nearing the ceiling trapping us down here. I focus on the feel of her hands around my neck, of her fingers fidgeting with my hair. “Are you scared?” she whispers, her lips close to my ear.
“I’m brave enough to admit that I’m terrified,” I say quietly. It’s a struggle to hold the both of us, though I won’t need to do it for much longer.
I only wish I could see her face, could count the freckles splattering her nose one last time. I wish I could drown in those ocean eyes before the water gets the chance.
“Do you…,” she starts. I feel her arms leave my neck. “Do you feel that?”
I try to keep my voice steady despite struggling to keep my head above the surface. “Feel what?”
“The air…” Her hands are running across the crumbling stone above us. “There is air coming from up here.”
Her fingers sound frantic. I hear the sound of scraping nails and muttered curses before I’m blinking at a thin beam of light streaming through the ceiling. “Kai.” She’s breathless. “It’s a grate. It’s covered, but it’s there.”
