Page 34 of Spades

I lose my nerve.

“I’d invite you in for that drink, but I’m worried I’d just pass out if I allowed another drop of booze into my system.”

He narrows his eyes, looking down slightly. “Of course, Alissa.”

“But I had a wonderful time tonight, Maddox.”

His eyes brighten. “I did too. I’d love to take you back to the club. Now that you know what it’s like, you’ll be able to enjoy it more. Live in it, soak it all up.”

“I’d love that.”

“Wonderful.” He looks into my eyes. “Well… Good night, Alissa.”

“Good night,” I say, keeping my gaze fixed to his.

He crinkles his eyes playfully, keeping our shared stare unbroken. “Don’t let the bedbugs bite.”

“I won’t,” I chuckle, but then I gather my courage and wrap my arms around him. “No promises for me, though.”

His eyes erupt into dark pools of fire again, the same fire I saw in them when he finished off my drink. “I hope not.”

He finally leans in and touches his lips to mine.

The kiss is gentle at first, almost chaste. We stand there, allowing our mouths to overlap with one another. His lips are softer than I imagined, like two puffy clouds.

But from clouds, lightning forms.

And within a few seconds, he’s probing the seam of my lips with his tongue.

I open instantly, sliding my tongue against his. I tighten my hold around his waist as he wraps his own arms around me, digging his fingernails through my coat and into my flesh.

“Alissa,” he moans into my mouth.

The deep timbre of his voice vibrates into me, reaching my heart.

I catch on fire. All lips, teeth, and tongues. He tastes of the elderflower liqueur, of leather and musk. And of something solely unique. God, this kiss. I move my arms away from his waist up to his head, tangling my fingers in his soft hair.

He breaks the kiss and heads to my neck. Jolts of pleasure spike through me, sending sparks that ricochet everywhere and land between my legs.

He’s sucking at my neck but never stays in one place too long—thank God, I don’t need to arrive to work tomorrow with a neck full of hickeys. He finally lands at my ear, nibbling first at my lobe and then sinking his tongue inside.

“Maddox!” I cry out. My body gives way and I fall backward.

His strong hands catch me. “I love kissing you, Alissa,” he whispers, his breath tickling my ear.

His words make me melt. I want to return the sentiment, but the words don’t come. My entire body is one huge wave of pleasure.

He cups my breast. Somehow he got my coat open.

Oh, God…

I’m wearing a bra, but he finds my nipple through the layers of fabric and pinches my nipple. A current rips through me, and I let out a soft sigh.

I want to touch him, feel him, crawl inside his perfection.

He’s back at my neck, licking and kissing up and down, up and down. Trails of warm kisses, hot kisses.

When he stops and meets my gaze…

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