Page 14 of Blazing Hearts

“Oh, I’m talking about the kind that makes your heart race,” Kara said with a sly grin. “The kind that gets your blood pumping and makes you want to take things a little… hotter.”

Mallory’s cheeks flushed, just a hint of pink, but it was enough to make Kara’s pulse spike. “Well,” Mallory said, her voice turning quieter, almost teasing, “I think you’d be surprised what I can handle.”

Kara leaned even closer, her lips brushing Mallory’s ear as she whispered, “I’d like to find out.”

Without thinking, Kara reached out, her fingers lightly grazing Mallory’s arm, the touch sending a jolt of electricity through her. Mallory’s gaze flickered to Kara’s hand, then back to her eyes, and for the briefest moment, they both just stared at each other, as if trying to gauge the other’s next move.

Then Mallory did something unexpected. She leaned in, her breath warm against Kara’s skin as she whispered, “Are you always this bold, or is it just me?”

The question hung in the air, teasing and raw. Kara’s heart pounded in her chest as she slowly, almost reverently, reached out to touch Mallory’s jaw, gently guiding her face toward hers. Mallory’s lips parted slightly, and without any more hesitation, Kara closed the distance between them.

Their lips met in a kiss that started slow, tentative, but quickly deepened. It was like a dam breaking—a rush of heat, a flood of emotions both of them had been trying to suppress. Kara’s hands slid to Mallory’s neck, pulling her closer, and Mallory responded by threading her fingers into Kara’s hair, tugging her in even more.

The kiss was everything they had been avoiding, every longing they had been keeping in check, finally unleashed. Kara could feel Mallory’s pulse quicken against her, the heat of her skin matching her own. There was no more pretense, no more games. It was just the two of them and the hunger that neither of them had been able to ignore any longer.

For a moment, the world outside their little bubble ceased to exist. There was nothing but the sound of their breathing, the soft scrape of lips, the heat building between them. When they finally pulled away, it was slow, deliberate, their foreheads resting against each other as they caught their breath.

Mallory’s eyes were wide, her lips parted slightly as she searched Kara’s face. “I didn’t think you’d be the type to wait for a second date,” she said softly, a breathless laugh escaping her.

Kara grinned, her own heart racing. “Guess I’m full of surprises.”

Mallory smiled, but it was different now—more open, more vulnerable. The walls she’d carefully built around herself were starting to crack, and Kara felt a rush of excitement at the thought of what might come next. “I like surprises.”

* * *

The drive to Mallory’s apartment was a blur—Kara’s mind raced with thoughts of what was to come, the excitement, the anticipation. They exchanged heated glances and brief touches, but there were no words. They didn’t need them.

Once they arrived, it was as if the floodgates opened. They barely made it to the bedroom before the kiss reignited, hotter and more desperate than before.

Kara remembered the way to the bedroom, she needed no encouragement and lifted Mallory up and over her shoulder, laughing as Mallory squealed and let out a surprised giggle.

“How are you so strong?”

“Lots of time at the gym. It’s where I get my best thinking done,” she said as she dropped Mallory down.

“Well, don’t get used to manhandling me.”

“I won’t lay any hands on you if you’d rather,” Kara teased.

“Don’t be stupid. Come here.”

“That’s what I thought.” Kara grinned as she stepped into Mallory’s embrace, ducking down to steal a kiss, capturing her lower lip between her teeth. She swept Mallory’s long red hair over her shoulder and out of the way as she began unfastening the buttons of Mallory’s dark green shirt dress, there were far too many for Kara’s liking, but damn, Mallory had looked good in it.

“See I made it easy for you,” Kara joked as Mallory pulled her sweatshirt over her head, and rolled her eyes in Kara’s direction.

“I can wear a onesie next time to make it easy for you to take off, if you’d prefer?”

“I think you’d look fire in anything to be fair,” Kara said as she teased the final buttons open and peeled the shirt dress off Mallory’s shoulders revealing her black lace lingerie.

Oh, fuck.

She looked so good, Kara felt her heart lurch and an intense bolt of desire shoot between her legs.

“And I do seem to remember you promised me a taste the next time we were together.”

“I remember no such promise,” Mallory said, her eyes twinkling with desire. “I just didn’t say no.”

“And what about tonight? Are you on the menu?” Kara looked over her body hungrily.

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