Page 16 of Age of Shade

This is slower than our last kiss, but hotter too. Within seconds, her lips have fallen open, her moan muffled by my tongue. There’s something heady and intense behind thetentative exploration, about how much effort it’s costing both of us to hold back.

Adina’s quiet, needy whimper snaps whatever’s left of my self-control.

Growling, I arch my body over hers, tilting her back so far she’s forced to cling to me to avoid falling. My hands find her perfect, round ass, and the noise I make is something akin to a snarl. Is there a single inch of this woman that isn’t tailor made to turn me on? She feels incredible, barely able to do more than hold on as I devour her mouth and grope her tight, college-girl ass.

I bet if I pushed my hand between those beautiful thighs, I’d find her slick, swollen and dripping for my attention.

When I move to do it, though, Adina stiffens.

It’s like someone has thrown a bucket of ice water over me. “Is something wrong?” I pant, drawing back so I can see her face.

She’s still panting. “It’s kind of embarrassing.” Her expression tightens. “It’s just... I’ve never done this before.”

“Done this”meaning have sex with a man she was paid to date? Or—fuck.

My cock, which is hard as a rock and pressed against the bottom of her thigh, twitches. Something is rising inside me, a savage sort of arousal and possessiveness, the urge toclaim. I’m too fucking old to be turned on by her inexperience, or to imagine how it would look to see my thickness sliding into her.

My—admittedly battered—conscience puts a stop to the fantasies quickly. Or tries to.

Before I can even think of how to respond to this, Adina continues, her eyes widening in embarrassment and alarm. “I know you’re not looking for anything serious! I just—oh god. I don’t know why I told you that.” Her cheeks are practically glowing, they’re so pink. If I weren’t so torn up inside, I’d be even more taken with her.

She’s so fucking cute.

I clear my throat. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have—” I look down at our current position, bodies entwined atop the chair, my erection still pressing into her ass.

Adina’s eyes go wide. “I sat on your lap! I kind of knew what I was getting into and I was fully on board for all of it. I liked it. I guess I just need…” She trails off, looking mortified.

“What do you need?” I lower my head to kiss her shoulder, still reeling with this information that is somehow painful and intoxicating at once. She’s a virgin. How could I possibly ask her to give that up for a single night in a hotel room with a man she doesn’t love?

A man who’s been lying to her all night.

Despite the wild, possessive instincts Adina has so unexpectedly brought out in me, I also know I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I took more than this. It’s so difficult to pull away from her. Just as touching her came as easy as breathing, my entire body tightens in protest of my putting distance between us.

“I’m sorry.” I barely recognize my own voice, it’s so rough. “You deserve so much more than one night.”

Adina is frozen in my lap, but at my words, she gets unsteadily to her feet.

“I should go,” she whispers, keeping her eyes on the floor as she moves around the table to grab her coat and bag. “Thank you for everything. It’s been so nice getting to know you.” Every word is painfully formal, and the warm familiarity, which so recently existed between us, is gone. Despite her measured tone, though, she has to try at least three times to get her arm through the sleeve of her coat.

She’s just as rattled by this as I am.

I stand too, gazing at her profile as cold dread seeps through me. Does she think I don’t want her?

“Do you want…” I cough, scrambling to read the situation correctly. “Would youliketo stay?”

Adina shakes her head immediately, fumbling with her coat. “No! I mean, this was fun. Oh gosh, I’m being super weird.” Pausing, she lets out a long breath before finally turning to face me. “I’m sorry. You’re totally right. Most people don’t have a one-night stand for their first time. It’sa lot, I totally get it. I should wait for someone who wants… all that.”

My stomach churns because I do wantall that,and the thought of some faceless stranger putting his hands on Adina is abhorrent to me. I have no right to be this affected, but I am.

I need to let her go, but I don’t want to leave it like this.

She’s turning to the door when I appear behind her, catching her elbow in my hand. “Adina.” I search the adorable, surprised look on her face, and it feels like something in my chest is tugging me right in her direction. I swallow, trying to ignore it. “For the record, I do want you to stay. More than anything. I just… I wouldn’t want you to regret this.”

Me.I don’t want her to regretme.

Adina’s lips curve into a gentle, sad smile. It tugs at my fucking heart. Drawing forward, she places her hand on my chest, directly over my heart. Its rhythm stalls when she kisses my cheek, lingering just long enough for me to breathe in the scent of her hair for the first time.

She smells like honey and wildflowers.

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