Page 31 of Twisted Paths

So does mine.

My fingertips brush through the soft strands, lingering for a fraction of a second too long. His eyes lock onto mine, and suddenly, the air in the room shifts.

The playful back and forth dissolves into something else. Something heavier.

My heart kicks against my ribs.

I should step back.

I don’t.

Luke doesn’t either.

His eyes darken, flickering over my face, his jaw tight, his breathing just slightly uneven. His hands twitch at his sides, like he’s holding himself still.

I know that look.

I feel it, too.

For a long moment, neither of us moves.

And then we do.

At the exact same time.

His hands find my waist as my fingers curl into his hair again, pulling him closer. His lips meet mine in a kiss that is not hesitant, not uncertain. It is urgent, electric, like we’ve both been waiting for this longer than we’d like to admit.

A quiet sound escapes me, something between a sigh and a gasp. He responds instantly, deepening the kiss, one hand sliding to my lower back, pressing me closer.

Before I can even process it, he lifts me effortlessly, and instinct takes over. My legs wrap around his hips, my arms tightening around his neck.

A quiet gasp escapes me, swallowed instantly by his mouth as he deepens the kiss even further, his grip steady as he carries me through the room.

The world narrows to the heat between us, the press of his body against mine, the slow, controlled strength in the way he moves. I can feel his hard cock press against me, and I almost claw at him to get my hands on it.

I barely register when we reach the living room until the soft cushions of the sofa press against my back, Luke settling over me, his weight deliciously solid.

His lips leave mine, trailing along my jaw, and I tip my head back with a sharp inhale.

This is happening.

And I don’t want it to stop.

Luke’s weight presses me into the sofa, his body solid, warm, utterly in control. His lips move from my jaw down to my neck, slow and deliberate, like he’s taking his time to learn how I react.

And I react far too easily.

My breath hitches as his mouth brushes the sensitive spot just below my ear. His hands roam, strong and steady, skimming the curve of my waist before sliding beneath the hem of my top. His fingers are warm against my skin, exploring, teasing.

I arch into his touch, gripping his shoulders, feeling the way his muscles flex beneath my hands.

His eyes flick up to mine, dark, searching.

A silent question. A moment of pause, giving me the chance to stop this if I want to.

I don’t.

I tug at the back of his shirt in answer, slipping my fingers beneath the fabric, dragging them across his skin. His breath stutters against my neck before he pulls back just enough to yank the shirt over his head.

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