Page 49 of Shadow

It was really perfect. Knowing this about him and me made me that much more eager to have these moments.

It felt real, and I liked that.

SHADOW

Iexhaled and stared into Sirena’s colorful eyes.

I had no clue what to do with my hands. Honestly, I was grateful she’d taken the initiative and helped me out. The issue wasn’t just my nervousness, although that was a factor. The problem was that I didn’t know what was allowed and what wasn’t. I was sure Church had laid out rules for her, and the last thing I wanted was to get my guts torn out again just because I’d done the wrong thing.

But now what?

I swallowed hard as I stared into her eyes.

“I don’t know what to do,” I admitted softly. “I like having you on my lap, though.”

Her eyes lit up a little at my words, relaxing me further.

Nervously, I let my hands trail to her bare thighs, where I gently rubbed them up and down, my heart pounding a thundering rhythm as she shifted closer on my lap.

Fuck, how long had I dreamed of touching her?

Easy.

Since the moment I first saw her in the office all those months ago.

I closed my eyes as I continued to feel her silky skin beneath my palms. My breath was shaky, but fuck, I wanted this like I wanted my next breath. Like I wantedher.

I wanted to ask her if I could touch more of her, but I decided against it. I was sure the Watchers never asked for permission. They took what they wanted. Church said I wasn’t good enough to join them.

He didn’t know shit about me.

Fuck it. I was going to shoot my shot.

I opened my eyes to find her still watching me. Cautiously, I allowed my hands to move beneath her short skirt. I licked my lips as I tried to steady my breathing so I didn’t look like a complete fucking twerp.

I’d touched girls before. I’d kissed them. They’d touched me.

But this? With someone my heart pounded for? It was different.

My fingers met the cleft of her perfect ass. Breathing out, I gripped her tightly and tugged her closer to me.

She let out a gasp at my boldness, blinking her big, colorful eyes at me.

I pulled a hand out from under her skirt and cradled her face.

“Can I kiss you?” I whispered.

Her brows crinkled, and the sparkle in her eyes dulled.

Looked like I found the line Church had drawn. I accepted that. She wasn’t my girl. In fact, this whole evening might get me killed. I could imagine the look on Church and Stitches’s faces if they knew their girl was on my lap and I was gripping her pert little asscheek.

Ashes might be a little more forgiving, but I knew what they’d done to Sin, so I was sure he’d still beat my ass along with the other two. Sin would probably grant me grace because he’d been in my position before.

At least, I hoped he’d give me a little grace.

“I won’t tell,” I murmured. I replayed her kiss from the cemetery over and over in my damn head every day since.

“Bryce…” her voice was a sweet, delicate whisper.

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