Page 14 of Forbidden Vows

Her eyes flash. “Do I?”

“What I like, Cleopatra, is you.” The air between us heats ten degrees as I lean closer. “You’re my favorite aphrodisiac, you beautiful girl.”

And my mouth is on hers.

Chapter Four

Cleopatra

No, no, no. I cannot be kissing Blaze right now.

I shouldn’t even be here, alone in his hotel room. Why did I come to confront him, anyway? I knew this was going to happen, didn’t I?

If I were being as honest with myself as I demand my kindergarteners be with me when I ask who overfed the class Beta fish, Trixie, I’d be fessing up that I didn’t only think this would happen…

I was fantasizing it would.

He’s a bad boy, my relative. I shouldn't let him kiss me, but now his lips are one with mine- warm, firm, and desperately wanting more from me. When he kisses me, my knees go weak, and everything under my navel melts into oozy lava. He holds me closer, tighter against him, his hands warm, strong, and protective.

Punching hands.

Hands that rushed to defend my honor. I picture him as a knight, covered in metal and riding high on a horse, sword ready to—oh! There’s his sword, hard and drawn and ready, pressed against me, ready to?—

Iwillstop kissing him. Right now… In one minute… Before he slips his hand up my skirt?—

He moans into my mouth. “Damn, Cleopatra. You kiss like the queen you are.” Okay, I’ll let him kiss me, but I amnothaving sex with him. Not in this hotel room where he’s just had sex with another woman.

I will not degrade myself like that—oh my, his fingers are creeping up my inner thigh, touching me—there—lightly rubbing me over the gusset of my panties, and his tongue swipes against mine. So much need there. He wants me.

He kisses with the confidence of a presidential candidate. He’s damn good with his tongue, and he knows this.

And his fingers, too.

I try to hide a moan, but I can’t. I want to keep my hips from pushing against him, greedy for more, but I don’t. I need to get his hand out from under my dress, but I won’t. I shouldn't be melting into his touch, feeling the heat of his body so close to mine. I can't help it. His kisses are like a drug, intoxicating and addictive. I know I should push him away and remind him of the consequences of our actions.

But at this moment, with one hand tangled in my hair, exploring the messy teacher bun at the nape of my neck and his breath mingling with mine, the other hand pleasuring me over my dampening panties, all logic escapes me.

All I can think about is how my heart races when he's near and how my skin tingles at his slightest touch. And as much as I try to fight it, I know deep down that I want more.

“God, baby, I love the way you taste. Intoxicating.” He pulls back so he can run the tip of his expert tongue over my lips before dipping it back between them as he murmurs, “I need to taste youhere.”

His fingers slip beneath the elastic band around the inner leg of my panties. My weak knees are now jelly as his bare skin touches mine. It feels fantastic, but I’m remembering the gorgeous brunette who just left this room and the sheets I saw, rumpled from their recent lovemaking.

Her perfume still lingers in the air. Expensive and stifling. Adding to that, Keith suddenly takes up residence in my head, saying, ‘He’s a family member. It isn’t right.’ Even Keith, the cheater-face knows this is wrong.

What am I doing?

I pull away.

“This isn’t going to happen.” I smooth my skirt back down, safe in my clothing. Maybe the Amish are onto something with their long dresses. I need more fabric between us. "We can't do this. We shouldn't be doing this." I wish I could be fully covered at the moment. Fabric from wrist to ankle, perhaps even one of those lovely bonnets reminiscent of Little House on the Prairie.

His eyes meet mine, and I can see a flicker of hesitation before it's replaced by determination. "I know you think we shouldn’t, but Cleo…" He pauses, running his fingers gently down my cheek. "I like being with you. You know this about me. You’ve always known it."

“Really, Blaze? I’m sure you say that to all the girls!” I hold back an eyeroll.

I close my eyes, trying to quell the fluttering in my stomach. "We're family," I remind him, hoping to restore some sense to our thoughts.

“I’m not your dad,” he says in that wicked voice of his, dripping with the promise of earth-shattering orgasms. “But tonight, I can be your daddy.”

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