Page 25 of Between the Stacks

Lyra

From one breathto the next, Jonesy’s mouth covered Cole’s in a hedonistic kiss. He growled, literally growled, something I didn’t know men could physically do, but read about in the books I’d coveted. His hand wrapped around the nape of Cole’s neck, holding him in place while he consumed Cole. My heart rate tripled, and the subtle wetness dampened my panties the longer I sat there watching them. When Jonesy bit Cole’s bottom lip, before dipping back in for another taste, I bit back a whine of yearning while clutching the collar of my shirt.

This was dangerous. Too... erotic for my gentle mind and body. They were like two wild beasts fighting for dominance in a battle where size didn’t matter. The give and take between them left me in awe. More so when Cole took my hand, as if needing me to ground himself in the moment. He passed the frantic energy to me, causing me to pant for breath, unable to look away. I thought I’d combust. Disintegrate into a million flecks of ash, carried away on the breeze of their lust.

Or whatever this inferno churning between them was.

Heck, I didn’t even know why I waxed poetic about them, other than I’d seen nothing so esthetically pleasing before. Or experienced this rush of adrenaline and endorphins.

When Jonesy pulled back, he cut his hazel eyes toward me, devouring me with his predatory gaze. “Well, sweetheart?”

Trapped.

They’d trapped me between them. Was this what prey felt like between two aroused animals, each poised to pounce on me, given half a chance? “Well, what?” I challenged, lifting my chin. Hating the quiver in my voice and the way my bottom lip trembled with anticipation.

His chuckle vibrated low in my belly and the sinful way his eyes darkened, like he’d ensnared me in some unseen trap, had me looking for a path of escape. Would he give chase? Did I want him to? What would happen if he caught me? Or they caught me.I blinked slowly. The expanse of his chest blocked out my ability to look at Cole for help, or vice versa. “Tell me no, sweetheart. It’s okay. You won’t hurt my feelings.”

Tell him no? Why? I continued to stare at him, unable to look away. Whether from fear or in expectation of what came next, didn’t matter anymore. He’d lassoed me into his gravitational pull. My lips parted and he groaned.

“You’re too innocent and way too fucking tempting for someone like me.”

“Because you’re o-older?” I stuttered, breathlessly.

“No.” He shook his head. “Being older just adds to the kink.” He wrapped his hand around my throat and tilted my head. I made the mistake of inhaling when he leaned into me, brushing his lips across my cheek. The spice of his cologne enveloped me in an earthy fragrance of oakmoss, rum spice and black pepper. “Say, please.”

“For what?” I swallowed hard, excitement lodged in my throat.

“A kiss,” he replied.

I ran the tip of my tongue over my bottom lip. My heartbeat slowed as the sensual heat of his body blanketed me. If anyone asked me later if I warred with myself. If I made some list of reasons why I shouldn’t give in to Jonesy and why I should’ve run screaming from the house, I’d tell them yes. The fight was difficult. In reality, my heart and body said yes, while my mind couldn’t keep up.

“Yes, please,” I murmured.

“Perfection,” he whispered.

His gaze locked with mine as he ran the pad of his thumb along my bottom lip. The heat and intensity within his stare had me trembling. However, the second his lips touched mine, a keen sob filled my chest, and he took advantage, pushing forward and tangling his tongue with mine. Behind him, Colegroaned and the welling of pleasure low in my gut, spread outward. My clit tingled. My pussy ached. I’d ruined the new panties I wore, for sure.

Every inch of me was a live wire. I pressed my hand to his chest, unsure if I was holding him to me or afraid he’d take too much from me, and I needed to be ready to push him away. Either way, the heat of his body flowed up my arm and settled over my chest. Warmth burst forth and I was drowning on his kisses. I arched to him, trying to find an anchor point.

“Fuck, that’s so damn hot,” Scott muttered from somewhere behind Jonesy. “Why didn’t you tell us you were experimenting in here?”

Jonesy pulled back slowly, and I chased, not willing to break the contact just yet. “Better than my imagination could do you justice, sweetheart. I think we’re going to have fun with you.”

I touched a shaky hand to my lips. I’d been kissed before, but never had my soul rearranged. I’d been too stunned to speak. I didn’t even see who was in the kitchen with us. I didn’t care. My mind was still in the moment with Jonesy’s lips on mine.

“I think you broke her,” Cole murmured.

“He has that effect on people,” Lowe said. “You should’ve handled her with care.”

“I did,” Jonesy said, “she brought out the beast in me.”

If I brought the beast out in him, what did he do to me?

Lyra

“I’m fine,”I whispered, clearing my throat. “Honest.”

I closed my book and laptop before gathering everything up. I wanted to run away and hide in my room until my body calmed down. As it was, I wanted to climb Jonesy like a tree. I was uncomfortable, physically sitting there, because I ached from head to toe, needing relief I couldn’t ask four men for. It was one thing if we had a script in front of us, and another to just blurt out,fuck me. Though I was sure someone would help me out.

---