Page 52 of Reckless Games

Adam holds me close and chuckles. “It’s okay, Lake.”

He tips my chin up to the windows and a streak shoots up into the night sky before exploding in a beautiful sparkling burst that lights up the darkness. One firework after another paints a picture in the night.

Around us, the crowd begins to shift, gathering at the tall windows to watch the show. But Adam holds me in place in the center of the room. It might as well be the center of the earth. A harp strums softly and glittering gold and silver firecrackers brighten the sky.

“I’m not ready for this,” I admit, knowing the fireworks mean it’s almost midnight.

Midnight.

The thought edges on ironic given it’s the safe word I’ve yet to use, and the universe is about to call it for us.

How do you voluntarily let go of the only person who has ever made you feel complete? Even if it’s what I need to do, and what he wants. Adam brought me here knowing the real world isn’t where we belong together.

“Try not to think about it.” Adam holds me close, but his grip tenses.

And even if his words say one thing, his body tells me a different story. He clings like he’s not prepared to give this up any more than I am.

We stand in the darkness, watching the fireworks in silence, until the last burst of them fades from the sky. And all that’s left is smoke blowing away in the breeze. The memory of something beautiful that can’t last forever.

“One minute.” Someone cheers, and claps ring out in the room.

A countdown I’m not prepared to face as I spin in Adam’s arms.

He cups my jaw in his hand like he’s done a hundred times this past week. “I want to look at you.”

“You do.” I tip up on my toes to bring me closer to his lips. “Youseeme. You’re the only one who has everseenme.”

Adam pulls my face to his. He catches my lips like he catches my heart jumping to my throat. His teeth nip at my lower lip, and it draws out the sharpest inhale. But he doesn’t pull back, he claims it all. He kisses me fully, his tongue tangling with mine. His thumb on my chin tipping me open to him.

He kisses me like nothing else matters, and even if this is the extent of what he can offer, he hands me all of it. A cold man in his dark manor, who came to life just for me. He let me touch him, see him. Understand him.

Ten.

Nine.

The countdown hurts my ears. My heart. Adam’s grip tightens and his lips don’t let me go.

Eight.

Seven.

I wrap my arms around his shoulders like it’s enough.

Six.

Five.

Adam skims his hands from my face, down my sides, and holds me flush to his body. Our kiss, a paused breath as we hold each other and soak in this moment.

Four.

Three.

Time is almost up. I feel it like static in the air, tickling the back of my neck. An ending, when we’ve just begun.

Two.

One.

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