Page 62 of Faking the Shot
She could’ve gotten seriously injured. That thought makes my jaw clench, the protective instincts roaring to the surface like a goddamn freight train.
“Are you okay?” I ask, my voice still rough from adrenaline, my hand brushing a stray strand of hair from her flour-dusted face.
She blinks up at me, her lips curving into a sheepish smile. “I’m fine, Kaden. Really.”
I exhale hard, shaking my head. “Fine? You were about to grab a fucking flame, Valentina.”
“It wasn’t that bad,” she murmurs, but her voice is softer now, her bravado slipping under my steady gaze.
“Don’t do that,” I say, my tone brasher than I intend. “Don’t act like it wasn’t a big deal. You could’ve gotten hurt. You scared the shit out of me.”
She stares at me, her big eyes uncertain, her lips parting as if she’s about to say something—but no words come out. Her silence only fuels the fire burning in my chest. I can’t stand the thought of her brushing this off, pretending she’s invincible when she isn’t. To me, she’s fragile in ways she probably doesn’t even realize.
Before I can think better of it, I lean down and kiss her again.
It’s not soft. It’s not tentative. This kiss is full of everything I’m feeling—the frustration, the fear, the overwhelming need to protect her from everything, including herself. My lips press against hers, demanding, insistent, but when she responds—when her hands come up to grip my arms and she tilts her head to deepen the kiss—I feel something shift.
It’s not just about protecting her. It’s about wanting her. Craving her.
I pull back just enough to catch my breath, but I can’t stop touching her. My hands slide down to the hem of the oversized shirt she’s wearing—my shirt.
“Arms up,” I order, my voice low and thick with desire.
Her eyes widen, her breath catching, but she doesn’t protest. She lifts her arms, and I tug the shirt up and over her head.
Fuck. She’s bare. Completely bare. Her perky breasts are right there, the soft, smooth skin flushed and begging for my mouth. I swear they’re perfect, like they were made for me to touch, to taste.
“Fuck, Val,” I whisper, my gaze roaming over her. “You’re so fucking beautiful.”
I don’t wait for her response—I can’t. I dip my head, capturing one of her nipples in my mouth. She gasps, the sound so goddamn sweet it makes my cock throb. My hand cups her other breast, kneading it gently as my tongue swirls over her hardened peak.
Her moan is soft at first, but when I suck harder, she throws her head back and lets out a sound that’s pure music to my ears. My free hand slides down her side, over the curve of her hip, anchoring her to me as I worship her the way she deserves.
I switch to her other breast, giving it the same attention, my teeth grazing the sensitive skin just enough to make her squirm. “You like that, baby?” I murmur against her skin. “You like the way I’m taking care of you?”
Her hands tangle in my hair, pulling me closer. “Yes,” she breathes, her voice shaking. “God, yes.”
“You taste so fucking good,” I growl, my lips brushing her flushed skin. “But I’m not done yet. You fucking scared me, you understand that, don’t you?”
Her wide, dark eyes meet mine, and she nods slowly, her breath shaky.
“That was reckless, Valentina,” I say, my voice low and commanding. “And you know what I do to reckless girls?”
She swallows hard, her lips parting, but no sound escapes. Her skin flushes deeper, the realization of what I’m about to do hitting her as my words sink in.
My hands slide to her hips, and in one smooth motion, I lift her off the floor. She gasps, clinging to me as I carry her out of the kitchen. Her legs wrap around my waist, and the air between us crackles with tension, thick and unyielding.
I stride toward the living room, her soft gasps in my ear driving me wild. I set her down on the couch, turning her over in my lap so her ass is up and bare for me. She whimpers softly, her body trembling, but she doesn’t resist. She stays right where I place her—pliant, waiting, fucking perfect.
“Look at you,” I murmur, running my hand over the curve of her ass. “You’re so damn beautiful like this, Val. Bare, vulnerable, and all mine.”
She shivers under my touch, her fingers gripping the cushions as I knead her soft skin, spreading her cheeks just enough to make her squirm. I dip my head closer to her ear, my voice a low rumble. “You trust me, don’t you?”
“Yes,” she whispers, barely audible.
“Good,” I say, my tone rough. “Because I’m going to show you exactly what happens to reckless girls.”
I knead her skin again, slow and deliberate, letting her feel every ounce of my control. My hand trails down her spine, teasing, lingering, before sliding lower, closer to where she’s already wet for me. My fingers brush her inner thighs, and she lets out a soft moan, her hips instinctively pushing back toward me.
