Page 16 of Ride or Die
He looks over at me, waiting for my answer. I do the math quickly in my head.
“A net income of 35k!” I yell out, barely needing to think about it. He made his questions way too easy, and I made mine way harder. I had this competition in the bag from the get-go.
I’m sitting here with my hands covering my open mouth, eyebrows raised, waiting for his response. I know I won. I’m just playing along. He drops his head, confirming my win, and I shoot up, cheering.
“Yes! I won!” I do a little dance in a full circle, then I sit back down on the bed and clap, throwing my head back with a laugh. Colton’s hands squeeze my legs while he grins at me with admiration.
“Yes, yes, you win. I get it. I really wanted that trophy, though.” He pouts.
“Shouldn’t have gone against the best.” I kiss my biceps, showcasing my knowledge strength. Then I reach down and grab both of his hands on my legs and give them a squeeze. He looks down at our hands, then back up at me.
I realize what I’m doing and try to pull them away, but he holds onto them. The air gets thick and heavy around us. My heart is slamming against my ribcage, reacting to the way he's looking at me.
“Layla,” he whispers as his gaze shifts between my eyes and lips. His hand reaches up and cups my cheek, and I lean into it, desperate for human contact. He bites his lip, his thumb softly rubbing across my hot skin, and I can see the wheels turning in his head, his beautiful eyes staring into mine.
My next breath hitches in my throat, and all I hear is my pulse thudding in my ears.
Is he going to kiss me?
CHAPTER
NINE
FIRST KISS
LAYLA
And then he answers my question.
His eyes are locked on my lips, heat radiating between us as he inches closer. The air is charged with electric anticipation that sends shivers down my spine. I can feel the warmth of his breath against my skin, and my heart races in time with my buzzing thoughts. As he leans in, the world around us fades, leaving us suspended in this breathless space.
Our lips gently brush, a whisper of a touch, and my heart soars. But when his plump, soft lips finally meet mine, it's like a spark igniting a flame. He nibbles my bottom lip, coaxing my mouth to open for him, allowing his tongue to slip inside.
Gentle yet deliberate, his kiss sends a rush of warmth flooding through me. Time slows, and all of my nerve endings awaken.
I can hardly believe this moment is real. I’m experiencing my first ever kiss with Colton fucking Hawthorne.
Holy shit.
My head leans into his hand that cradles my cheek, our tongues dancing in a slow, seductive rhythm, forcing a moanfrom my throat. He reaches around the back of my neck, pulling me further into him, and I willingly go as he deepens the kiss, his own soft moan answering mine.
I’ve wanted this, craved this, for so damn long. For ten years, I’ve had a crush on this unattainable boy, and here I am, kissing him.Finally.
Our pace picks up as we taste and tease each other, creating fireworks between us. Our kiss is seamless, like we have been doing this for years. I share a connection with Colton I have only experienced in those romance novels on my shelf. It feels so good and freaks the hell out of me at the same time. What am I doing?
I reluctantly pull away from him. He still holds onto my cheek as his gaze darts across mine, filled with concern. He realizes what’s happening and pulls his hand away from me. I miss his touch instantly.
“Are you okay? Was that okay? Oh my god. I didn’t even ask your permission before I kissed you. I can’t believe I fucked this up.” He starts to panic and swings his legs off my bed, rubbing his hands along his thighs anxiously.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” he mutters to himself.
I close my eyes, waving my arms in front of me to get his attention.
“Wait. Wait. Wait. Calm down. Yes, I’m okay. Yes, it was…fantastic, actually. I’m glad you didn’t ask my permission so I didn’t have time to overthink it. But seriously Colt—” He groans, looking over at me.
“I can’t get enough of hearing you say my name.” His tongue darts out to lick his lips as his lustful eyes rake over my body.
I shake my head, trying to ignore the arousal shooting straight to my core at the sound of his voice in that raspy tone.
