Page 112 of Red Zone
If anything, he doubles down, his grin downright evil as he shifts over me, his knees bracketing my hips as he pins me to the couch.
“You think you can just talk shit and not pay for it?” he says through his own laughter, shifting closer as I squirm away.
I try to shove his hands off me, but he’s stronger, faster, and suddenly we’re both sliding off the couch, landing in a heap on the carpet.
I’m breathless, half-laughing, half-protesting, my hair falling into my face as I try to crawl away.
But then his hands are on either side of me, and I realize he’s straddling me now, pinning me to the floor.
The laughter dies between us almost instantly.
He’s leaning over me, breathing hard, his hoodie hanging loose as his eyes lock on mine.
Instantly, the air shifts.
No more teasing.
No more pretending.
I swallow hard, my pulse thudding in my ears as he studies me.
His voice drops, quiet but sharp, cutting right through me.
“Why do you let me touch you like this,” he murmurs, his gaze searching mine. “If you don’t want this to mean anything?”
I can’t breathe.
Because for the first time all night, I don’t have a single clever thing to say back.
The air feels thick between us, every inch of space charged.
He is staring down at me like he’s trying to figure out how far he can push before I finally crack.
My lips part, but no sound comes out.
And he notices.
Of course he notices.
His jaw tightens, and he dips his head just slightly, his breath brushing across my cheek.
“If you don’t want me to kiss you,” he murmurs, his voice low and rough. “You need to tell me right now.”
My chest rises and falls too fast, my heart hammering against my ribs as his words settle over me.
“I’m serious, Lyla,” he adds, his eyes locked on mine. “You tell me to stop, and I swear I will. But if you don’t…”
His words hang between us, but I don’t say anything.
I can’t say anything.
Instead, I let my actions speak for me.
My fingers curl into the front of his hoodie, tugging him down to me until his lips meet mine.
It’s like a spark igniting gasoline—instant, hot, completely consuming.
He exhales sharply against my mouth, his body sinking lower as he deepens the kiss, one hand sliding under the back of my neck to tilt my head just the way he wants it.
