Page 11 of The Players We Hate
And God help me, I wanted that something to be him.
I looked away, only for a second, then forced myself to meet his eyes again. “I’ve never gone this far before.”
His brow furrowed, but he didn’t move. “Gone how far?”
My voice was barely above a whisper. “The party. The flirting. The… being alone with a guy like this.” I paused, feeling heat creep into my cheeks. “I’ve messed around before. You know, kissing and touching, but it never felt like this. Not this strong. Not like I might actually want to keep going.”
Something flickered across his face. Not quite shock but more understanding.
“So you’ve never—?”
I shook my head before he could finish.
He didn’t rush to fill the silence. His gaze stayed on mine, softer now but still burning with something that made my knees unsteady.
“You know I didn’t bring you up here for that reason, right?”
“I know.” My voice wavered. “But I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t mind if you had.”
His expression shifted, and for a moment, I thought he might tell me no.
“It’s not the liquor talking,” I added quickly. “Well… maybe a little. It’s giving me courage. I’m not saying this because I don’t want it.”
That earned the faintest smile from him. It was only a flicker before it faded.
He reached for my hand, and I let him take it this time. My fingers trembled in his warm grip. With a gentle tug, he pulled me toward him.
I couldn’t tell if it was the alcohol, the nerves, or the charge running through me, but I leaned in and closed the gap. My heart pounded hard against my chest.
“I want you to kiss me,” I blurted, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. “But… I’m afraid I don’t know how.”
Talon didn’t laugh. He didn’t tease. He cupped my cheek, his fingers rough at the edges but careful against my skin.
“I’ve got you,” he murmured.
He leaned in until his lips touched mine. Unhurried in a way that promised I’d never forget.
My heart raced, my breath shallow as I kissed him back. It was clumsy at first, unsure, until his thumb stroked along the curve of my jaw, coaxing me closer. Every thought swirling in my mind slipped away.
My eyes fluttered shut. For a heartbeat, the whole world tilted and stilled. I swayed, and Talon’s arms circled my waist, anchoring me to him. My fingers clutched the front of his shirt, holding him there.
There was no noise. No cameras. No rules.
Only him. Only this.
When we finally parted, neither of us moved. He didn’t pull away. Instead, his forehead pressed against mine, our noses brushing slightly, our breaths tangled in the stillness.
“You okay?” he asked, voice barely above a whisper.
I nodded, dizzy and warm, every nerve prinkling through me. “Yeah,” I breathed. “I think… I really liked that.”
He smiled again. “Good.”
One hand slid to the back of my neck, firm and grounding, while the other pressed against my spine, holding me close as we stayed tangled in the moment. My skin hummed everywhere he touched, my breath uneven.
When I leaned into him again, his mouth brushed mine, and it was slower this time, deeper. His tongue grazed mybottom lip, and my fingers tightened around the edge of his shirt, afraid the moment might vanish if I let go.
Then, unexpectedly, something buzzed between us.
