Page 48 of Hayes
Chapter 21
Hayes
Lilith stands from the bar stool after finishing every bite of her chicken parmesan.
“I’m going to bed,” she says.
I grab her hand, stopping her mid-step. She doesn’t bother to turn and look at me, but that doesn’t stop her from telling me off.
“I’m exhausted. You both proved your point that I’m not in shape or ready to fight the Retribution Kings on my own. But I will be. So unless you’re ready to trust me with your secrets, let me sleep and try again tomorrow.”
I trust her; that’s not the problem. And she’s more than ready to face the Retribution Kings. Today wasn’t about making her prove herself. It was about distracting us after I got a phone call from Peter, followed by one from Titus. I know what’s expected of me—of us.
“I know,” I say, my eyes darkening and my grin returning. I will do everything in my power to make this enjoyable for her. To take away all of her fear. To protect her at all costs. Even if it means pretending I’m happy and calm when I’m the furthest thing from it.
Turning to me, she yawns as if trying to prove her point. “Then what do you want?”
“Let me help you sleep.”
She frowns and tilts her head in confusion. She’d fall asleep the second her head hits the pillow as it is. Still, I pull her to me in one hard yank of her hand. She falls into my chest, her breathing hard and ragged.
I lift my thumb to her lip and brush over it. She shivers at my touch, her cheeks pinking. And then her eyes lock on mine, and need flashes across her face.
“We can’t delay the next first any longer.”
She stills as she realizes what I could only protect her from for so long and pretend I could find a way out of. But both Peter and Titus made it clear that I can’t back out of this. The consequences will be severe if I do.
I grin widely, a smolder on my face that hints at all the devious and delicious things I want to do to her body, trying to calm her nerves. Fear still flickers in her eyes.
Leaning down, I kiss her. It’s a desperate kiss, where I don’t hold back. I kiss her with everything I have, forcing my mind to think of only her. My worry disappears the second my lips land on hers. Our bodies press together, fitting together like we’re cut from the same puzzle.
When my lips release hers, we’re both panting. We’re so desperate to feel each other that filming our intimate moment and knowing other disgusting men are watching no longer matters. All that matters is us.
“What first is this?” she asks, her breath hot against my lip.
“Worshipping your body until you come.”
“Something you’ve already given me.”
I shake my head, sucking her bottom lip again tenderly. “Something I haven’t done nearly enough.”
“I won’t have to pretend it’s our first time. Every time you kiss me, it feels like the first time. It’s like this is all a dream when I’m with you.” Her hooded eyes meet mine. “Is it always like this? Or is this feeling because it’s us?”
God, I’m fucking hard for her. It’s going to take everything in me not to fuck her senseless. But I want her to know the truth—as much of it as I can share with her—before I fuck her. I want her to actually choose me when I bury myself deep inside her. Because once I do, I won’t be able to stop fucking her.
“I can’t speak for you. Maybe you’d feel this way with another man. But for me, it’s never like this. I’ve only ever felt this way with you.”
Desire flashes in her eyes. “I can’t imagine feeling this way with anyone but you.”
And then our lips find each other again—hard and punishing. The impact rolls through us quickly, the need escalating into uncontrollable fervor.
My hands slide up her leggings, and I lift her under her thighs. She wraps her legs around my waist and throws her hands around my neck.
Our lips never leave each other as I lift her onto the bar. Our hands tangle into each other’s hair. I tilt her head back, giving me access to kiss down the delicate skin of her neck.
Moans escape her throat with each peppered kiss. Her fingers dig into my scalp as she yanks my lips back to her mouth, where I catch her next whimpers against my lips.
My cock hardens between her legs, and I push against her, letting her feel the effect she has on my body. Her legs wrap around me like a vice grip.
