Page 52 of Wicked Duty
We’re both just standing here cackling.
“Good night, Callum.” For some crazy reason, I lean forward to give him a quick peck on the cheek. It’s not until my mouth is pressed against his that I realize what I’ve just done.
Jerking back, I register that his surprise mirrors my own before he wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me close.
His lips find mine.
A real kiss this time, his tongue tracing the seam of my mouth. I part my lips, fisting my hands in his shirt as my knees weaken. He tastes like wine and sin. And though I might regret it in the morning, I kiss him back like tomorrow doesn’t matter.
He groans into my mouth, nipping my lower lip, then cups the back of my neck. His fingers twist into my hair and tug. My head tips, granting him better access. As the kiss deepens, my eyes flutter shut.
I haven’t kissed anyone in…I’m not sure how long. Even so, I never remember a kiss feeling like this. He splays his free hand across my hip, holding me close as he presses featherlight pecks across the corner of my mouth, my jaw, my neck. When his mouth returns to mine, electricity zips through every nerve.
I gasp at the dizzying sensation, and the noise breaks the spell.
Callum pulls away as quickly as he yanked me in.
For several seconds, we stand here in silence, panting. Only a thin circle of green shows around his dilated pupils.
When I lick my lips and back away, he releases me.
“I. Um. I need to sleep.” My throat issodry. “Good night, Callum.”
I flee to the bedroom, closing the door with a snap.
I prepare for bed and turn out the lights before nestling under my covers. My mind races, but I can’t muster an ounce of remorse for what happened. Kissing Callum was indescribable.
The most shameful part is…I want to do it again.
Chapter 20
Callum
I stand alone at the dinner table for at least five minutes after she leaves, my feet rooted to the floor.
What the fuck was that?
One minute we’re eating dinner, celebrating her win, and swapping battle stories. The next… The last thing I expected was to feel Lucy’s soft, warm lips on mine.
I know for a fact that she despises me. Yet just a few minutes ago, she smiled brightly…and then kissed me.
And I kissed her back. Greedily. With a hunger to dominate her mouth that’s foreign to me.
On the random occasions I hook up with someone, I approach the encounters as a method of satisfying a biological urge. For both of us. Nothing more. I never kiss for kissing’s sake, and my blood never boils with desire like this. Half the time, I’m on autopilot.
Christ, this woman crawls so deeply under my skin, she hits the bone.
I’d intended to spend the rest of the night analyzing footage from the event to catch anything or anyoneI might’ve missed lurking in the crowd, but that possibility just flew right out the window. I’m far too amped up to sit on the sofa and work.
Grabbing her like that was a misstep.
If I hadn’t startled her, she wouldn’t have fallen, and if she hadn’t fallen, none of the events that followed would’ve happened either.
If only I’d remained in control for another thirty seconds. Nothing between us would’ve changed. Instead, all I can think about is how perfect her body felt against mine. Her sweet jasmine fragrance. Her panting breaths. The plumpness of her lip between my teeth. Her breasts against my chest.
Fucking hell.
I need to get out of here.
