Page 107 of Cuffed By Love

I did it.

I finally caved and kissed her, and my God, what a kiss. That taste I’ve been desperately longing for since the last time we kissed came rushing back to me. I hadn’t known just how much I’d been truly yearning for her. The heat of her mouth against mine, the breathy moans, the way she caresses her tongue languidly over mine. It makes me want to combust.

Nine whole years of yearning poured into one mind-blowing kiss. It wasn’t one of anger or hunger, despite the frustration between us. No, it was a kiss full of so much emotion, too many unspoken words. I could have kissed her forever, but much to my dismay Mira pulls back, ending the kiss, leaving me a stupor. I peel my eyes open and look down into her flushed face. Her soft, plump lips parted, and she’s panting softly. I search her eyes and can’t place the meaning behind her startled expression. “Dev, why did you do that?”

“Why? I’ve been wanting to do that for nine years, Mira.” I tell her earnestly, my fingers gliding through her hair. The pained look in her eyes, however, makes my gut twist. “Please don’t look at me like that.” I plead, pressing my forehead to hers.

Mira’s eyes close, and she shakes her head disappointedly. “You shouldn’t have done that, Devin. Not only have you got a girlfriend who is waiting for you somewhere in this club wondering where you are. You just made me the other girl.” Mira utters, pulling my hands away from her face.

I watch her back away from me and grab her arm and draw her back to me. “You kissed me back, Mira.”

“Yes, I know!” she snaps hotly. “It was a mistake, okay, a moment of weakness, that’s all. I don’t care how good it felt or how much I want you. We’ve already crossed so many lines, Devin. I’m not the type of girl that screws around with another girl’s boyfriend, and you’ve never been a guy that cheats. So don’t you ever do that to me again.” Mira says and pulls her hand out of my hold, and turns to leave.

“Mira.” I catch her hand, and she looks back at me. Even in the dark, I can see the guilt glowing in her eyes.

“Go back to your girlfriend Devin and stop chasing a fantasy because that’s all this is; it’s all we will ever be.” Her last words cut me deep. When I kissed her, this was not the reaction I expected following such an incredible kiss. I watch her disappear into the crowd, and the further she got, the greater the guilt intensified. I don’t regret kissing her. What I do regret, however, is unwittingly putting her in a difficult situation. I don’t know what came over me, but it was inevitable. That kiss was bound to happen eventually with how intense things are between us at the moment.

Was she right about us being nothing but a pipe dream? After gathering my thoughts, I make my way through the club, back to the VIP lounge. My eyes search for Mira, but I don’t see her or Levi anywhere. I scan the dance floor, but they’re not around. “Lex, where’s Mira?” I lean over close to her ear so she could hear me over the loud music.

Lexi pulls her mouth away from the straw and swallows her drink. “She just left with Levi.”

Of course, she did.

“There you are! Come dance with me, baby.” Megan slurs, throwing her arms around my neck.

“That’s enough dancing for one night. Let’s get you home.” I wave goodbye to the others and lug a drunken Megan out of the club. In the car, I look down at Megan passed out beside me, her head on my shoulder. Pressing my head against the window, I heave a frustrated sigh. Mira’s kiss still lingers on my lips, and I can still taste her, feel those soft pillow lips on mine. God, I want her so much, it’s fucking killing me.

The next few days went by in a blur. Mira and I avoided one another unless it was work related. Megan flew back early to Singapore after we had a massive row and broke up. Duncan, her dad, is adamant about getting married, but I’m not ready for that commitment. I decide when I want to take that step. I’ll be damned if I let her and her meddling father manipulate or pressure me into a marriage I’m not ready for. Apparently, we want completely different things, so Megan decided she needs time apart to reflect. Whatever the fuck that means. If she thinks by breaking things off with me, I will change my mind and propose she can think again.

I’m staring blankly at my laptop’s screen, reading but not taking anything in, when a knock sounds on my door. I look up and see Mira walk in.

“Can I come in?” She requests warily.

I nod, “Of course.”

I watch her as she walks over to my desk and leans against it. “Just wanted to check in with you. Levi said you and Megan broke up?”

I nod again, “We did.” Mira’s brows go up, and she bites her bottom lip.

“Are you okay?”

I shrug. “It threw me off, but it was her choice. She seems to think we need time apart to figure out what it is we really want before we can move forward.”

Mira frowns. “What does that mean?”

“She wants to get married. I don’t.” I state with a sigh and rub my forehead. “It’s probably for the best that we take some time apart.” I lift my gaze to look at her. “My head’s been a mess, anyway.”

Mira winces a little but nods, “Yeah, I get that.” She declares and looks down at the paper in her hand. “I sent you the itinerary for our trip to Rome. Did you get it?”

I shake my head and take the paper when she holds it out to me. “The jet leaves at midday. We should already be checked in by the time our flight lands there.” She explains and stops to lick her lips. “The car is picking us up at eleven.”

I look up at her again and set the paper down on my desk before I stand and move over to her. Mira watches me cautiously as I approach her, craning her neck to look up when I tower over her. “How are things with you and Levi?”

Mira swallows thickly and shrugs, “Levi and I are great.”

“Mmm.” I hum and lean close until my lips brush against her ear. “You’re just friends, though, right? You’re not exclusive?”

Mira pulls her head back to look up at me. “No. We’re just friends. Why?” she questions cagily, her brows fusing when I only smile in response and pull away.

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