Page 29 of Cherry Beats

“Those who think they can dig through someone’s dirt to analyse the psychology of it all.”

“I don’t even understand my own dirt. I don’t have time to waste trying to save everyone else.”

“What dirt you got on you?”

I narrowed my eyes. “Please don’t tell me you’re one of those types.”

His grin broke free. “Touché.”

“Yes. You can. You can touché me here…” I pointed to my lips and waited.

He was next to me in a breath, slipping his hand between my legs and cupping me firmly. “What about if I touché you here?”

Presley searched my eyes with an intensity that reached right down into my soul, making my stomach contract and my skin ripple.

“You really think you can break me before I break you tonight?” he asked quietly.

“I can have fun trying.” I grabbed the lapels of his jacket, curled my fingers into the leather, and tugged him closer. “Break me, but don’t ruin me, okay?”

“You’re not that fragile, Cherry.”

“You’d be surprised.” I pushed his jacket back over his shoulders, looking up into his heated eyes. “Now would be a good time to kiss me.”

Presley’s tongue swept through my waiting lips, licking and flicking me into a dirty low moaning mess of melting limbs. I’d never been kissed that way before. So hungrily. So unashamedly. So considerately.

The thud of his jacket hitting the floor had me moving my hand to his chest, and all I could feel beneath my skin were steely muscles protecting a rapidly beating heart.

His heart was beating that way because of me.

I smiled against his lips, my eyes still closed, and whispered between kisses, “You’re so going to lose tonight.”

* * *

I was still standing in place with my mouth agape when I heard the water begin to run into the bathtub, and Presley’s cocky, self-assured whistle ring out around the apartment.

He was whistling to the tune ofLivin’ On a Prayer.

Bon fucking Jovi.

That weasel.

“Oh, you’re so gonna lose again, Presley. Game on.”

Chapter Ten

Go to him,the devil on my shoulder urged me.

Be careful, Tess,the angel warned.

Live your life. This may be the last chance you ever get to touch him.

Temptation is difficult to resist, yes, but you can do thi—

“Oh, shut the fuck up, angel,” I hissed, marching across the apartment in a few strides until I was standing outside the bathroom door. He’d left it ajar, so there was the smallest crack for me to peek through—the master of the tease. I grabbed the handle and leaned in to listen to him whistling as he tested the water and swirled it around with his hand.

“You coming in or what?” he asked suddenly. “Shit, these bubbles are everywhere.”

“What will happen if I come in?”

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