Page 81 of The Reading

“Now who’s putting words in someone’s mouth,” I flung back.

Carter ran his hands through his hair as he started pacing. “You’re driving me fucking nuts,” he muttered, and this was getting us nowhere.

“Look, let’s just forget about this,” I suggested. “If you don’t want me kissing the customers, fine. I’ll…I’ll wait until we close and…tomorrow’s the actual holiday anyway.”

“So, your new plan is to go about town tomorrow and start kissing random men?” he asked incredulously, and I really was getting irritated with the man.

“Quit being a dick,” I bit out, frustrated that we kept going round and round.

“That’s it,” he announced when he stopped pacing. “I’m done with this shit.”

Somehow, that sounded both good and bad. “You…you are?”

“You have no fucking idea,” he growled.

*****

Carter~

Iwas so done with going crazy rounds with Alessa. This was getting us nowhere, and I was definitely tired of hearing how she was going to go around and kiss random men in town. While she had a valid point abouteveryone seeing us kiss, I didn’t care anymore.

I. Just. Didn’t. Fucking. Care.

Fed the fuck up and tired of denying myself, I walked over, slapped both my palms against the door on either side of her, caging her in, then leaned down into that stunning face of hers. “If you’re so fucking desperate for a kiss, then let’s fucking kiss.”

Her grey eyes widened as she looked up at me. “Wh…what?”

“Let’s see how much a New Year’s Eve kiss is really worth, Al,” I said.

“But…but…it’s…” She stopped to clear her throat. “It’s not midnight.”

“Fuck midnight,” I growled, ready to just forget about gaining permission to put my lips on her.

“Carter-”

“It’s me or it’s no one,” I said, finally laying down the law. “Me or no one, Alessa.”

“I know what you’re trying to do, Carter,” she muttered.

“Oh, yeah? And what’s that?”

“This kiss isn’t going to mean anything, so you’re doing it to prove my kiss theory wrong.”

“Oh, baby, that’s where you’re very mistaken,” I said, lowering my face next to her, my breath dancing across her jaw.

“Uhm…”

“Yes or no, Alessa?”

She didn’t answer, but when I felt her hands on my chest, her fingers fisting the fabric, I knew that was my answer, and her answer was yes.

Nudging her jaw with mine, I ran my cheek against hers, absorbing her scent. I never thought that I’d be this close to her ever, so I was going to savor every second of this experience.

“Carter…” she whispered, and I knew enough to recognized when a woman was turned on.

Taking my right hand off the door, I wrapped it around her neck, forcing her chin up, and when she let out a tiny whimper, I slammed my lips down on hers. Alessa immediately opened up for me, causing my other hand to come down and wrap around her hip. Holding her firmly against the door, I deepened the kiss, and it was enough to make her moan in my arms.

I had employees that were busy getting ready for tonight, and I had enough customers already here that we needed to call in the doormen early, but all I cared about was this kiss. Alessa in my arms was the only thing that was registering, and I didn’t care if we ran out of liquor as long as I could keep kissing this woman.

---