Page 98 of The Sound Of Silence

Willow takes a deep breath and nods with her teeth still pulling on her trembling lip. And it’s then that another realization hits… I have never wanted to kiss anyone more than I do at this very moment. Actually I have never wanted to kiss anyone period. Except for her.

Taking the necklace from her fingers, I reach back and gently place it on the counter, my eyes never leaving hers.

Her chest rises and falls in quick succession, and I’m momentarily mesmerized by her. As though I’m seeing her for the first time. Or seeing more of her than I ever have before. Like I’m seeing into her soul.

“Fuck, Willow. I wish I’d met you in another life,” I whisper, only it’s a lie, because I did. I met her in another life. I should have wished that I’d met her in this one. Wished that the first time I saw her was when we crashed into each other last week.

Willow frowns. “I—”

Pressing my finger to her lip, I stop her from answering, knowing that whatever she says will affect the moment, and I’m not ready for that yet. I want to kiss her, and if I don’t taste her in the next second, I may forever regret it.

Framing her face with my hands, I brush my thumb over her lip, releasing it from her teeth. Her eyes widen as her breath hitches. And as one of my hands sinks into her hair, I lean forward, pausing with barely an inch separating us, hovering there for a second as my heart races and my body tingles in anticipation.

“Buttercup, you are going to destroy me.”

Chapter Forty

Willow

Jesse’swhisperedwordsechothrough my head, seconds before he presses his lips to mine, creating a connection between us that’s so much more than just the physical one. A moan rips from within me, but I don’t have time to be embarrassed before Jesse’s guttural groan drowns it out.

He hasn’t even moved, and yet I can feel the touch of his lips everywhere.

With his head tilted to the side, he snakes his hand farther into my hair and increases the pressure of the kiss, his mouth finally caressing mine. His movements may be slow and soft, but the explorative way he’s devouring me sends a bolt of electricity straight to my heart, not to mention my core.

Leaning into me until I’m forced to arch my back, Jesse tightens his hold, eliciting a soft gasp as my pebbled nipples press against his chest. His thumb runs along my jaw, opening my mouth as the tip of his tongue tentatively seeks entry, a groan ripping from within him as our tongues meet for the first time.His first time.Though you wouldn’t know it, because it feels like he’s been kissing me forever.

We quickly find a rhythm, and just when I think it couldn’t be more perfect, Jesse tugs at my hair, tilting my head back to possess my mouth.

My heart jolts in surprise, but I love what he’s doing to me. His carnal urge sets my body alight. It may have been a while since I last kissed someone, but I can say with absolute certainty that it was nothing like this. In fact, no part of me can fathom it ever being like this with anyone else. The way my skin prickles with every touch, and my heart races in anticipation, or the way Jesse consumes every piece of me.

When he pulls back, I feel the loss instantly, but when he sucks my bottom lip into his mouth, I can’t stop myself from crying out, as a high-pitched mewl escapes me.

“Fuck, Willow. Your sounds—”

I’ve never made these sounds.

I cut off his words, framing his face in my hands before pulling him into another kiss, feeling incredibly powerful when he groans in response. But whenhishands drop from my face and he steps back, I know I’ve made the wrong move.Maybe he wasn’t ready for me to take the lead.

No words pass between us as we stare in each other’s eyes, unmoving, our breaths coming out rushed but in a synchronized pattern.

I’m on edge, expecting Jesse to walk away, but that’s not what happens. Instead, his eyes bounce between mine, searching for something, while his hand runs up the length of my arm, his fingertips leaving goose bumps in their wake.

I hold my breath as my chest swirls with nervous anticipation, waiting to see how this all plays out. His movements are painstakingly slow, and it takes everything in my power not to react. Not to make the first move.

His palm reaches my neck, and his fingers find their way back into my hair, making my breath hitch just as he lets out a curse, slamming his lips to mine, taking back control.

Spinning me around, he walks us back until my ass hits the side counter, before lifting me up with one hand and spreading my legs so he can step between them.

My core pulses with need as he presses against me, and I find myself wishing there was nothing between us.

With his fingers curled around my neck, he lifts my head and pushes his tongue inside me, consuming me in a bruising kiss.

Meeting his fervor, I dig my fingers into his waist and pull him closer, rolling my hips against his hardness. When he doesn’t protest, I slip my other hand beneath his tee, running my fingers across his skin, feeling his muscles tense beneath my touch. He lets out another string of curses, but doesn’t pull away or break our connection. Instead, he almost leans farther into me, allowing me to have this. Letting me explore his body even though it pains him.

Making my way across his chest, I splay my palm over his heart and relish in the feel of it pounding against me, makingmyheart jump as I take in the importance of this moment, committing the feel of him to memory in case we never get this time again.

With our tongues at war, Jesse’s hold on me tightens, his fingers biting into my skin.

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