Burn.
“Okay, grumpy pants. Geez. You know that’s not just a dating no-go, it’s a generalized conversation tactic. You’re so defensive tonight. Relax a little, will you. It’s just me.”
“It’s hard to relax around you, Prinie.”
I roll my eyes. “You’re thinking too much. Unwind. Let go of whatever you’re clinging to, and bask in the warmth of the fire, stare at the moon, breathe, Wraith. You’re wound too tight. If you’re not careful, you’re gonna pop a blood vessel.”
He actually chuckles as he sinks further into his seat like he’s following my instructions. “Okay, I’m listening. You know, for someone who’s so uptight all the time, you sure know how to relax when you want to.”
I tilt my head. “Whiskey helps.”
He raises his hand in the air. “Bar wench… another round of whiskey for me and the princess,” he yells, full of sarcasm.
“Did you just make a joke?” I giggle.
He shrugs. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Unfortunately, all the bar wenches are probably in bed.”
“Then we’ll have to get our own drinks. Up you get.” Wraith grabs my arm, lifting me from my comfy chair.
We start walking inside toward the bar where more people are passed out.
“I think we’re the only two still awake.”
“Does that mean we get to draw on everyone’s faces?” He mocks as we dodge over comatose bodies.
“Holy shit! Who are you right now?” Laughter bubbles up from inside my chest.
“Should I get the markers?” He narrows his eyes on me, but I can tell he’s joking.
“You know… when you’re relaxed, you’re actually pretty fucking cool.”
A genuine, happy laugh makes the corner of his lips turn up ever so slightly. A sight very rarely, if ever, seen from him. My eyes widen as I point at him. “Oh my God, you nearly smiled.”
He shakes his head. “No, I didn’t,” he defends.
As we reach the bar, I lean in close. “I bet you have a great smile,” I tease.
Wraith’s face lights up as he tries to fight it, but the corner of his lips turn up, the hint of his perfect teeth shining through. It’s the first time I’ve seen this much of a smile, and it’s fucking dazzling. It’s drawing me in as the energy in the room begins to change. It swirls around me, pulling me closer. I feel it, the happiness in the moment.
We’re in a good place right now, and all I want is to share it with him.
So, I take it.
I lean forward in a rush, pressing my lips to his. I ignite in an insatiable fire, it burns all the way down to my chest. He hesitates, but as I push my tongue inside his mouth, his hand instantly rushes up, grasping my hair. His fingers grip and pull, sending a tingle through my scalp in the most delicious way. He tastes of whiskey and desire as his other hand claws at my hip. He backs me frantically against the bar, our tongues colliding, dancing with each other in the frenzied kiss. My hands run up his back, clinging on, pulling him closer, needing him closer. I’ve wanted this kiss for so fucking long, now it’s here, it’s everything I remember but so much more. A low growl rumbles from his chest, the sound so fucking powerful it has me wanting to fall to my knees and worship him.
Adrenaline courses through me.
I don’t know why we’ve been fighting this.
It feels so fucking right.
My clit throbs as his hard cock presses against me. The need in him is evident as he grinds against me. His hand on my hip slides down to my thigh, hoisting my leg up around him, pulling me closer.
Wraith needs me just as I need him.
I let out a small moan into his mouth. The tension building inside me is so fucking unbearable, while lust overloads my senses. All I can think about is how everything has led us back to this point. Back to us, unable to keep our hands off each other.
He’s my addiction.
That much I’m sure of.
And as I kiss him, I know I want so much more.
His hand moves from my hair, sliding down to my neck, but he doesn’t squeeze like last time, he just rests it there as he slowly pulls his lips from mine, panting for much-needed breaths. I can’t slow my breathing as Wraith’s eyes lock onto mine, and they’re brimming with lust so intensely I feel the burn from here.
His whiskey-colored eyes bore into me, his forehead pressed tenderly against mine as we pant trying to come down from an insatiable high. We’ve never kissed like that before, and fucking hell if I don’t want to kiss him like that every single damn day for the rest of my life.
His fingers come up gently, caressing the side of my cheek. A hesitation crosses his features. “You should go to bed.”
“Are you coming with me?” My breathy voice is full of wanton need.
Wraith groans, pushes back from me completely, parting our insatiable bodies.
A wave washes over me like someone’s thrown a bucket of ice water over my body, dousing the flames he’s lit inside me.
“I can’t, Prinie.”
The realization hits me head-on—he’s closing off again.
Wraith turns and walks outside with Mack waddling alongside as they head for the fire pit.
Standing here alone and bereft, I straighten myself out. Taking a few inhales to stop the tears from falling, I glance around, making sure no one was watching, then somehow, I head for the stairs.
I could cry myself to sleep, but instead, I’ll have a damn cold shower.
If I don’t wash Wraith off me, the fire he ignited that lingers on my lips might burn me alive.
He
