Allegiance - Chiah Wilder Page 0,8

he broke the kiss and trailed his lips along her jawline, licking his way down her neck when she tipped her head back.

“I like that,” he groaned.

The light scraping of his teeth against her tender skin made her nerves snap with desire.

“So soft.” Nibbling on her lobe, he ran the tip of his tongue along the length of her neck

while tracing the skin behind her ear with the end of his finger.

He claimed her mouth feverishly once more, causing her knees to tremble. There was nothing else like it. She’d never been kissed so thoroughly, so hungrily, that it made her feel like she could explode at any moment.

When he drew back, they were both trying to catch their breaths like a couple of sex-crazed teenagers.

With his arms still locking her body to his, he said in a low voice, “Do you have to go back with the truck tonight? We could go somewhere else.” Resting his forehead against hers, he stared into her eyes. “This doesn’t have to end.”

She ran her hand down his arm. “It does, Tank.”

Her reply surprised even herself, but he seemed to take it like a douse of cold water.

Tank took a quick step back and cleared his throat. “Sure. No problem.”

The scent of evening primrose wafting through the night air was now more annoying than romantic. Lena’s palms were still hot from where she’d gripped his hips, her mind still foggy, but she wasn’t so far gone enough to forget her common sense. The following day, she had several big orders to fill, so she had to be at the restaurant at 6:30 a.m. and ready to work. Indulging in her lust for this man would be reckless, and just plain foolish.

“I’m sorry, but I have a real busy day in the kitchen. I hope you understand. Besides, we don’t know each other well enough, right?”

Tank tilted his head and shrugged, as if it wasn’t anything to him. But his heated stare told her otherwise.

“You’re pissed at me.”

It’s for the best. He’d be a serious distraction.

“It’s no big deal. We flirted and kissed. I’d like your number, though. Maybe we could go out for dinner sometime.”

Needing to get a grip, she took a few shallow breaths as she assessed the awkward sexual tension dancing between them.

“Right now, I don’t think that’s possible. I’ve got a lot on my plate with the catering company, and going out on dates is something I just don’t have time for.”

“All work and no play—”

“I know, I know,” she said, waving her hands. “Look, I’m going to shoot it to you straight. We both got caught up in the moment. We’re at an engagement party, we’re attracted to each other, and you had too much to drink. The romance, the ambiance, the crashing waves…”

“I think it was more than strings of light, bourbon, and the fuckin’ ocean.”

Rubbing her eyes, she sighed. “I have to go, Tank. My staff is getting restless, and I’ve still got a million things to unload. I’m glad I met you.” Awkward!

Before he could say anything else in his deep, persuasive tone, she spun toward the truck and ran through the thick grass to the parking lot. There was really no other way to exit with dignity, especially when her brain was still rattling around the image of him naked, sprawled out on her sheets as she moved her lips down his body—

“Quit it,” she snapped out loud. “I’ve seen hot guys before and contained myself. This is nothing different.”

Opening the truck’s door, Matthew greeted her with a sly grin.

“Are you ready to head out, or are you still busy?”

“Let’s go. I’m exhausted, and in no mood to be teased.”

“No teasing. You got it, boss.”

Lena leaned her head against the passenger window as Matthew drove out of the lot. She didn’t dare look back at Tank. He’s probably disappointed because I screwed up his track record. I bet he’s calling Blondie right now. That thought made her stomach clench, but she ignored it.

All she wanted was to unload the trucks, go home, and crawl into her four-poster bed.

Lena

“I’m telling you, Fe, it was unlike any other kiss I’ve ever had in my life.” Lena rested her chin on her upturned palm, leaning against a shelf in the back of the supply closet in her bistro. Her best friend sat rapt over the video call, hanging on Lena’s every word.

“He was so passionate. It felt like we’d known each other for much longer than a few