Code Name: Ghost - Sawyer Bennett Page 0,46

if we talk first while eating, the kiss won’t be that great because it will be too planned. Plus, I cook with a lot of garlic, so now I’m afraid it’s going to be a horrible kiss after the spaghetti, but I want it to be perfect, you know?”

Despite all my misgivings about this—no matter the guilt I carry and regardless of the fact I don’t believe I deserve her—it’s in this moment, listening to her insecurities about a garlicky kiss, that I fall just a little bit in love with Anna Tate.

It’s also when I decide we can talk later, because another kiss really can’t wait… for her own peace of mind.

Setting my beer bottle down, I reach out and circle an arm around her waist. It lets me easily reel her into me. Her eyes flash with surprise, joy, then heat. Each emotion hits me square in the gut, especially knowing I can evoke that many in such a short time.

My other hand goes to her cheek, holding it there before sliding my fingers to the back of her head. I dip my head, locking my eyes to hers. She stares back with such trust I know I have to do right by her.

“We’ll eat and talk later, okay?”

She nods, licks her lower lip, and exhales as her hands come to my chest. “Okay.”

My mouth descends on hers. No one can call this kiss sweet or tender. There’s no hesitation, no wondering if I’m doing the right thing.

I claim Anna’s mouth as my very own, not willing to share it with another soul. As good as she tastes, I’m pretty sure I’m never going to give her up. Her moan is deep and guttural, rumbling across my tongue, and my body instantly reacts.

Skin tightening, blood hammering through my veins, and cock thickening. I haven’t had a woman in almost six goddamn months, yet not sure any I’ve ever had before this kiss with Anna amounted to much.

Anna’s arms go around my neck as she presses her body tightly into mine. I should be embarrassed she can feel my need for her pressed into her belly, but I’m not. Just as I hope she’s not embarrassed by the way she growls from the sensation, biting down hard on my lower lip.

I spin her away from the stove, back her into the wall, and kiss her more deeply. She lifts a leg, wrapping it around mine in an effort to get our pelvises in better alignment.

Our kiss goes from tentative to lightening in about five seconds flat. Already, I think I might die if I can’t feel more of her. Sink deep inside of her.

Too soon, Malik.

It is with a massive amount of self-control and effort I pull away from the kiss before it can go any farther. Anna and I are just about a few heartbeats from shedding clothes. As much as I want to be with her in that way, I can’t when there are still so many things between us.

I kiss her one more time, full and deep, but then gently withdraw so I can examine her. Her eyes flutter open, and she looks about as dazed as I feel.

“Too fast?” she murmurs.

“Too fast,” I agree. “We have to talk.”

Anna exhales as I take a step away from her. She brushes a lock of hair from her face, giving me a tremulous smile. “We have to be the only people in the world attracted to each other who need to have a serious talk before we do anything about it.”

She’s probably right about that. Most people who decide to have sex with each other operate on instinct, let their feelings alone drive them forward to a conclusion. Anna and I have too much at stake, though. While I hate to describe myself as such, we’re both vulnerable and perhaps susceptible to the influence we hold over each other.

We have to go into this with open eyes and clear consciences.

“But that kiss was really good, right?” she asks impishly.

“Really fucking good,” I reply. I know whatever comes next will be even better.

If we can agree on how to get there, or if we should even go there at all.

“Let’s eat dinner,” Anna suggests. “And after, we can talk. After that, who knows?”

It’s a solid plan, and I nod my assent. What I have to decide is how far do I want to go with this woman? She’s not anything I was searching for, yet I can’t imagine ever