Besides the whole never been in a relationship thing.”
“How much time have you got?”
“All night, baby.” She chuckles, nudging me with her elbow. Sparks fly across my skin, spattering my cheeks with red. Thank fuck it’s dark in the living room.
I take a deep breath. “Right, well, I’m basically running away from Thanksgiving with my family. My half-sister is dating my best friend-slash-ex-business partner, and I feel too weird about it to be in the same room as them. I’m afraid he’ll hurt her, but I don’t know if that’s just jealousy for thinking they’ve found each other when I’m still on my own.”
Serena stares at me and finally nods. “All right. You win. That’s a lot of baggage.”
“I didn’t realize it was a competition.”
“Kit, come on,” Serena starts, turning to face me. “Everything’s a competition.”
I almost audibly groan at the sound of my name on her tongue. My eyes flick down to her lips, and they look a little too kissable.
Words hang on her tongue, but Serena says nothing. Her eyes linger on mine as her mouth drops open.
My whole body clenches. Need rips through my core like a wildfire, blazing straight down my spine. She’s close enough to kiss. Close enough to touch. Close enough to do a lot of things I shouldn’t even think about doing.
Serena’s eyes grow hooded, and her tongue slides out to lick her pouty lips. She flicks her gaze to my mouth, and I know she’s thinking exactly the same thing as me: How bad would it be, really, if we leaned toward each other and gave in to temptation?
6
Serena
There’s something wrong with me.
I want to kiss Kit. Like, really want to. He’s sitting there, all man and muscle and irresistible pheromones, and I’m pretty much powerless against it. My eyes flick down to his lips, and I wonder what it would feel like to have them on me.
On my own lips. My body. My breasts. What would those lips feel like between my legs? Would his tongue feel good if it twirled around my clit? Would he like the taste of me? Would it make him groan as he reached down between his legs to jerk himself off?
What would it feel like to have his hands all over me? To feel his arms wrapped around me like they were earlier, but this time, take it further?
All the way.
It’s here again. The heat. Whenever Kit’s near, I feel it. Right now it thrums with every heartbeat, sending pulses of fiery blood thumping through my body. Between my legs, wetness slicks my folds.
His gaze darkens. The air between us is thick, and I know I shouldn’t be here. I shouldn’t be thinking about kissing him, never mind anything else.
I definitely shouldn’t be wet. He hasn’t even touched me, and I’ll probably leave a damp patch on his sheets when I stand up.
I shake my head, trying to clear the thoughts away. Heat still clings to me, though, skating under my skin and making everything feel more sensitive.
I try to talk myself down. I repeat all the reasons I shouldn’t be thinking about his cock driving inside me and fucking me until I can’t walk or talk or see straight.
I’m moving in with him, for one.
He’s my brother’s friend.
And maybe most importantly, I’m fucked in the head. Wrecked. My self-esteem was all but shredded, and I’m only just starting to build myself back up again. I dated a guy for ten years, and now I’m going to rebound to the one guy from whom I should be keeping a respectful distance?
I should be running. Not just from Angelo. From everyone. I should be trying to find myself, not fall into bed with the first guy who smells like safety.
Clearing my throat, I break away from his gaze. My blood burns through my veins as my whole body clenches, craving his touch.
I want those broad, strong hands on me again. I want to wrap myself in his arms and inhale his scent. I want to feel safe and warm and hot. I want that fire in his eyes and breathiness in his voice. I want to be a woman in his arms, without worrying about what it means and what the consequences will be.
I haven’t enjoyed sex in years. It was a chore, and Angelo just took what he needed without giving back. The way my body’s reacting to Kit, though? Out of control. Wrong. Forbidden from now until the end of time.
When I cross my