Once Upon a Temptingly Ruinous Kiss - Bree Wolf Page 0,79

and her lips brushed against his.

It was no more than a fleeting touch, and yet, it shot through Drake like a bolt of lightning, erasing everything aside from the desire to feel her in his arms.

Every doubt and hesitation fell from him. He forgot about duty and responsibility. That voice that whispered in his head about right and wrong, always urging him to hold back and show consideration, was suddenly silent. Instead, his pulse thudded in his veins, all but propelling him forward.

Without thought, Drake dipped his head, touching his lips to hers once more. Again, it was only a fleeting touch. Only this time, it was his…and she did not pull away. It was as though she was leaning closer. Was he imagining it?

And then a soft sigh escaped her lips, and the touch of his lips against hers was suddenly no longer fleeting.

His hands pulled her closer as he kissed her, truly kissed her. His lips moved against hers, gently, tenderly. He felt her breath, warm and sweet, and he sank into their kiss as much as he dared. There was still caution within him. He was not mindless, of course. The fear of hurting her, frightening her, pulsed in his blood despite the longing he felt.

“Leo,” he whispered before his lips brushed against hers again. His hands moved, one slinking around to settle upon her back while the other trailed upward. The tips of his fingers brushed against the delicate skin upon her neck, and he felt her shiver. Yet, her lips seemed to move against his. Was he imagining it? Had he completely lost his mind? She couldn’t possibly be—!

Her hands settled upon his middle, and he could feel her warmth even through the layers of fabric separating them. She leaned closer, and this time, Drake was certain that she was kissing him back.

His left hand trailed further upward, brushing along the side of her neck, his thumb skimming over her cheek. He felt the softness of her hair tease his skin before the tips of his fingers brushed upward along the back of her neck until his hand cupped her head, holding her to him. He knew he should not, afraid it would make her feel trapped. Still, he wanted her closer, wrapped in his arms.

For now.

Forever.

That thought unsettled him deeply, and all of a sudden, Drake jerked backward. They all but flew apart, eyes wide, breaths coming fast as they stared at one another. Shock stood upon her face, and Drake cursed himself for losing control, for doing what he wanted and not what she needed. “I’m sorry,” he stammered, trying to regain his composure. “I shouldn’t have. I—”

As he stepped toward her, Leonora backed away. Her eyes were still wide, something vulnerable in them. She looked at him as though she had never seen him before. Something he could not understand flashed in her eyes and lingered upon her face. Had he truly frightened her? Drake could not be certain. He wished he knew what was going through her head in that moment.

“Thank you,” Leonora murmured, a touch of disbelief in her eyes as they swept over him as though trying to discern if their kiss had truly happened or if perhaps it had been nothing more than her imagination. “Thank you.” She briefly dipped her head, her gaze falling from his, before she took a step back. “I need to go.” She cast him a shy smile and then turned and reached for the cloak he had draped over the backrest of a chair.

For a long moment, Leonora simply stood there, at the door, looking at him, an odd look in her eyes he could not quite understand. Then she smiled at him once more, turned on her heel and hurried down the hall.

Closing his eyes, Drake sat down on the edge of his desk, unable to move. A part of him wanted to go after her, urge her to stay, but he did not. Perhaps they both needed a moment apart after their kiss, a chance to regain their composure.

Drake tensed. Did she perhaps regret what happened? Had his kiss frightened her after all? Yet, she had not seemed upset when she had left, had she? She had seemed strangely thoughtful, but not frightened of him.

Not fearful.

He had seen no regret or dismay in her eyes. Still, questions remained, and Drake knew that they would keep him busy for the days to come. He would be unable to think of anything