Page 42 of CHOICE Lover
She steps closer, and he can’t bring himself to push her away. His nerves are firing with fear or anticipation. Maybe both?Just pretend she’s a manupartner and it will be fine.
“What else do you think he’d like about me?” There’s mischief in her dark stare as it meets his.
“You’re quick-witted and playful. He was like that. Irritatingly stubborn, too.”
Her brows knit so quickly, he wonders if he imagined it. “Too bad you don’t appreciate my stubbornness. Your loss,” she teases.
She moves to turn away, but he grasps her arm to keep her facing him. “Don’t say that.”Bad idea, Res6. Let her go.His handdoesn’t budge.
“So you like me, then?” Her easygoing grin is enough to draw him a step closer.
I like everything about you.Oh Zorg. That’s true, isn’t it? He likes her. Fuck. This is bad. “Could be worse. You could have invented manupartners,” he deflects, hoping his self-deprecation will . . . what? Make her think he’s less of a monster so she’ll like him back?
Right as she releases a tinkling laugh, fireworks burst overhead. She jumps, which puts them standing mere inches apart. They glance skyward in unison. Blue, white, green, and pink explosions fill the simulated sky. There’s a red flash, and a crackling heart appears, eclipsing the other sprays of color.
Electra gasps, whipping her face back toward him. The reflection of the fireworks illuminates her skin, and she’s glowing. Her hand presses against his chest, fisting in his shirt. He’s helpless at the tiny point of contact. It’s burning through his shirt, heating his skin, and melting his normally rational mind.
“Res6, are you trying to date me—”
Because he can’t let her finish the question, he leans down, brushing his lips against hers. Her breath catches, and his skin prickles at the contact—at her reaction. At the way her lips tremble ever so slightly, as if she’s as nervous as he is. Despite his normally logical mind, it feels like fate has genetically engineered this moment to lead to this kiss. The touch of his lips against hers is soft. Tentative. He savors the momentary contact, his heart thundering. When she doesn’t respond, panic floods through him. Did he misjudge? This is exactly why he avoids—her lips move. Slowly at first, but then with more urgency. She’s kissing him back.
Yes. Yes. Yes!
He cups her jaw, and her mouth parts. The relief that hits him is so sharp it weakens his knees. Maybe that’s his desire, but fuck, it’s so good. Moving closer, he explores, tasting the purple of her lip gloss and the mint fromher cocktail. She’s so unbelievably delicious, like he knew she would be the moment she first woke and her lips moved.
He slides his free hand around her waist and draws her against him. His cock takes notice, swelling. He definitely wants to fuck her—it’s been years, but—She’s not for you. What are you thinking?He doesn’t care. He needs to be closer, yet he’s terrified to do more. What if she comes to her senses and rejects him? This kiss is dangerous enough, though he can’t seem to let her go.
The light from the fireworks display fades in the background, and she pulls away, leaving him dazed. Her lips are swollen from the kiss, and she grips the blanket protectively. His desire urges him to drag her back into his embrace, but she steps out of arm’s reach. She touches her lips like she’s . . . shocked.
Oh Zephyr, what have I done?His world—briefly lighter—falls out from beneath him. How can he tell Jerme he kissed the woman he wants to—fuck—hold—possess.Get it together, Res6.The woman he thought would be perfect for Jerme? This is bad. More so because she knows him and still kissed him back.And she’s already retreating.Would she still be open to Jerme after this? Has he ruined everything? Yes, obviously.
“Res6, are you okay?” she asks.
“I . . . I can’t believe I kissed you.”
She gives him a shaky laugh. “Me either. But you did. And I’m not even a manupartner,” she teases.
Getting involved with her is against his better judgment on too many levels. Does how much he liked the way her lips felt under his make him a hypocrite? Or that he planned to set her up with his brother for all of their sakes? Or that she’s human? “If people knew I was doing this with a human woman, my reputation would be ruined.” He runs his hands through his hair, resisting the urge to pace. Since he’s already crossed the line, what’s the harm in kissing her again? Ifhe’s honest, he desperately wants to. If his plan to connect her with Jerme is already ruined . . .
She looks as dazed as he is. “Excuse me?” A pretty shade of pink warms her cheeks as she stares at him.
Maybe he’ll reconsider his stance on the inviting berry-flavored gloss on her lips and make sure she has a never-ending supply. He chuckles, stepping near and lifting her chin to kiss her again. “We’re definitely going to check your hearing.”
His lips brush hers. “Electra,” he murmurs. Her name is so right on his tongue. Maybe the lip gloss isn’t the only thing he’ll need to reconsider his stance on—
“I can hear perfectly fine,” she barks, pulling away. “What did you mean by that?” His mouth drops open, and she adds, “Not about my hearing. About your stupid reputation.”
What did he say? His reputation. Right. A sinking feeling settles in his gut. He steps back. “I didn’t mean anything by it.” Her glare suggests she doesn’t believe him. “I invented manupartners. Imagine what’s at stake for me. How do you think people’s perception of my company will shift if they knew I was kissing a real woman?”
She takes a few steps back. “Oh my God, I should have known you would do this. I am so stupid.”
He reaches for her, but she jerks away. “Electra, please.”
She lets out a comically exaggerated groan. “Youkissedme. Did you forget that I’m a real woman? That you’re you and I’m me?” She draws the blanket up to cover her eyes. “I would never even date you in real life. In fact, we aren’t dating.”
What does she mean byreal life? This feels pretty real to him. “Look, I didn’t mean it that way.” She lowers the blanket, scowling. There has to be a plausible excuse. Something that doesn’t get him into even more trouble. “I got lost in the moment pretending you were amanupartner.” Shit. Why did he say that? That was before they stepped onto the observation deck. She’ll definitely misconstrue—
“You were pretending I was a manupartner?!” she explodes, marching toward the doorway.
