Page 19 of Wild Lies

Her arms fall to her side, and she sighs heavily. “Then why say it? Why would you stop?”

Standing, I pace in the space between the coffee table and couch. “Because I don’t want you to feel like you owe me anything. And I stopped so I didn’t fucking cum in my boxers.” I wave my hands in front of my crotch, drawing her attention to the bulge that’s only grown as the day has gone on. “I’ve been in a constant state of arousal all fucking day because of you.”

Even in the dim lighting of the room, I can see the pinkness filling her cheeks. “Oh.”

“Yeah, ‘oh’,” I reply, running my fingers through my hair and tugging on the strands.

My chest tightens. This wasn’t how this was supposed to go.

12

CHLOE

I dart my tongue out over my lips as I pad across the living room to Kade. His back is to me, but based on how tense his shoulders look, I can tell he’s beating himself up about what just happened. The truth is, I want him so much that there isn’t a thing he could do right now to ruin it—besides telling me he’s leaving. That nearly did it.

When I reach him, I run my hand over his shoulder and down his back. He turns to look at me, his hair slightly mussed up, and his eyes filled with anguish.

“I’m sorry I ruined the moment.” He blows out a breath, one laden with guilt and frustration.

“You’ve been the perfect gentleman. In fact, I’ve been seriously questioning if what I feel for you is entirely one-sided.”

He shakes his head, a groove forming between his brows when he takes a step forward.

I hold up a hand and say, “Let me finish what I have to say, please.” Sucking in a lungful of courage, I blow it out and continue. “Right now, I need you to not be a gentleman. I need you to take me. To consume me. To feast on me. To⁠—”

My words are cut off by his mouth crashing down on mine. Kade picks me up, sliding one hand under the slit in my dress and forcing it up so that I can wrap my legs around his body. I cling to his broad shoulders like he’s a lifeboat and I’ve been stranded at sea for hours.

This time, he does everything I’ve asked of him and more. He feeds my soul in a way it hasn’t been fed in a long time, while also claiming it as his own. Kade moves through the room, holding me tightly in his arms. I feel safe and wanted before I remind myself that this is just sex. A one-night stand. Nothing more.

I pull on the strands of his hair, angling his head so that I can kiss him deeper. My tongue sweeps into Kade’s mouth, tangling with his before darting back out. I’m vaguely aware of the arm he had holding me against him falling away as he climbs up the stairs using the wall as a guide.

Whimpers of pleasure fall from my lips, and I wriggle against him, searching for some sort of relief from the pressure building between my legs. I need him inside me; I need him naked and his hands touching my body; I need everything he can give me.

When we reach the bedroom, he pulls back, our chests rising and falling in perfect synchronicity. Crossing the room, Kade sets me down on the bed, and I lean back on my hands, watching him as he stands above me.

Without breaking eye contact, I reach behind my neck and untie the halter neck of my dress. The material falls away, pooling into my lap and exposing my bare breasts to Kade. A fire that threatens to consume me blazes in his gaze. Spurred on by the sight, I push the dress further down, lifting my hips until it’s free enough for me to kick off.

The entire time, Kade watches, his throat working on each swallow and the bulge in his trousers growing more prominent. I shimmy up the bed, trying to be seductive and silently pleading with him to take off his clothes.

When I lie back, wearing nothing but the scrap of lingerie covering my pussy, he moves. I breathe a not-so-subtle sigh of relief, anticipation thrumming through me as he pulls the hem of his shirt free from his waistband, giving me a glimpse at the toned, tanned skin beneath.

The only sound in the room is our breathing; neither of us talks, and we don’t need to. So much is being said by us just looking at each other. He wants me, and I want him. This doesn’t have to mean more than what it is—just sex—but we both know it’s something.

Kade makes quick work of his shirt, leaving it to hang open before reaching for his belt buckle. I marvel at the six-pack of solid muscle now on show. Watching him just might be the most torturous thing. Like when you’ve given someone a gift you know they’ll love, but they’re making sure to not rip the wrapping. But so much worse. I want to tear his clothes off and take what I want from him.

With much more control than I feel, he pulls the black leather belt through the loops of his pants before dropping it to the floor with a clang. “Come here.”

He’s barely got the words out before I’m crawling to him at the end of the bed. Kneeling in front of him, I slide my hands inside his open shirt, a moaned sigh falling from my lips when our skin touches.

Kade places his large hands on either side of my face, angling my head before ducking down and capturing my mouth in a punishing kiss. It’s rough and hard, but speaks of his need for me. I open my mouth when he demands it, tangling my tongue with his as I silently beg for more.

Pulling away, but only enough to speak, Kade commands, “Undress me.”

Without hesitation, I run my hands up his chest, over the ridges of his abs and the light dusting of hair between his pecs, reveling at how smooth his skin is. I push his shirt from his shoulders, and it falls to the floor without a sound.

Holding his gaze, I suck in a shuddered breath, moving to the fastening of his pants. My fingers tremble as I pop the button, and Kade hisses through gritted teeth when my fingers brush over his hot, hard cock.

I’m aware of his clenched fists and the way he’s barely holding on to his restraint. It sends a thrill through me. He’s not as in control as I thought. I lean forward, dusting my lips over his chest as I push his pants down for him to kick off.