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I place my hand on her knee again, meeting her eyes. “I want to. What would you like?”
A grin tugs at her lips. “Not whiskey.”
I laugh, my heart fluttering at the memory of last Friday.
“Got it. Not whiskey, not sweet. Gin and tonic?”
“Perfect. Thank you.”
“One gin and tonic, coming right up.”
She leans back, relaxing into the sofa, and a wave of relief washes over me.
As I walk up to the bar, the music from the speakers fades and a singer in a black floor-length gown steps onto the stage, claiming the room with an elegant poise.
I return with the drink, handing it to Lila before slipping my arm back around her. She melts against me, nestling closer in a move that sends a comforting warmth radiating through my chest.
The singer’s gentle voice fills the room. “Good evening, and welcome to The Midnight Rose. I’m Amy, and I’ll be your entertainment for this evening. So sit back, snuggle in, and enjoy.”
I squeeze Lila’s hand as the first notes of a sultry melody drift through the air.
She shifts, turning her face toward mine. Her lips are parted, too close to resist.
Her fingers skim down my chest, trailing heat as they reach my waist.
My hand caresses her cheek, tilting her chin up to me as I lean in, closing the distance between us.
Her whole body responds - fingers digging into my side, pulling me closer as my hands trace the curve of her back before settling on her thigh. Her skin is fire beneath my touch.
I toy with the hem of her dress, aching to slide my hand under it.
Her tongue brushes softly against mine, and the longing I’ve buried for the past two years ignites into wildfire – hot, urgent, and all-consuming. It’s not just desire anymore; it’s need, raw and relentless, threatening to tear me apart from the inside out.
I deepen the kiss, tugging gently at her lower lip, savouring the taste of her raspberry lip gloss, and every sleepless night I’ve spent imagining this.
When our lips part, her breath is ragged, the warmth lingering on my skin as a bead of sweat trickles down my back.
And all I can think is – this isn’t just lust.
This is something else.
Something I never saw coming, and I have no chance of stopping it.
Chapter 21
Lila
Adrenaline surges through me like lightning, the energy consuming every thought in my mind that isn’t tearing his clothes off. The strength of Marcus’s grip on my waist is intoxicating, and the need to feel his body on top of mine is becoming unbearable.
I pull back, my mouth hanging open as I try to catch my breath.
Holy fuck.
I thought he was gorgeous before, but right now, Marcus looks more irresistible than ever. The darkness of his beard illuminates his perfect white teeth as he smiles, a slight shimmer of my gloss smudged across his lips.
“Can we get out of here?” I whisper in his ear, placing my hand on his inner thigh. A devilish glint flashes across his eyes. He kisses me again, then stands, pulling me to my feet with unexpected urgency.
“Let’s go.” His voice is low and purposeful. We put on our coats and scurry towards the door, laughing as a huge smile takes over my face.