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He kisses my wrist again then lifts his face. And kisses my lips. It’s a peck, a little thing. A barely there kiss meant to offer comfort more than anything else.

The small press of one mouth to another before the tip of his tongue grazes like he’s asking permission for more. His eyes never leave mine.

I slowly open for him, tilting my head to the side in invitation.

Our tongues brush and a low moan works its way up my throat. His arms band around my waist, and he’s not pressing. Not really.

He’s holding me and giving me enough rope to hang myself if I so choose.

His kiss is light and sweet and there’s a question in every caress of his tongue. Do I want this?

I should push him away.

But I can’t move, my skin going tight and my nipples pebbling. His mouth comes down on mine a little harder, and I swallow back the low thrumming in my throat.

Aiden rolls his hips and suddenly I’m breathing hard, biting down on his lip and sucking at him.

Delicious heat curls my toes. I’m a second away from lifting my arms to grip his shoulders and feel his muscles for myself when Aiden breaks the kiss.

His eyes go black as he straightens, coming up for air and regaining his senses. He flashes me a smile without any meaning and limps off.

Wordless. Breathless.

My lips throb in time with my pulse and I feel iteverywhere.

The strongest desire to call him back and ask him to stay, to see where that small kiss takes us, overpowers logic.

Is that wrong?

He’s not my family.

He’s barely my friend, but Aiden is…friendly.

Confusion nearly splits my skull in two. What the hell just happened, and why is it enough to shake me to my soul?

Chapter 14

Gilli

Idrop into bed still tasting Aiden on my lips.

Why is it so simple to talk to him but it’s not so simple to kiss him?

Probably because there are strings attached to any involvement beyond a friendly conversation. He may not hate me the same way Soren does, but our family’s history with each other, and their connection… It makes it impossible for me to go any further than a stolen kiss.

He was quick to end it, anyway.

Aiden had the strength to walk away when I would have gone too far. When I would have opened for him if he’d only given me the green light.

I turn on my side and draw the sheet up beneath my chin.

My pussy throbs and I stretch a hand between my thighs, reaching for myself. Pleasure cascades from the first brush of my index finger against my clit.

Not smart. Not with the boys there so close, just on the other side of my bedroom door.

Eyes on the end game rather than the middle pieces, I remind myself, and diddle away.

Men are obstacles keeping me from the life I’ve beentrying to create for myself. Even the ones offering help who sound sincere are obstacles.