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Seven

PIPPI'S FIRST KISSwas when she was fifteen. His name was Luke, and he had been a year older. He had been one of the most handsome boys in school, and she had felt like the luckiest girl alive when he asked her out.

They had seen each other almost every day that summer, and one night, she had snuck out of the house to meet with him. That was when they kissed, a clumsy but fervent meeting of lips under the moonlight that made their young bodies tremble against each other.

It was also her last kiss because the very next day, news had broken out about Luke and his family having left town, supposedly because of debts that Luke Sr. had been unable to pay.

Almost a decade had passed since then, but there were still nights when Pippi tossed and turned, thinking about that one kiss. There were times when she wondered,what if he hadn't left? What if she had tried looking for him? What if?There were times when she asked herself if perhaps she was still in love with Luke, just because she couldn't make herself forget his kiss.

Now, however, she knew.

Now, with Acheron's cool, firm lips expertly parting her own lips, it was just impossible for her not to know.

She remembered Luke's kiss because it was the only kiss she knew. But now, after this, that kiss would be nothing. Because, simply put, Acheron's kiss was everything and more that a woman could have ever dreamed of.

The thought of resisting didn't even enter her mind. There was no chance to. The moment his mouth took hers, the intoxicating taste of his lips incinerated every sensible thought in her mind. All that was left then was the purest of sensations, a helpless, heartless plea for the kiss to never, ever end.

Her toes curled inside her shoes as his lips teased and nibbled, every brush of his mouth wreaking havoc on her senses. And when his tongue finally delved in, and he was sucking her tongue the way he had sucked her finger, there was just nothing - oh God, there was nothing left of her that was not his.

She unthinkingly raised her arms, intending to hold on to Acheron as his kiss deepened. But the moment her fingers uncurled, her phone fell from her grip, and the loud, heavy thud it created as the phone hit the floor was akin to an inner fire alarm sounding off inside her head.

Acheron didn't make any move to stop Pippi from moving when she suddenly pushed away from him, the stricken look on her face explaining everything to him. It was too fast, too soon. He got it. Of course he got it, butgoddammit.That kiss was fucking hot - hotter than anything he could remember tasting - and he wanted more.

I don't know what came over me.She almost blurted the words out but caught herself in time. That was a lie, and she hated lying. She knew exactly what came over her. It was called lust, and she had let it rule her head.

"Pippi..."It was the first time for him to say her name, and she almost closed her eyes in despair. This was no good. Just no good. And yet - why did it feel so wonderful to hear him say her name?

He studied her with a brooding frown, his body still rigid with the desire he was struggling to keep in check. She stood before him, pale and trembling, rosy-cheeked and silken limbed, and the way her breathless panting softly mirrored his own harsh breathing made Acheron clench his fists.

He wanted her so fucking bad, and it didn't make any sense at all. She was nothing special.Nothing.And yet...

"I want you."

The abruptly spoken words made Pippi feel faint. She couldn't - she...just...she couldn't have heard him right.Could she?

"Did you hear what I said?" Acheron grated out. "I want you, Ms. Jones."