Page 51 of Blood in the Water

He hesitated only a moment before his hands snaked around my waist, and he pulled me tightly against him. I inhaled a huge breath, filling my nose with his scent. Instantly, the tension flooded from my body.

“I hate fighting,” I whispered into the crook of his neck. “I’m sorry. Please don’t leave me to face this alone.”

“I know. I won’t,” he murmured while something soft brushed lightly against my neck. Were those his lips?

“Do you forgive me?”

More soft touches fluttered up the column of my neck. My breath hitched when I realized theywerehis lips. Fuck they felt so good. My eyes fluttered closed.

“Mmhmm,” he mumbled as his lips trailed farther up. At first, they were soft brushes and tender touches I was afraid of disrupting with even the slightest movement. Cas was kissing me. Not just a protective, gentle comfort kiss on my forehead or my hair. He waskissing my neck. And every single touch was like embers catching fire on my skin.

My breath came faster, unable to stay controlled as the trail of fire grew higher and hotter. Wetness pooled in my core. I squeezed my legs together to keep from latching them around his waist.

A soft, breathy moan escaped my lips as he reached my jaw, and he paused. His head jerked slightly back, eyes locking on mine. For a few moments, he only stared, unsure.

“You’re sending another very conflicting message, Caspian,” I whispered, only a hair’s breadth away from his lips. My skin tingled with phantom kisses, a tantalizing ghost of a promise I wanted to explore further. His eyes flashed dark and heady, more warring emotions battling across his face.

He crashed his lips against mine.

His hands moved up the sides of my body, thumbs rubbing over the peaks of my nipples while I tightened my grip around his neck.

“Fuck, princess,” he mumbled against my lips as his hands cupped my breasts. “You’re so beautiful. So fucking perfect.”

I had only been kissed a few times in the past, only made out once or twice. Truth be told, I was not that experienced in the realm of romance. Being infatuated with one of my best friends killed the mood for anyone else. Then, having a constant bodyguard around who continually interrupted rightwhen things got good meant I had not had much time to become acquainted with men’s mouths.

Sure, I had explored plenty with my own body. I had my fair share of toys in my old bedside drawer, so I wasn’t timid when it came down to it. I thought I knew what I wanted and what I liked.

And this? Cas waseverythingthat I liked.

Equal parts passion and tenderness, the kiss was like a wildfire consuming a dry field, a rushing and powerful energy that overcame everything in its path. Unquenchable. He was the fire, I was the fuel, and we went up in flames together. It was everything we’d been dancing around for days.

I almost melted when his tongue teased against the seam of my lips. He lightly nipped, and I couldn’t stop the groan that escaped my mouth. The heat between my legs had already grown to a demanding urge, something he’d need to address if this went any farther.

But he broke the kiss and pulled back to stare at me.

I had never seen Cas flushed before. I had never seen that pink tinge quite so prominent on his cheeks or the shyness in his blazing eyes. My heart clenched as I tried to catch my breath.

“Umm,” he whispered, eyes flicking back and forth between mine. The vulnerability that was so blatant on his face suddenly vanished. Then he dropped me and pulled away, leaving my arms cold and devoid of his warmth. “I—uh. I’m… Colin is waiting. Be safe, princess. Okay?”

I nodded, at a complete loss for words, still trying to catch my breath. He glanced my way again before quietly slipping out the door and locking it behind him, all within a few moments.

I watched that door for probably five minutes before I finally moved.

Cas had kissed me, and it waseverythingI had imagined. How did I feel about that? How didhefeel about that?

What did it mean for us?

What thefuckjust happened?

The kiss lasted only a few moments, but I buzzed for long after he left. Was that a heat-of-the-moment thing? Did it hint at the growing feelings between us? What was I supposed to do either way? It was the only thing I could think about for the rest of the day until a knock at the door.

A Shadow had come to visit.

I steeled myself, tried to push the kiss from my head, and pulled the door open.

19

CIEL