Page 96 of Control Freak

Shiloh craned his head back, trying to fix his eyes on where I pointed. “Maybe?”

I pulled out my phone and opened a stargazing app, then handed it to him to raise up.

“Oh, there. I see.” He smiled at me, eyes bright. “What other stars do you see?”

“The brightest one is right in front of me,” I murmured.

His cheeks were pink from the cold, his smile so sincere, and a wave of impulse overtook me.

It felt as if I were standing in the open doorway of an airplane, about to jump out. The ground was rushing up at me, scary and dangerous, but I wanted to experience the elation of flying.

“Holden?” Shiloh asked, aware of my quiet.

I let myself fall…and my lips met his in a light brush.

Shiloh gasped, surprised, and I drew back, heart pounding. I took a minute to check in. My palms were sweaty, my pulse racing, but…it wasn’t nerves. At least, not the bad kind that screamed danger and get away. This was the thrill of adrenaline.

“Sorry, I should have asked.”

“You don’t have to ask,” he breathed. “If you want to kiss me again, then?—”

I returned my mouth to his, suddenly starving for the kiss. It wasn’t affecting me the same as touch. Maybe because my touch aversion stemmed from pain that came from hands. I’d never gotten far enough with someone to realize that. I’d kissed before—but only when forcing all the other touch that triggered me alongside it.

This was just lips. Lips and tongue and Shiloh’s breath.

It was still so close, so intimate, and I could never do it with a stranger. But with Shiloh? His mouth was hot, his tongue sweet from the sangria, and I liked it.

No, Ilovedit.

I kissed him until the wind threatened to throw us both over. Shiloh reached for me on reflex, and I caught his hand before he could grab my neck.

My nerves jangled at the close call, and I pulled back.

“Sorry!” Shiloh raised a hand to his puffy lips. “Was it the tongue? I knew that was too much?—”

“I liked that,” I rasped. “A lot.” I motioned to my neck. “You almost touched?—”

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize. You just blew my mind, and I stopped thinking.”

“It’s okay.”

“Are you sure? If I ruined our first kiss, I’ll never forgive myself.”

I chuckled. “You didn’t ruin anything, Shy. That was everything I wanted. More than I ever expected.” I paused. “I hope you liked that kiss. I’ve not had a lot of experience.”

“Are you kidding? I could kiss you forever.”

I dipped my head until our lips were close once more. “We’ll have to practice a lot more, then. Just…no touching. Can you do that for me?”

His eyes met mine, full of heat and affection. “I can do anything for you.”

Arousal flashed through me at his easy capitulation. I was in control, just the way I liked it.

My mouth captured his once more, and the pleasure of kissing him outshone even the brightest star in the sky.

CHAPTER 24

Shiloh