Page 13 of Eye of the Hurricane (Weathering Doves Harbor #2)

“You’ve thought this through?” he tests, and I nod. “What changed your mind? We had that conversation—What? Like a week ago?” It’s frustrating but also comforting that he doesn’t just take me at my word and go for it. He’s making sure that I’m sure and I can’t be mad at that. Not really, anyways.

“I talked to Luna and she pointed out that I’m doing all of the distracting parts of dating without any of the fun parts.

I figure if we’re going on all these fake dates, might as well enjoy the fruits of that labor.

” I shrug. His tongue darts out and wets his lips.

His eyes bounce from my eyes to my lips and back to my eyes.

That’s the exact moment I realize that we’re really going to do this.

“Come here,” he instructs. His voice is lower and quieter than normal. There’s a steadiness to it that makes me follow his instruction without hesitation. I slide in front of him, so close I’m nearly in his lap.

He reaches out and pops me up onto him. My heart is absolutely hammering against my chest. I can feel my pulse in my entire body.

He wraps a strong hand around the back of my neck and laces his fingers into the hair at the base of my head. His eyes catch me once more but this time they’re smoldering. I feel like my entire body is an electric current.

“Remind me to thank Luna,” he says lowly. It’s the last thing he says before he attaches his lips to mine.

The second our lips touch, everything changes. At least, that’s how it feels. The world tilts on its axis and my lungs are empty. It seems like there’s not a drop of oxygen left in the room.

His lips are warm and soft, and his kiss is demanding in all the right ways. I’m melted in his hands and he has no idea. It feels natural, like I was made to kiss him.

His tongue takes a swipe at my bottom lip and I part my lips instinctually.

The second it crosses the barrier into my mouth, a moan slips out and I pull away.

My eyes are wide and my cheeks are burning red.

My chest is heaving and I know I must look flustered.

Ares, on the other hand, looks confused.

“What’s wrong? You pulled away,” he questions.

What’s the best way to say ‘ I’m embarrassed because I just moaned in your mouth over a simple kiss? Oh! and I did it because I’m a big ol’ virgin ’? There isn’t a best way. So I go the route of pretending it didn’t happen. Surely I can play this off.

“Just needed a second,” I assure him. He doesn’t look like he fully believes me but he doesn’t protest when I plant my lips back on his.

I make a mental note of matching his speed and doing what he’s doing. Our tongues slide against each other. As I’m finding a pace to keep, he pulls away, dropping sloppy kisses along my jaw and neck.

“What do you like, Kat?” Ares whispers in my ear. It sends goosebumps across my entire body.

“What do you mean?” I ask. It’s a shock to hear how breathless and needy I sound. He pulls back from my neck, scanning his eyes over my face and landing on my lips.

“You like to be in control? Or is the bedroom where you let loose? Do you like it soft, or do you want it rough? Tell me what you need, honey.” I don’t know. I don’t know and I can’t pretend to know because what if I hate it?

Well, the idea of keeping my secret was fun while it lasted. I know now I have to tell him.

“I don’t know,” I admit, avoiding his eyes.

“What do you mean you don’t know?”

“I—I’ve never… you know. I’m a virgin,” I admit. His ey es go wide.

“What?” He looks like he’s seen a ghost.

“For the record though, I don’t really agree with the concept of virginity and losing something when you have sex for the first time.” I’m rambling now, but he cracks a smile and lets out a low chuckle.

“Of course, you don’t,” he laughs. I pinch my brows together.

“You’re laughing at me.” I pout.

“I’m laughing that you have big opinions on virginity as a concept. That’s all, promise.”

“You’re not going to have sex with me now, are you?” I huff, dropping my forehead to his chest.

“What have you done?” he prods, avoiding my question.

“That was my first kiss,” I admit, covering my mouth with my fingertips. I can feel blush scorching my cheeks. Although, I’ve been blushing pretty much all night.

“Hell of a first kiss, hm?” I can’t help but smile.

“Yeah, it was alright,” I tease.

“Mhm, you moaned in my mouth. I bet if I slipped my hand under that dress, you’d be soaking wet.” He raises a brow at me. He’s not wrong.

“Why don’t you do it and find out?” I push.

“I’m not touching you tonight.”

“You don’t want me?” I ask. I hear how desperate it sounds as soon as the words are out of my mouth and I hate it.

He doesn’t say a word, he just grabs my hand and slips it between us. He brushes it against his sweatpants and he’s hard as a rock.

“So yes, Kat. I want you. Have for a long time. But we’re going to take it slow because that’s what you deserve. ”

“Can we still kiss?” I ask, holding his jaw with one of my hands.

“Yeah, honey, we can kiss.” I waste no time attaching our lips again.