Page 43 of Hard Rock Muse

13

Iheld my breath, anticipating.

Would this be a heated, passionate kiss? Would it be soft, sweet and tender? Or would it be rough and wild, unrestrained?

As Julian’s lips descended on mine, the world melted away.

The kiss was none of those things. It was purely, utterly Julian.

Blissful. Caring. Full of adoration.

His lips grazed mine, as soft as a feather at first, then turning firmer, insistent. His teeth closed around my bottom lip and bit lightly, sending a thrill down my spine. He swiped his tongue along the seam of my lips, asking for entrance. I opened to him, deepening the kiss as we stroked and flicked and played.

Our mouths moved together, every brush and nip a revelation.

Even as we kissed, my brain screamed at me.

What the hell do you think you’re doing?

Kissing my ex-boyfriend, apparently.

Was I an idiot for giving into this? Was I making a mistake? Was I going to regret it?

The answer was probably yes to all those questions.

Maybe Julian wasn’t in love with his best friend, but that didn’t change things. He still left me. Left the band. Abandoned me, leaving me alone and vulnerable, the perfect combination for Keith to swoop in and pick up the pieces.

I shied away from that thought. It wasn’t Julian’s fault Keith had taken advantage of me. It was solely my fault for falling for his lies, for not seeing what he was sooner.

Julian’s hands wandered from my arms and I returned my attention to his touch. He trailed along my sides, running up and down from my hips to my rib cage. His thumbs were an inch away from the underside of my breasts. He traced a line along the curve, not quite touching, but still sending shivers through me. I moaned low in my throat.

“Fuck, Ev,” Julian groaned into my mouth. “I missed those sounds of yours.”

He latched on to my throat with his lips and teeth. I fisted the hair at the back of his head and tugged him closer, wanting more.

“Touch me,” I gasped.

He brought his hands back up to cup me over my shirt, my cotton bra a thin barrier. He used his thumbs to rub circles around my nipples, turning them stiff and throbbing.

I tilted my hips to press against his, grinding down without thinking. He growled, wrapped his arms around me, and with one swift motion picked me up and perched me on the edge of the kitchen table.

I spread my legs for him to stand between them, squeezing his hips with my thighs. He bucked against me, pressing again my core. I moaned again and let my head tip back.

He took the opportunity to pepper my throat and collarbone with kisses and soft bites. My breathing sped up, my insides turning hot and liquid.

Julian’s kisses, his lips, his touch, was so familiar. He still lit my body on fire, still made my heart race and glow.

Julian pulled away with one last sucking kiss.

“I was a fucking idiot for walking away,” he murmured into my neck, blowing cool air against my skin.

My chest clenched, not wanting to be reminded of the past. I wanted to pretend the last few years hadn’t happened. Wanted to pretend we were still together. Wanted to pretend he’d never broken my heart.

I grabbed the hem of my shirt and tossed it over my head. His eyes burned into me as he took in the sight. I reached for his shirt and tugged at it frantically. He understood my silent plea and quickly rid himself of it.

I placed my hands on his toned chest, enjoying the feel of those shifting muscles under my fingers. I pressed a kiss to the center of his chest and inhaled deeply, taking in that whisky-cinnamon scent.

I trailed my fingers down his torso to the buckle of his jeans. I saw him visibly swallow. I met his dark gaze.