Page 21 of Tempting the President (Oro Nero MC)

Dear Ashton,

I’m sorry for deliberately trying to make you cry before.

Well, okay, I’m not really. It’s just that you’re so cute when you cry, you know? That’s all it was. Because you were soooo cute. And you are still and will always be the cutest baby brother in the whole world.

Love, Your Big Sis

“TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED . All of it.”

After Bobby had kicked us out of the club’s office, Kellion had immediately taken me to the closest place with a chair and a table. In this case, that was the cafeteria.

Like the rest of the university, the cafeteria was elegantly designed, resembling a hotel lobby more than anything else.

Supposedly, it was to give students an environment most conducive to learning, but knowing how the Christopoulos were, I had a feeling it was really just because the Greek family who owned the university didn’t care to let their heirs have lessons in any place that was less than luxurious.

Even though we occupied one of the tables at the back, all eyes were still on us. Reminded yet again of how we were everyone’s focus, I tried getting off Kellion’s lap, but he shook his head. “Sorry, terataki, but I don’t think I’m going to let you go anytime soon.”

I frowned at him in exasperation. Be serious.

His lips twisted. “I feel like if I do, you might change your mind about me and stop talking to me.”

My chest tightened at his words. God. Who knew bikers as stubborn and as silly as Kellion Argyros actually existed? It had to be a crime. How could someone as hot as he was believe that a girl would be capable of resisting him? We could try but in the end, the result was inevitable.

Whoever Kellion wanted, he would have.

“Why won’t you tell me what happened?”

I rolled my eyes.

He frowned. “Is it...embarrassing?”

Hallelujah. He got it.

His lips twitched at my exaggerated expression of relief. “You could have just said it, too.”

I shrugged. I’m not the one in need of answers here.

“How embarrassing?”

My cheeks turned red.

Kellion’s eyes gleamed, which only made my cheeks turn even redder. “ That embarrassing?” His eyes lowered, resting on my lips. He asked in a low, husky murmur, “Did I kiss you?”

I wetted my lips, unable to help it. And then slowly, I nodded.

Kellion suddenly groaned, startling me. And then I frowned and scribbled on my board. AM I TOO HEAVY?

Kellion shook his head. “That’s not why I’m groaning, terataki .” He shifted me on his lap. “Do you understand now?”

Since I now felt something growing harder and hotter right under my butt, I could definitely say ‘yes’. I understood quite well.

He curled a lock of my hair around his index finger. “I’m sorry, though.”

I cocked my head to the side.

“When I drink too much, I forget. And I never remember.” His tone became flat. “Which means I will never be able to remember our first kiss.”

Ah.

The thought did sadden me, but only for a second. In a way, I was glad that Kellion had his own imperfections, however selfish that sounded. At least this way, it made him feel less... unreachable.

I wrote on my board again. IT’S OKAY.

“Of course you’d say that.”

BECAUSE IT ONLY MEANS WE CAN HAVE TWO ‘FIRST’ KISSES.

His eyes widened.

Gaaah.

Did I really just write that?

Before I could convince myself I had just dreamt being that foolish, Kellion was once again cupping my face. When our eyes met, I saw that he was smiling, a dazzling and wicked one that had my heart skipping more than a beat.

“You are absolutely right.” It was the only warning I had before we had our second first kiss.

It was everything I imagined – and more. Kellion Argyros, when under the influence of liquor, was impossibly tender and heartbreakingly sweet. But a fully sober, completely conscious Kellion?

In one word: irresistible.

Just one touch of his lips and he made me feel all kinds of things. One kiss and he made me forget we were in a public place, made me proud that he was attracted to me. Seductive. Poignant. Passionate. Every word that could be used to describe a toe-curling kiss? I felt all of them.

When he lifted his head, I was once again dazed and breathless. He was breathing almost as hard, and his eyes were fierce with need. “Did we kiss like that?”

Somehow, his question had my fingers curling against his chest.

It seemed enough of an answer for him because he was speaking again. “Did I force you?”

I shook my head vehemently.

“You don’t have to lie.”

I shook my head more firmly.

His body relaxed under me. “Good.” His voice dipped low again, something I knew by now meant I was in danger of—-

“Did I touch you?”

My cheeks flamed.

—- that .

I glared at him. Kellion!

He smirked. “I did, didn’t I?” He bent close, nibbling my lip. “You probably didn’t notice, but I always had to control myself when I was around you.” A soft chuckle escaped him at my doubtful look. “No joke. Every fucking time.”

The innuendo had me wetting my lips.

Kellion groaned. “Don’t do that.” He bit my lip after.

I was tempted to groan back. If that was a punishment, I was half-inclined to wet my lips again.

“Don’t look at me like that either.” Another bite.

If he really meant that, then I could never look at him anymore.

Kellion was suddenly lifting me off his lap. When he placed me on the chair beside him, I tried not to be hurt.

“Don’t get me wrong, baby.”

I shivered at the endearment. It was the first time he had called me that, and it sounded...good.

“I want you more so than ever, but I don’t want to rush it. And right now, I’m too fucking close to taking you back to my room and making you mine.”

My eyes were wide by the time he was done talking.

“Do you want that?”

Slowly, I shook my head.

His smile was strained. “Thought so.” He started playing with my hair again, and I tried not to shiver every time his fingers unintentionally brushed against the sensitive skin of my nape.

His mouth was suddenly next to my ear, his voice husky as he asked, “Where else did I touch you?”

I shrugged, unable to meet his eyes.

His chuckle tickled my ears. “Tell me or I’ll start touching you until you give me a clue.”

Oh.

I quickly grabbed my phone. What I was about to say, I definitely didn’t want anyone to read.

I typed one word. Chest.

His eyes gleamed at my answer. “You mean your brea—-”

Panicking at the thought that someone might hear him, I covered his mouth, not wanting him to talk. But then his tongue started to move against my hand, and I became just as worried about making a sound.

I begged him with my eyes. Please don’t say a word.

He nodded obediently.

Slowly, I released his mouth and he immediately spoke. “Aria?”

Aaaargh .

If it turned out that he lied to me—-

“Say something to me.” It was that voice again. A plea. A temptation. Kellion at his proudest and most vulnerable.

My chest tightened. Did he ever show this side to anyone else?

I...hoped not.

I whispered, “I really...want...to...make you...smile.” Slowly, it was getting easier to talk. Because of him.

Something flickered in his eyes, too fast for me to understand what it was. All I knew was that it was the part of him that was secret and vulnerable, the part that made me want to protect him the way I hadn’t been able to protect Ashton.

He said gravely, “You know what I want?”

I shook my head.

“I really want to make you...come.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. The sound was rusty, and it hurt my throat but the pain was worth it when I saw how my laugh had made Kellion smile.

I told him, “I’m...serious.”

“I’m serious, too.”

“Be very...very...scared,” I warned him even as I did my best not to smile.

I expected him to return the warning, but instead his smile faded. “No, baby. You’re the one who should be scared. Because I have a feeling...” He swallowed. “No matter what I do, I’ll end up making you cry.”