Page 137 of The Curse Trilogy

“Get your damn closure and come back to me then,” he seduces, and then his lips take mine despite my objections.

His touch feels so good now that it has been so long since I felt anyone desiring me. I withdraw once more while rolling my eyes, and he takes my hand in his.

“You can help me find my new place, and then you can tell me about this party we’re going to,” he murmurs very cockily. “You know I love a good party. Perhaps we’ll get you a little tipsy, and then you can stop acting so uptight.”

I laugh for numerous reasons in his flawed planning, and then I lean against him as his arm wraps around my shoulders.

“I know you love parties, but there’s not going to be any alcohol.”

“No booze? What the hell kind of dud party is this?” he grumbles.

“An eighteen-year-old girl’s birthday party,” I giggle out, and he rolls his eyes while letting an embarrassed grin spread over his face.

“Wow. I suppose getting you tipsy might be a little inappropriate then. We can just do that at the after party at my new place. We’ll call it a house-warming party,” he smolders, and I roll my eyes again.

“I just told you I can’t-”

“I just transferred to the smallest compound in the United to be with you. Do you really think I give a damn how hard you fight me? I’m going to be with you. Like I said, get your closure. There’s nothing stopping us from having fun in the meantime.”

His hand grabs my ass, and he jerks my hips to meet his while we’re standing on the staircase. The cooling scent of his breath sends those chills down my body.

“Fire and ice, baby. You know what we can do, and there’s so many things I’ve been wanting to do to you.”

I shiver slightly from his tantalizing promise, and suddenly I feel the wall of the stairwell against my back as my legs wrap around his waist. His lips devour mine, and I feel the throbbing starting.

“Stop,” I mutter, and then I grip his hair when he slams me into the other side of the wall.

His hips grind into mine, and I’m starting to worry we’re about to fuck right here and now. I can’t though. I’m still in love with Hale - even though the love I have for Brazen still lingers as well.

“Brazen, please stop. I’m not ready,” I whimper while forcing him back.

He presses his forehead against mine, and his trembling breath still pants its refreshing flow against my heated skin.

“I understand. I’m not done trying yet. Show me to my place, please. It’s supposed to be in the east quadrant.”

His smile is deviously adorable, and I let him hold my hand as I read the paper with his apartment number. I roll my eyes yet again when I see how close his place is to mine.

“What?” he chuckles out.

“You’re literally two doors down and across the hall from me. Unbelievable.”

“Perfect,” he seduces. “That means I’ll have plenty of opportunities to run into my new neighbor.

“So Clay told you where I was? I’m surprised you bothered to ask,” I say to change the subject.

“Actually, I didn’t have to. He called me when I was running through the list of United compounds trying to find out who to call first, and he told me you were here. I was a little surprised, but then he also told me he’d approve my transfer right away if I wanted to come join you. I was hoping you put him up to it,” he murmurs expectantly.

“I didn’t, but I’m glad you’re here. It’s nice to see a familiar face, but that doesn’t mean we’re going to start fucking,” I crudely rattle out, and he starts laughing wildly.

“Not yet maybe, but don’t rule it out all together. I can be rather persuasive.”

I stifle my girly grin, and we head down the east corridor so I can show him his room.

“Where’s all your stuff?” I muse.

“I had it brought over last week. I’m surprised you didn’t notice.”

“I’ve been swamped with interrogations here. I’ve barely spent any time in my own place. Today is the first slow day we’ve had.”