Page 43 of The Publicity Stunt

“I do.” I do, I do, I do.

“Really?” Her fingers have edged closer to mine, just brushing past the tips. My skin goes tight with adrenaline. My heart hammers against my chest like a fucking drum.

I swallow and wrap my clammy hand around her wrist. Her pulse is racing. Somehow that gives me the courage to go on. I bring her wrist to my chest, and then up toward my neck, basically giving her the green light to pull my mouth down to hers.

She shifts close, then closer, till her forehead is pressed against mine, her hot breath falling against my skin.

Fuck.

She tilts her chin up, and our noses brush past each other. I close my eyes as her hands move toward the back of my head, her fingers scratching against my skin, making me sigh in pleasure.

“April,” I whisper against her mouth.

She doesn’t say a word, just runs her fingertips through my hair.

My hand comes up to her waist and I’m pretty sure I’m not using my brain to think anymore. My palm glides up the side of her neck and hers move down my arms, to my torso. I lightly tug on her hair and her breathing hitches.

Next thing I know, her lips are on mine.

At first, it feels like a dream. A joke. But then I open my mouth and feel her tongue graze past my bottom lip, and I know it isn’t a joke. This is happening. April Moore is kissing me. And I’m fucking kissing her back.

I knot my hands in her hair and I pull her close, groaning into her mouth. She nips on my lip with her teeth, and I pull back for a second to look at her. “What are we doing?” I whisper.

“I’m not sure.”

There’s a moment. A glance. The only thing between us right now is anticipation. Heavy, intense anticipation.

My mouth comes crashing down on hers and I tighten my grip around her waist, urging her onto my lap. Her hands move everywhere—my shoulders, my neck, my hair. She moans into my mouth, the sound vibrating through my bones, goosebumps sprawling down my arms, all the way to my toes.

My mouth progresses to her jaw, then her neck, kissing every inch of her. Breathing her in. Etching this moment onto my brain. God, her skin is so fucking soft.

Her breathing gets heavier and she moves her hands down my chest toward the edge of my boxers.

Immediately, I’m hit with a jolt of panic that spurs me to break the kiss. Her eyes widen in horror. “Shit, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—”

“No, I’m just … I’m really close.”

Her chest deflates in relief. “Oh.”

God, this is so embarrassing.

“Do you want to stop, then?” Her cold fingers graze past my waistband, lazily advancing underneath my shirt.

I shake my head. She presses herself against me and it’s a fucking miracle that I don’t come right that instant. I grab her butt and pull her closer, instantly overwhelmed by the smell of her shampoo, the heat coming from her body, and the soft sighs of pleasure leaving her throat.

My hand cups her cheek and I lean in for another kiss.

The second my lips part, April slides her tongue inside and a low, growling noise forms in the back of my throat. God. I can’t stop kissing her. And she can’t stop kissing me. Her tongue slicks over mine and I stroke her cheek. More. I need more. I thread my fingers through her hair and pull her closer. Her breasts are now crushed against my chest, and I can feel the wild hammering of her heart. Her mouth dips down to my neck, and she starts planting a trail of open-mouthed kisses. Oh, sweet fucking hell.

“April …”

“Want to stop?” she rasps.

“Don’t you dare.”

She laughs, the sound finding a home in the very center of my chest, then her lips meet mine again.

“Hey, sis—whoa!”