Page 77 of Vicious Little Snakes

“We’re so ruined,” she breathes out.

“I know.”

Even with my answer, I stay as I am, holding on to her for dear life. I feel her hands wrap around the back of my neck.

“Too maimed.”

“I know.”

She’s right. Too much has happened to ever fix. There are too many unsaid sorrys for our unholy deeds, but I still can’t seem to remember how to fucking stand. Let alone walk away.

She brushes her fingertips over my brow, and I ask the only thought in my mind, “Just give me tonight, Carebear. Let me have you, just for tonight.”

Even though I don’t deserve you.

We’re frozen, moonlight dusting the room, bathing our bodies in just enough anonymity to make us brave. Caroline’s hands slide down over my shoulders, leaving me and reach back behind herself.

The click of the eyehook cracks the silence, and I feel drunk. Caroline opens a second button, and I blink before replacing her hands with mine, stilling them as her arms slip down by her sides.

Her lips part as I unhook her one button at a time, all the way down her back, stopping right above her ass. My hands splay against her skin, relishing the feel of her, as I run them up her back, fanning my palms over her shoulder blades, slowly dragging the material away. I’m holding my breath, scared she’ll run away.

The black lace material around her shoulders falls away, exposing more of her milky skin, calling for my lips as her chest rises and falls faster. Caroline’s tongue darts out over her bottom lip, drawing it in between her teeth as she stares down at me.

I take her hand, bringing her fingers to my lips, kissing each one before tugging the sleeve from her arm and repeating it on the other side. The dress pools at her waist, leaving her standing in a black strapless bra.

“You’re the most beautiful creature I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

My palms swallow her ribs as I lean forward, pressing my lips to the skin just below the middle of her bra, savoring it and letting myself linger as my heart starts beating again. I can’t help myself. I want more. So I draw her in closer, kissing her again in that spot, never wanting to stop. Caroline’s hands run over my head, skimming her nails over my scalp as she lets out a small whimper.

The sound is the most erotic thing I’ve ever heard. I raise my hand, tearing the cup of her bra down, covering my mouth over her pert nipple, sucking and running my tongue over the pebbled surface.

I can’t stop myself—I’m all in.

“Liam,” she breathes, dropping her head back as I run my lips over the perfect surface of her body to the other breast. “This feels like goodbye.”

My fingers are clawing at her, demanding her body come closer because I know she’s right. This is goodbye. It’s the one thing I can give her to protect her heart. Caroline’s palms cradle my face, forcing me to look up at her as her mouth crashes down on mine.

This kiss is fevered and insistent. Caroline’s lips slide between mine as our mouths open and close around each other, heads tilting and pressing deeper. I want her, and it’s all I know anymore.

“I want you. Inside of me,” Caroline whispers into my mouth.

The tulle bottom of her dress bunches as I lift it, dragging it up her legs, guiding her onto my lap. She wraps her arms around my neck, mouth never leaving mine, kissing me back with the same desperation I feel. Her hands drop down, fighting with the fabric and lace of her dress, trying to unbutton my pants.

“Fuck,” I growl against her lips.

I stand, knocking the chair over, taking her with me, with an arm around her waist. I’m holding her up as I jerk the dress down, taking her panties with it. Fabric rips and tears as I discard the now worthless couture. Caroline’s legs wrap around me as I carry her over to her bed, dropping us down, kissing with the kind of indulgence for those hoping to die in one another.

I suck her bottom lip between mine before I stand and pull the end of my bow tie, letting it fall open. Her hands run up her legs, drawing my eyes to the small bandage on Caroline’s hip, and my heart breaks again.

“Is that one because of me?”

“No. Me,” she rushes out.

Caroline comes to her knees on the bed, running her hands under the shoulders of my jacket, slipping it from my body. It hits the floor as she begins to unbutton my dress shirt.

We don’t speak because there’s nothing left to say.

She methodically unbuttons the black circles, her fingers brushing against my bare chest hidden underneath, making my dick strain. She tugs at my shirt, untucking it, pushing it open, and leans forward. Her lips touch my chest, and I suck in a breath, head dropping back, overwhelmed by the feeling of Caroline kissing me.