Page 115 of Little Sunshine

“Put me down right now, or I’ll scream.”

His rough chuckle was edged with barbed wire. “I hope you do.”

In a last-ditch effort, I played possum. I forced my body to go slack as I waited for an opening. When he stepped inside, I suddenly pushed off.

And got exactly nowhere.

“Will you please put me down?” I tried nicely.

No response.

I growled my frustration. “This isn’t cool.”

Nothing.

“I’m allowed to leave.”

More nothing.

The reality of the scene I’d made, that his boss’ wife had witnessed it, and that I was literally being carried through a crowded public place sank in. Knowing I was exactly who I vowed to never become made my head swim worse than the upside-down angle. “I want to leave.”

The loudest nothing I’d ever heard.

That time when I went limp, it wasn’t an act. It was with resignation while I waited to see what would happen.

After a minute, Ash paused and then took a few steps. I pushed my hair from my face to see we were in the elevator, but I was too disoriented to know which direction it was headed.

Up to the penthouse or down to the garage.

Regret tangled my insides. For what I’d done. For who I was.

For what could’ve been.

There was a soft whoosh as the doors slid open. Ash barely stepped out before my world flipped right side up. I didn’t have the chance to acclimate before my back was pressed to the wall, and Ash was on me.

His mouth.

His hands.

His body as it pinned me in place.

Ash is kissing me. He’s kissing me.

Holy shit.

Why is Ash kissing me?

Despite my hurt and confusion, I couldn’t resist him. It was too much. Too tempting. Too demanding. I was about to give in, but apparently, I took too long.

Like earlier, Ash’s tattooed hand gripped my chin and his fingertips dug into my cheeks, forcing my lips to part. He took the access he’d given himself. His tongue plunged in to taste and dominate.

Own.

The mental whiplash was almost as disorienting as the physical.

Moments before, I’d been sure he didn’t want me. I’d been sure I didn’t want him anymore. But the way he touched me—like he couldn’t get close enough—was unbelievable.

Literally.

---