Page 155 of The Sweetest Devotion

“You kinda iced me out earlier like you were.”

“I’m just tired. This shit is a lot to deal with,” Keith threw out.

Lowering my guard, I padded over to him and tugged on his jacket as I peered up into his eyes. “I know, and I’m sorry. You’re my peace. The only thing keeping me together these days and I can’t lose that. It’ll never happen again, okay? I promise.”

Keith shook his head. “You can’t promise that.”

“I won’t let that happen again,” I reiterated to make my stance clear. Going forward, there’d be no more family dinners to fake an image I wasn’t interested in. They could drag me kicking and screaming down the aisle when the time came, but I wasn’t about toactlike I liked any of what was going on. I intended to be an icy bitch until the day I got the luxury to annul my father’s decision.

Unless of course he came to his senses, but that wasn’t looking too good.

With Keith silently looking down at me and my staring up at him, everything felt on the line. His handsome face was of anger and stone, and I wanted to make things right.

Very quickly, I stood on my toes and pressed my lips to his. Startled, he parted his lips and I dove in for more, loving the feel of finally kissing him.

Only, not too long into my triumph, Keith jerked back. “What was that?”

I shrugged in anoopsmanner. “I just…needed to know what that felt like.”

His head tilted to the side. “Have you been curious about kissin’ your boy?”

“Gross,” I let out.

Keith released a breath through his nose. And then he took a dangerous step closer. One leaving me backing up. He tracked this movement and smirked, his hooded eyes locked on me. “You know, I’ve been very good aboutyourboundaries. But you’ve never given a shit about mine.”

Another step closer. And another step back.

I turned, wondering if I could outrun him for space?—

My back was slapped against the wall of my living room and Keith’s hands planted on the wall beside my head, caging me in.

Keith came close and pressed his lips to my ear. “You’re a spoiled,selfish, fuckin’ brat.”

I reeled back. I had never been so insulted in my life. “I?—”

Keith ate my words. His lips claimed mine, causing my knees to buckle as a deep moan traveled from the pit of my belly.

Shit.

Keith’s body brushed against mine as he gave in and kissed me. His lips. Fuck. His lips were so soft, strong, and skilled. Aggressive, possessive, and determined. I had no choice but to submit. Keith was in control and I loved every second of it.

But I needed more.

Hastily, I reached out between us and began undoing his belt buckle. I wanted to kiss him with him inside me.Neededto kiss him while feeling him everywhere.

Except Keith stepped back, leaning away from my hands and breaking our kiss. Leaving me wet and aching.

“What?” My chest was rising and falling.

“I don’t have anything,” he let it be known as he ran his hand down his face. His eyes softened and the Keith I knew and wanted came to the surface. “I didn’t come here to dick you down, so I wasn’t thinking about grabbing anything.”

A condom. He didn’t bring a freaking condom?

I shoved him, annoyed as I walked off. “It’s…it’s okay. I’m on the pill.” Biting my lip, I began to search the area for a manila file folder I’d recently acquired. “I went to the doctor last week, and unfortunately for my fiancé I’m not carrying any contagious diseases. So, all is?—”

He grabbed me by the waistband of my leggings and pulled me back. “I can get you my medical records.” He looked into my eyes, appearing as serious as ever. “Are you sure about this?”

Slowly, I swallowed as I managed a nod. “Yes, I trust you.”

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