Page 88 of Shadowed Obsession

I turn toward him with an incredulous look that reads,bullshit.

“I have never been in a situation like this, Deirdre. You make me feel so out of control, and I think you know what I mean.”

I know exactly what he means.

“I don’t think rationally when it comes to you, and that scares the shit out of me. I need my job. My family counts on me to provide, and whatever this is,” he says, gesturing between us, “jeopardizes that. I know the potential outcomes, but I’m willing to risk them if you are. But if I’m reading this entirely wrong, please stop me before I make an even bigger fool of myself?”

“Scar, you’re not reading anything wrong. I think we both have our reasons, but mine grow weaker every day. I don’t have the best of luck with dating, especially not with men in the life, okay?” I admit, taking his hand. “When I get involved with people, I put them in danger, and I don’t mean to. You should know that before you agree to trying this with me.”

He can still back out, and I wouldn’t even be mad at him.

“I’m going to give you all the power here. Everything you’d need to hurt me, because you should feel safe,” he says, removing his balaclava. Once it’s completely off, I stare at him, not even blinking.

My breath catches in my throat, and I study him closely, taking in every inch of his face. His full beard, dark curls, and the scar through his lip.

It’s the most beautiful face I’ve ever seen. This is him.

“Your name,” I blurt. Not a question or a statement, but I need to know it.

“While I don’t mind you calling me Scar, my name is César. My birthday is July thirteenth, and I’m twenty-nine. I’m a finder, and that’s what I meant when I said it’s my job to know things.”

“And what do you know about me?” I tease.

“Everything I could learn without asking.”

“What do you wish you knew?"

“What you taste like," he says with desire in his eyes.

I’m aware I shouldn’t let him get too close, still my hand hovers over his flame in test. Is it possible to both fear and desire someone?

To wonder how far this dance could go? Because I crave him, unmasked and bare. A vulnerability reserved for me only. I’d take it to my grave.

I love my family, but what they don’t know simply won’t hurt them. Our empire was built on secrets. Secrets held in good taste. So, what’s one more?

He leans over the center console, my gaze drops to his full lips, and time halts between us. I match the distance, hovering my lips over his.

“César?”

“Yes?”

“Kiss me,” I whisper.

And he does. Calloused hands cradle both sides of my face as he devours me. His kisses are delicately rough, hungry, and desperate. He swipes his tongue at my bottom lip, a power struggle I succumb to as I moan into his mouth.

We break away to catch our breath, and the need in his eyes sends a shiver through me.

“I need you, now,” I pant, crawling over the center console to straddle his lap.

He gulps. “Doe, if you let me touch you?—”

“Shh,” I say, cutting him off, guiding his hands to my dripping core.

“Fuuucckk,” he breathes as he palms me through my panties.

I grind into his large hand, and nip at his neck as need courses through me.

I’ve never wanted anything so badly.

---