Page 162 of Modern Romance June 2025 1-4

‘Oh, I definitely can. But, most of all, it’s in the way your body keeps trying to move closer to mine.’

It was only then that Jasmine realised just how far forward she was leaning. His face was inches from hers. ‘So does yours.’

‘I never denied it,’ he retorted. His low voice sent goose bumps skittering across her skin.

Jasmine could barely think. Breathing his air was intoxicating. If she wanted to forget everything for a night, then meeting Emilio was the answer to her prayer. In that moment she could scarcely remember why she was even at the club. But she could remember how to be bold. ‘So, what do you want to do about it?’

‘I want to kiss you,’ Emilio said, cupping her cheek. He ran his thumb lightly over her lips, smearing her lipstick on his skin. ‘I want to kiss you until you forget where you are and what you’re called. I want to kiss you until you’re completely consumed by me and, then I want to kiss you some more, until you’re writhing and panting and wanting.’

And that was when Jasmine threw caution to the wind. She wanted exactly what he was offering. She wasn’t considering tomorrow. She wanted to forget today. ‘So then, what are you waiting for?’

‘The word.’

‘Kiss me.’

‘Those are two words. And not what I’m looking for.’

‘Please.’

‘There you go.’

She expected him to crush his lips to hers in violent passion, because that was exactly what stirred within her. Instead, he took her mouth in a slow, deliberate dance, allowing her to feel every brush and glide of his own. And it made her hunger for more. She wanted to be taunted and taken on a ride.

Somehow seeming to know that, he ran his tongue over her bottom lip and, when she parted them on a sigh, she expected,wanted, his tongue on hers, but he wouldn’t give that to her. Not yet. He playfully bit at her lip, taking his time, making her want to push through the table so she could settle over him and feel this all over her body. Except the edge of the table dug uncomfortably at her middle. Jasmine didn’t care. All that existed was this frustrating, intoxicating kiss, so she reached out and grabbed onto the lapels of his jacket, bringing him closer.

Give me more!she wanted to scream. Every bit of her had turned molten. She needed a release. She needed to press up against him.

‘What’s your name?’ He breathed against her lips.

But, just as he had taunted, she couldn’t respond. In utter want, she breathed his instead. ‘Emilio,please.’

She felt his self-satisfied chuckle first, then his hand hook around her nape. That was when he finally caressed her tongue with his. She felt it everywhere, like fire cutting paths through her body and moisture collecting in her core. She squeezed her thighs together, desperate for some relief from this consuming, clawing need, and kissed him back, returning the inferno to him. The kiss morphed, becoming desperate. Urgent.

Emilio pulled away and Jasmine was about to protest. She was drunk on this kiss. It couldn’t end here. But then she opened her eyes and met his darkened gaze.

‘Come with me,’ he said. His accent was somehow thicker in this state. ‘Please.’

Still incapable of words, Jasmine just nodded and placed her hand in his.

CHAPTER THREE

Emilio was shakenby the kiss, by the power of it. He had wanted Jasmine to be the one desiring him, but he was the one hopelessly consumed. It couldn’t end here. He needed more of her.

Every day Emilio fought the siren’s call to be impulsive. He hated himself for that part of his nature. He’d strengthened his resolve against it. He only ever made calculated, logical decisions. Now? Afflicted with a grief he couldn’t escape, and an attraction so powerful it overwhelmed him, clouding his impeccably honed judgement, he finally lost that battle. He could think of nothing but Jasmine. No woman had affected him like this.

He led her wordlessly out of the thumping, noisy club, heading to the lifts that would take them to the rest of the hotel. It was only once they left that he realised just how loud it had been inside. He had heard nothing, noticed nothing, while they’d been speaking. While they’d kissed.

‘Where are we going?’ Jasmine asked as they reached the lift. She was flushed and breathless. As breathless as Emilio felt. It was satisfying to know she was just as affected as he was.

‘You’ll see,’ he said.

The doors slid open and he hit the button for the ground floor, praying no one else would stop the lift.

In the enclosed space, a haze of lust settled over them. The air was thick with it.

‘Are we going to your place?’ she asked.

Definitely not.Emilio didn’t entertain in his home. A home was for a family, and he didn’t have that—would never have that.

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