Page 65 of Obligation
Hands behind her, she clutched the wooden doorframe and arched her back enough to almost graze his chest. He couldn’t stop from groaning at the lack of contact. What he wouldn’t give to feel her beneath him again. To get swept away in her kisses. To hear her moans and gasps of pleasure.
Before he could stop himself, he rested his free hand on her waist and flexed his fingers, branding the feel of her to his palm. “I can’t stop thinking about what happened this morning,” he said, his voice raspy.
“Bradley,” she whispered, and he couldn’t miss the undercurrent of need in her tone.
“He doesn’t deserve you, Carissa.” Maybe if Bradley could convince her that he was the better guy, show her how she was meant to be treated, he could change her mind about who she wanted to be with.
“And you do?” she asked, her tone sarcastic.
God, he loved this side of her. “Yes,” he said without hesitation. “And I’m going to prove it to you.”
“How?”
Gently squeezing her waist, he lowered his head and positioned his mouth near her ear. “You’ll find out soon enough.”
He nipped at her earlobe, and she tilted her head, a subtle sign of permission. Her body arched closer, and he took the opportunity to slide his hand around to settle against her back. Then he tugged her forward so their bodies touched, and he kissed the soft spot behind her ear.
She hesitantly rested her hands on his bare arms, and goose bumps spread across his flesh. But she once again arched into him, and he yanked her even closer, dragging his mouth across her jawline. She tilted her head and moaned so softly he momentarily wondered if he’d only imagined the sound.
“Bradley.” Her tone was full of need, and she gently shoved him away.
He eased back but didn’t release her—and she didn’t let go of him, either, so he took that as a good sign.
“We can’t keep doing this.” She licked her lips, her voice breathless and incredibly sexy.
“Why not?” He raised a brow, his gaze drifting from her tempting lips up to her doe eyes and back again. “You can’t ignore what’s happening between us.”
She sighed and trailed her hands down his arms, her fingernails sending shivers through his body. Everything inside of him tensed. Then, she lightly brushed her hand across his chest, her touch featherlight and wholly devastating to his senses.
“I have to ignore it,” she said and looked up at him, her eyes full of remorse. “I have a boyfriend, remember? This isn’t fair to him.”
“Yeah… and where is he?” Bradley asked a little too harshly. “Look around, Carissa. Who’s here right now? I am.” He pointed to his chest to emphasize his point. “Why do you care so much about him and his feelings when he treats you like shit?”
Her eyes narrowed. “Because I refuse to let him—or anyone—change who I am as a person.”
“A little too late for that, isn’t it?”
She flinched and crossed her arms over her chest, creating a barrier between them. “What’s that supposed to mean?” she snapped.
“You tell me.” He shrugged. “You don’t strike me as the type of person to let anyone push you around or walk all over you. And you sure as hell aren’t the type of girl to apologize for everything, no matter if it’s your fault or not.”
“You know nothing about me,” she shot back, shaking her head, but her voice held no real conviction.
“Like it or not, sweetheart”—Bradly once again leaned closer, their faces inches apart—“Danny has changed you. You may not want to admit it, but I’m guessing your friends would agree with me.”
He straightened. He knew he was pushing her, and that wasn’t what he wanted to do, but he also needed her to see the truth. For some reason, she was in denial about the type of guy Danny really was, and until she faced the facts, she’d be stuck in this dangerous relationship.
“You have no idea what you’re talking about,” she said.
“Maybe. Maybe not.” He moved away from her, giving her space to walk into the bathroom and slam the door in his face, but she didn’t do either of those.
Instead, she stood there, staring at him. He’d give anything to know what was going on in her mind right then. He was tempted to ask, but he doubted she’d tell him.
“Guess I’ll see you later,” he said with a small wave.
“So that’s it?” She marched up to him and poked his chest. “You think you can just say all that stuff to me and then walk away?” Her eyes blazed with fiery defiance, and he had to bite back a smile. “Just because you rescued me the other night doesn’t mean…”
He waited a moment for her to finish, and when she didn’t, he said, “Doesn’t mean what?”
