Page 136 of Velvet Corruption

But we hadn’t been.

We’d been built to grow up on opposite sides of this city, on opposite sides of this life. We’d been built to never end up here at all.

And so, when she pulled away this time and rested her forehead on my chest, I didn’t stop her.

“We can’t do this,” she muttered.

“Yeah,” I said. “That’s why we’re kissing in your shower. Because we’re not doing this.”

She let out a noise—half laugh, half groan. “Kieran…”

“I’m just agreeing with you,” I said, hands sliding to her waist, thumbs brushing the curve of her hip. “Very respectfully. While shirtless. In your shower.”

“This will never be okay.”

“I’m aware. It’s horrible. Really.” I kissed the top of her head. “Terrible idea. We should definitely stop.”

Her hands moved to the hem of my shirt, and she looked up at me with a glare that barely held together. “Take it off or I’ll do it for you.”

“Well, if you insist on making the worst decision of your life…” I lifted my arms, letting her peel the shirt off me, her fingers brushing down my chest with more intent than she wanted to admit.

She stared at me. “You’re not even gonna pretend to protest?”

I grinned. “Oh, I’m full of protest. It’s just trapped behind the part of my brain that really wants you to keep touching me.”

My lips brushed her collarbone, and she clung to me, pressing her body closer like we could somehow dissolve into each other and never be separate again. She kissed me with a sudden fierceness, like the last piece of something breaking loose inside her. Like we were both still falling apart and holding on was the only thing that could keep us whole.

“Jesus,” she whispered against my mouth, her voice catching. “This is so…”

“Dangerous?” I offered.

“Stupid.”

“Mm. I like when you sweet-talk me.”

I hauled her closer, lifting her up and wrapping her legs around me. If there was going to be regret later, it could wait; right now, none of that mattered.

“Wait,” she said, giggling. “Don’t you want to take your pants off first?”

“You’re too impatient,” I said, kissing the curve of her jaw. “Didn’t they teach you anything at law school?”

She laughed against my mouth, short and breathless, and something in me sang at the sound. Then she planted her hands on my chest again, shoving me gently away.

“Impatient?” she said. “Says the man performing a rescue mission in soaking-wet jeans.”

“You’re not a rescue mission,” I said.

“Okay. What am I?”

Everything, I thought. But I didn’t say it.

I grinned, feeling it in every part of me, and when I let her go long enough to strip them off, she didn’t move away. She stayed close and warm and ready, eyes wide and wanting. When I pulled her against me again, so bare it almost hurt to touch her, she shivered at the contact.

I kissed her again, the kiss hot and long and desperate, and she kissed me back with just as much intensity. I slid my hands down her back, pressing her against the tile, feeling her naked body against mine.

I wanted to pace myself, but there was no chance. Not with Ruby naked. Not with her willing.

Not with her right there, looking so beautiful I could barely stand it.

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