Page 30 of Bewitched By the Siren
Brendan has been a true gentleman, and he hasn’t brought up my singing or his work once tonight. It should be illegal to be this handsome and this nice at the same time.
Could he be playing me just get what he wants––a signed contract? Maybe. But that doesn’t really matter, does it?
It’s not like we have a chance at something long-term, either way. He lives on the other side of the country. Anything we start would have an expiration date, regardless of his motives.
And, fuck, I want to kiss him.
I should just go for it. What’s the worst that could happen? He could reject my advances, sure, but what would be worse? The rejection? Or the regret I’d feel if I didn’t at least try?
I’m not stupid. I’ve seen the interest in Brendan’s eyes when he looks at me. An interest that’s not one hundred percent professional. Of that, I’m sure.
Sucking in a deep breath, I lean forward and set my wine glass on the coffee table. Brendan watches me as I move, his blue eyes glinting in the dim light. Leaning toward him, I take his own glass from his fingers and set it down beside mine before sliding closer to him.
“What are you doing?” he murmurs, and I cock my head as I hold his gaze.
“Do you want to kiss me, Brendan Howser?”
Surprise twists his features for a moment, then his face smooths out as he nods. “I do, but I don’t think I should.”
“Why not?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper as I lean in the tiniest bit closer.
“Because if you sign with me, you’ll be my client. Kissing isn’t very professional.”
There’s no conviction in his words. He’s saying them because he thinks he should, not because he means them. Standing, I pull the skirt of my dress up to my knees so I can straddle his lap. I know I’m being extremely forward, butYOLO,as the kids used to say.
“I’m not going to sign with you,” I say, my whisper thick and husky.
His hands moves to my knees, his fingertips sliding just beneath the hem of my hiked-up dress. “Are you sure about that?”
“Positive,” I breathe, bringing my lips within an inch of his.
This is it. I think I’ve made it pretty damn clear what I want, and the ball is in his court. He can take what I’m offering, or he can ask me to kindly remove myself from his personal space. I hold my breath as I wait to see which option he’ll choose.
He hesitates for the briefest of seconds, then his lips are on mine, soft and strong and as demanding as I’d hoped they be. His hands find their way into my hair, tugging until I tilt my head where he wants it. When his tongue swipes across my lower lip, I open my mouth in invitation. A low groan vibrates in his chest as his tongue dips inside to taste me.
It’s not lost on me that my actions are a complete one-eighty from my usual behavior. I don’t let people get this close. I certainly don’t kiss people who aren’t strangers I’m sure I’ll never see again. People I can’t make forget me completely with a few words.
Maybe it’s the wine.
Maybe it’s my mother’s encouragement.
Or maybe Brendan Howser is just that fucking irresistible.
Whatever it is, there is no place I’d rather be and nothing more I’d rather be doing. He’s a great kisser, and my body is reacting. My blood is heating. My core is throbbing.
Lifting my hands to his hair, I sift my fingers through the soft strands as my tongue chases Brendan’s back into his mouth. He groans again, and like the sound is some kind of starting pistol, I roll my hips and bear down. I can feel the ridge of his erection against my most sensitive bits, and bursts of light flare behind my closed eyelids.
I want this.
I wanthim.
Fuck tomorrow and the complications it might bring.
Brendan’s grip on my hair tightens, and the pressure of his mouth against mine lightens. I want to groan and scream as he slows our kiss to a few playful nibbles, but I manage to hold onto my composure as I pull back to meet his eyes.
“I should probably get going,” he whispers, and my heart sinks.
I hide my disappointment behind a gentle smile, then nod before climbing off his lap. He pushes to his feet, taking a moment to not-so-subtly adjust himself while blowing out a harsh breath. My mind screams at him to stay, but my body leads the way to the front door before pulling it open.
