Page 11 of Meet Me in the Vines
Can he hear how loud my heart is beating? The thump in my ears is heavy. I hold my breath, anticipating our lips to touch.
“I think I want you to,” I breathe out.
The corners of his lips tug up slightly as his lips finally meet mine. I melt into his kiss, like putty in his arms, letting out a soft whimper when he pulls me in against his hips. It’s hot sparks and fire, and I let my mouth open slightly to invite his tongue. We explore each other, tasting the desire, learning each other. My hands tangle in his hair as our kiss intensifies, and in one swift movement, he lifts me off the ground.
My legs wrap around him, and he leads us onto a built-in bench. I settle on his lap, straddling him as the arousal in my core builds. This kiss is filled with years of wondering, full ofwhat ifs. We grasp each other with need, like this kiss is the only thing keeping us alive. The temperature around us spikes, feeling more like the heat of a sweltering desert summer than a cool, brisk night.
I take notice of the throbbing ache between my legs, the euphoric sensations pricking along my skin with every touch from Donovan. He swallows each moan that escapes my throat, our desire tipping us closer and closer to the edge of losing my innocence.
Our lips part, giving us a moment to catch our breath. His eyes study my face, drinking in every detail. Heat floods my cheeks as his look intensifies, suddenly making me feel vulnerable. He reaches out and traces the freckles over my nose with his index, then down my cheek. His thumb rubs over my bottom lip, swollen with our kiss.
He leans in and smiles against my lips, peppering them with tiny kisses that lead down to the column of my throat. I tilt my head back and let out a moan that comes from the deepest desires of my body, melting away the vulnerability I felt just a moment ago.
“I could kiss you all night if you’d let me,” he whispers. His voice is low and full of rasp, heat pooling between my legs at the sound.
“I’ll let you,” I reply. My words are breathless. The effect he has on me makes my vision blur and my brain go foggy. I’m dancing in a wild storm named Donovan, and I don’t care that I’m in the middle of it.
“But first…” I bite my bottom lip, stifling a smirk that’s creeping on the corner of my mouth.
I slide off of his lap and take one step back, still close enough where he can reach out and touch me.
“But first what?” he asks, one brow cocking up. His expression is full of intrigue. He leans back against the bench and crosses his arms over his hard chest. His eyes hang heavy from our intoxicating kiss as he runs a hand through the hair I tousled with hungry desperation. He looks good enough to eat.
“First, we play a game,” I tease, flashing him a mischievous grin. A sudden bravery wraps around me like armor as I bend down and take off my heels, throwing them to the side. His hands rest behind his head, and that grin I can’t resist forms on his lips.
“A game? Okay. I love games. For the record, I win ateverything,” he says the last part lazily, his legs spread wide apart in a confident stance. Even just the way he sits makes me want to jump on his lap and let him do unspeakable things to me.
I like this cocky side of him.
“Okay, Mr. MVP,” I laugh. “But you’ve never played against me.”
I lean forward, putting my hands on his thighs, dangerously close to his length. He looks down and groans.
“I think I like this game already,” he growls, a smirk forms on his lips.
He runs his hands up the outside of my legs, trailing to my thighs. I push off him, and he scrubs a hand over his face in frustration. I like seeing him all worked up.
I could get used to this.
“The game is cat and mouse.”
“Like tag?” he asks, curious where this is going.
“Yeah, exactly like tag. You’re cat and I’m mouse. I get a ten-second head start, and the gazebo is home base. Close your eyes while you count, though.”
He flashes me a smile and stands to his feet.
“Okay, fair enough. So, I get to kiss you all night if I win?”
He walks towards me, and instead of stepping back, I wrap my arms around his middle. I look up at his towering frame and lean in, my lips barely touching his.
“Ifyou win,” I whisper, pressing my lips into the corner of his mouth.
I gently push him back, daring him to take a dive with me into the unknown. Tonight, we play. Tonight, we explore the possibility of an unforgettable summer together. I’m willing to take the leap if he is.
“Are you ready?” I ask, adrenaline spiking through my veins.
“I was born ready, baby,” a low growl rumbling from the depth of his chest.
