Page 44 of Hiss and Tell
But even as I lose myself in her taste, her warmth, the way she fits against me like she was made for this, reality intrudes. We’re on a public path in broad daylight. She has to get home to Milo soon, and anyone could come around the bend at any moment.
“We should stop,” I manage against her throat, even as my hands refuse to let her go. “We’re not teenagers anymore.”
“I know,” she breathes, but doesn’t pull away. “I just… I can’t seem to stop wanting you.”
“Good.” I rest my forehead against hers, both of us breathing hard. “Because I can’t stop wanting you, either.”
“This is crazy,” she whispers. “Making out in the park like we’re seventeen.”
“Completely insane,” I agree, then steal one more kiss because I can’t help myself. “But I regret nothing.”
She laughs, the sound breathless and bright. “I should get home.”
“Of course.” I help her stand, both of us smoothing rumpled clothes and trying to look respectable. “Thank you. For listening, for considering the ritual. For not running away when I told you about ancient Gorgon magic.”
“Thank you for giving me hope,” she says simply. “I need time to process everything, but Sebastian… this changes things. All of it.”
“Take all the time you need,” I tell her, though my snakes are already reaching toward her like they can’t bear to see her go. “I’ll be here when you’re ready.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Sebastian
Ten PM. Milo should be asleep by now.
I’ve been pacing my living room for the past hour, my snakes restless with anticipation. Every few minutes, one of them flicks toward my phone, as if they’re as eager as I am to hear Aspen’s voice again.
Thoughts of our increasing closeness have been driving me slowly insane. I can still taste our kisses on my lips.
Before I lose my nerve, I dial her number.
“Hi,” she answers on the second ring, slightly breathless.
“Hi. I know it’s late, but I couldn’t stop thinking about earlier. About you.”
“I was thinking about you, too.” Her voice drops to that husky whisper that arrows straight to my groin. “About what we started.”
“And what we couldn’t finish.” I sink onto my couch, already hard just from hearing the want in her voice. “Where are you?”
“In bed. Milo’s asleep.” A pause, then: “I can’t stop thinking about your hands on me.”
My breath catches. “Aspen…”
“Tell me what you were thinking about doing to me,” she whispers. “When we had to stop.”
My snakes sway with interest, responding to the arousal in her voice. “I was thinking about kissing every inch of you. Starting with that spot behind your ear that makes you gasp.”
“Sebastian.” My name is a moan.
“Are you touching yourself?”
“Yes.” The admission is barely audible. “Are you?”
“Not yet. But I want to.” I lean back against the cushions, my free hand already moving to my belt. “Tell me what you’re doing.”
“My hand is… oh God, I’m thinking about your mouth on me. The way you kissed me today, like you werestarvingfor me.”
“I was. I am.” I free myself from my pants, hissing at the contact. “I’m touching myself now, thinking about how you felt in my lap. How you moved against me.”
