Page 39 of Force Play
“Trust me, I know,” I say with a sad laugh. “I’m the one he cheated on, remember?”
Ari sighs. “I hate that I was right about that, you know.”
I glance at him in surprise. “No, I kinda figured you’d be happy you were right.”
“Fuck no,” he scoffs. “I was right about him cheating on you, Lucia. Anyone who would be happy about that is a shitty person.”
“And you’re not a shitty person, are you?”
Ari smiles at me softly. “I’ve been trying to tell you that for almost two years, Spitfire.”
We’re distracted now by the crowd chanting. “10…9…8…7…6…5…4…3…2…1… Happy New Year!”
“Happy New Year, Lucia,” Ari says.
“Happy New Year, Ari,” I reply softly, slinking back against the wall.
“What’s still bothering you?” he asks, seemingly genuinely concerned.
“Nothing,” I shake my head. He looks at me questioningly, and I sigh before deciding to say ‘fuck it,’ and just let it all out. “It’s just… irritating. When we came here last year, Matt didn’t show up, choosing to spend New Year’s with Anna instead. Of course, he has to show up this year and give his mistress the New Year’s kiss I was denied then.”
“Why is a New Year’s kiss important?”
I let out a breath. “It’s not. Not really, I suppose. But it’s nice to have someone to ring in the new year with. It’s been a while since I’ve had that.”
Ari appears to be mulling something over while looking up at the ceiling as if he’ll find the answers. He must be satisfied with what he sees because before I know it, he whips his head back down, closing the distance between us and sealing his lips over mine.
And I don’t stop him.
He pulls his head away and stares at me with wide eyes. “Fuck, I don’t know why—”
I cut him off by pulling on the collar of his shirt and bringing his mouth back to mine.
This time, we both give in.
Ari pulls my body against him as I swipe my tongue against his.
My heart beats rapidly as I allow myself to just let go and not think about it.
I’m kissing Ari Morgan, and I actually really fucking like it.
thirteen
Ari
Ifyouhadaskedme earlier what I expected to happen tonight, kissing Lucia wouldn’t have even crossed my mind.
Yet, here we stand in the dim hallway of a crowded club on New Year’s Eve, kissing as if we’re desperate for each other.
I had a moment of panic after I kissed her, but when she pulled me right back in, all caution was thrown to the wind. My hands are in her hair, and hers are draped over my shoulders, pulling me close.
I groan when she bites my lip, and all my blood rushes straight to my dick.
I can’t really deny it anymore—I fuckingwanther.
When she whimpers as I lightly pull her hair, I’m pretty sure she wants me, too.
We break apart, foreheads pressed together as we heave heavy breaths. Lucia glances further down the hallway before grabbing my hand and walking in that direction.
