Page 35 of Eye of the Hurricane
“I am not being weird,” I defend.
“Kat, I’ve never seen you so nervous. Just tell me.”
“I was just thinking about the rules. I thought maybe we could talk about them again.”
“The rules? That’s what has you so nervous? Did I do something to make you uncomfortable?” He tilts his head like a confused puppy.
“No, no. Nothing like that, I promise… The opposite really,” I start. A smirk creeps up on his lips.
“Aww, Kitty Kat, did you catch feelings for me already?” he teases. I scoot a little closer to him.
“I had a whole speech planned about how I think the rules are standing in the way of us faking it better. But if I’m being honest, it has nothing to do with that,” I admit. I turn my body, pulling my legs up onto the couch to face him more straight on. “I want to have sex with you. This isn’t like last time, I’m stone-cold sober and this isn’t some impulsive, stupid decision… Well, it’s not impulsive.” His face is equal parts surprise and amusement.
“You’ve thought this through?” he tests, and I nod. “What changed your mind? We had that conversation—What? Like a week ago?” It’s frustrating but also comforting that he doesn’t just take me at my word and go for it. He’s makingsure that I’m sure and I can’t be mad at that. Not really, anyways.
“I talked to Luna and she pointed out that I’m doing all of the distracting parts of dating without any of the fun parts. I figure if we’re going on all these fake dates, might as well enjoy the fruits of that labor.” I shrug. His tongue darts out and wets his lips. His eyes bounce from my eyes to my lips and back to my eyes. That’s the exact moment I realize that we’re really going to do this.
“Come here,” he instructs. His voice is lower and quieter than normal. There’s a steadiness to it that makes me follow his instruction without hesitation. I slide in front of him, so close I’m nearly in his lap.
He reaches out and pops me up onto him. My heart is absolutely hammering against my chest. I can feel my pulse in my entire body.
He wraps a strong hand around the back of my neck and laces his fingers into the hair at the base of my head. His eyes catch me once more but this time they’re smoldering. I feel like my entire body is an electric current.
“Remind me to thank Luna,” he says lowly. It’s the last thing he says before he attaches his lips to mine.
The second our lips touch, everything changes. At least, that’s how it feels. The world tilts on its axis and my lungs are empty. It seems like there’s not a drop of oxygen left in the room.
His lips are warm and soft, and his kiss is demanding in all the right ways. I’m melted in his hands and he has no idea. It feels natural, like I was made to kiss him.
His tongue takes a swipe at my bottom lip and I part my lips instinctually. The second it crosses the barrier into mymouth, a moan slips out and I pull away. My eyes are wide and my cheeks are burning red. My chest is heaving and I know I must look flustered. Ares, on the other hand, looks confused.
“What’s wrong? You pulled away,” he questions.
What’s the best way to say ‘I’m embarrassed because I just moaned in your mouth over a simple kiss? Oh! and I did it because I’m a big ol’ virgin’? There isn’t a best way. So I go the route of pretending it didn’t happen. Surely I can play this off.
“Just needed a second,” I assure him. He doesn’t look like he fully believes me but he doesn’t protest when I plant my lips back on his.
I make a mental note of matching his speed and doing what he’s doing. Our tongues slide against each other. As I’m finding a pace to keep, he pulls away, dropping sloppy kisses along my jaw and neck.
“What do you like, Kat?” Ares whispers in my ear. It sends goosebumps across my entire body.
“What do you mean?” I ask. It’s a shock to hear how breathless and needy I sound. He pulls back from my neck, scanning his eyes over my face and landing on my lips.
“You like to be in control? Or is the bedroom where you let loose? Do you like it soft, or do you want it rough? Tell me what you need, honey.” I don’t know. I don’t know and I can’t pretend to know because what if I hate it?
Well, the idea of keeping my secret was fun while it lasted. I know now I have to tell him.
“I don’t know,” I admit, avoiding his eyes.
“What do you mean you don’t know?”
“I—I’ve never… you know. I’m a virgin,” I admit. His eyes go wide.
“What?” He looks like he’s seen a ghost.
“For the record though, I don’t really agree with the concept of virginity and losing something when you have sex for the first time.” I’m rambling now, but he cracks a smile and lets out a low chuckle.
“Of course, you don’t,” he laughs. I pinch my brows together.
