Page 21 of Unholy Gambit: Checkmate in Blood
“It’s because I don’t want us to be adversaries in these early days. Competition is healthy, but for now, I’d like us to be on the same team.”
“Okay, that makes sense, but I’d still like an answer. Assuming you stay out of my head and don’t cheat, who do you believe will win, when we finally get around to playing?”
“I honestly do not know. I have the experience of centuries, but your mind is…” He opened the passenger door for her. When she was in, he leaned in and brought his lips to hers, surprising her on purpose. He didn’t want her thinking too much aboutwhat he considered her first real kiss, from a man who knew what he was doing.
His control buckled the second their mouths met, and her heat hit him like blinding sunlight through a magnifying glass.
And still, he kissed her.
Chapter 7
No sooner had Aury sat down, Axel leaned into the car, his face inches away, his lips touching hers, opening her mouth, claiming her. His cool hand cradled her cheek, coaxing, deepening, oh-so-gently holding her in place. Her heart raced, her pulse thundered in her ears, in herclit.
Sensory overload. His tongue in her mouth, and she tangled hers with his, determined not to be the fumbling virgin who’d never been properly kissed, though that was exactly the right definition for her.
Her hips squirmed. She squeezed her thighs together, wanting relief. Heat pooled low in her belly. She wanted friction. Pressure. Wanted his mouth on hers forever, and maybe other places, too.
Axel’s lips pressed hers farther open, delving deeper into her mouth, commanding. Consuming. Her lips tingled, her skin flushed, and her nipples ached under her bra. He wasn’t just kissing her. He was invading. Owning.
Possessing.
He finally drew back, giving her a half-dozen gentle kisses, sweet, dizzying contact that somehow made her evenmorebreathless.
Her lungs pulled air in like she’d been forced to climb stairs. Her pulse raced. Her body thrummed.
He gazed at her from eight inches away, and her entire body pulsed with want.
Then, slowly, he kissed the tip of her nose.
She nearly melted on the spot despite the cool temperature.
His hand settled heavy and possessive on her thigh while the other reached for the seatbelt, his body angling over hers to click it into place. The heat of him surrounded her, pressed in from every side and he completely filled her senses. Every motion was slow, sure, leaving her stunned all over again, breath caught between the searing imprint of his kiss and the weight of his touch.
When she was secure, he closed her into the car, walked around, and slid into the driver’s seat like nothing had happened.
Without saying a word.
She stared ahead, stunned.
I think I’m speechless.She telepathed while he pulled out of the parking space.
He chuckled, and even that went straight to her clit. “Saying it, even telepathically, means you aren’t speechless.”
“You did itthen, when I wasn’t expecting it, so I wouldn’t have a chance to get all worked up about it, didn’t you?”
“Once again, you so easily figure me out, when you aren’t even in my head. I’m going to have my hands full with you, my darling Aurélie.”
“You can drop me off at the front door to Ruby’s apartment complex. It’s a nightmare to find a spot if you don’t have an assigned space, and I’m already parked in her second one.”
“No, I need to come inside and talk to you and Ruby. I have someone holding one of the parallel spots out front.”
Sure enough, as they pulled up, someone drove out of a parallel parking spot, and Axel expertly angled into it.
“How did you manage that?”
“I hired someone local to do so for me. How I found this person is one of those things I can’t explain just yet.”
Aury had texted Ruby to let her know Axel was coming up with her, you never know how soon Ruby might strip her makeup off and put her pajamas on.
