Page 114 of Resisting the Temptation
“I’m sorry if I overstepped back there. I just… couldn’t listen to them anymore. I felt the hurt radiating from you, and I couldn’t stand it.”
I lick my lips, and Ben tracks the quick path my tongue takes. “You didn’t overstep. I’m the one who should be apologizing. I’ve never had anyone stand up for me before. I’m not upset at you for standing up for me. It was…”Everything.
If my heart wasn’t attached before, it sure is now.
It’s signed the papers, and Ben owns it now, even if he doesn’t want it.
“It wasn’t even a second thought for me, Emma. You shine even through all the hurt you’ve experienced, but… I want to see how much brighter you can shine when you’re loved the way you deserve.”
What is he saying?
“I don’t think I know how to let myself be loved like that,” I whisper.
His eyes dart down to my lips and back up. “Let me help you learn. Let me be the one to help you shine brighter.”
Ben leans in agonizingly slow, never breaking eye contact. His lips are mere millimeters from mine, and I feel the words as they leave his breath. “Color?”
“Green,” I breathe.
With more tenderness than I’ve ever experienced, Ben’s lips meet mine, and I have my first kiss in over four years.
Ben’s lips capture my bottom one, and our mouths mold together like they’re the last two pieces of a puzzle. My heart soars and sighs with relief at how good, howrightit feels. It’s slow and achingly sweet and full of unspoken words. The dichotomy of emotions rolling through me makes tears pool in my eyes.
One tracks down my face, and I taste it as it falls between our lips. He must taste it too, because he pulls back to look at me. I chase his lips with my own. I don’t want to stop now that I’ve started.
“Was that okay?” Ben whispers. His breath fans across my lips, and I shiver. He must think I’m cold because he grabs my hand and leads me towards the door of the hotel. “Let’s get you inside.”
Chapter 55
Ben
Iknew kissing Emma would be life-changing. I just didn’t know it would cause a cataclysmic reaction in my soul.
Our kiss wasn’t what I was expecting.
It wasn’t all lips and teeth and tongue. It was a gentle breeze blowing the remaining shreds of my sanity away and revealing the last parts of Emma she kept hidden from me.
I don’t want to stop kissing her, but I refrain from mauling her in the elevator, and I don’t shove her against the door when we get into our room like I desperately want to.
I know the most important thing right now is for us to talk, but now that she’s let me taste her sassy mouth, I can’t get enough. I want—no,need—more.
Emma turns around once the door is shut and bites her lip—the lip I had the pleasure of tasting not five minutes ago.
“We should probably talk,” she rasps as she takes off her coat.
“We should,” I agree as I toe off my shoes.
“We need to figure out where to go from here.”
“I know where I want to go,Dulzura.”
“Where is that?” She fiddles with the sleeve of her shirt.
“Home. I want you in my house. I want you in my bed. In my life—everywhere.” I cross the few feet of space between us and cup her face, feeling the heat from her cheeks as they blush. “I want to take you to the club on Saturdays and show you off, then spend Sunday mornings making breakfast together. I want to show up at work together and go home together at the end of the day. I want to meet your friends. I want to plan surprises with Jordan. I want you to color-code our schedules and help me grocery shop.
“But mostly, I want to be your peace. I want to be your comfort. I want to hear every thought that crosses your brain, even the dark ones you don’t want anyone else to know. I want to hold your heart in the palm of my hand and have you trust me to treat it with the utmost care.”
Emma’s cerulean eyes dart between mine like she’s waiting for me to say, “just kidding.” Like she’s trying to figure out if this is all a joke. None of that is coming. She should know I’m a serious guy. I don’t do jokes.
