Page 48 of Paradise in Progress
He leans in closer, and the urge to feel his lips against mine is strong. “I did all of this for you, Firecracker.”
My eyes bounce back and forth as I seek out any detection that he’s lying. “Why?”
“Because contrary to what you believe, I’m not the enemy, Kennedy.” His fingers graze my cheek as he curls a loose piece of hair behind my ears. The gesture has me melting into his touch as our bodies press together as if they’re magnified. My lips find his first, and my body relaxes instantly, like it was waiting to feel him again. When his tongue flicks the seam of my mouth, begging for me to open, I grant him entry.
The kiss quickly turns heated as the overwhelming urge to climb into his lap hits me like a wave crashing over my senses. I reach for his head and tug his mouth closer to mine, wanting,needing,to erase the remaining space between us. The sound of a fork hitting a plate has me springing apart from him, taken aback by how entranced I was by that kiss. Chest heaving, I glance behind me to see if anyone noticed the makeout session we were having like two horny teenagers.
“Shit, Firecracker.” He trails his hand down his front as he adjusts the bulge I can barely see from the minimal light around us.
“Let’s go home.”
Chapter eighteen
Tristan
“Let’s go home.”
Three words have never sounded so sexy. One minute, the two of us are enjoying dessert in silence, and the next, Kennedy’s lips are smashed against mine. The urge to pull her into my lap was overwhelming.
But when she uttered those words, I don’t think I’ve ever moved faster than I did right then. Setting our plates on the table, I pull her to her feet and basically drag her off the pier. I’ll thank Destiny and the chef tomorrow for the wonderful evening. And as much as I was enjoying dessert, I could think of something else I’d rather taste than carrot cake.
With her hand grasped firmly in mine, we make record time getting across the courtyard and to our building. As we wait for the elevator, I take the opportunity to push Kennedy against the wall. Trapping her arms above her head, I lift off the fedora that has been obstructing my angle all night. Our lips meet in a searing kiss as she moans into my mouth. We duel in a heated kiss, our tongues meeting as her body melts against mine. My erection presses into her middle, leaving no doubt she has me so turned on. The bell dings, and we tumble into the waiting car as it carries us to our shared space. She falls against me,and I land with my back to the wall. My hand holding her hat battles to grip her lower back while the other plunges through her hair, holding her mouth to mine.
I’ve never been so grateful to be sharing a room.
Her hands battle the buttons of my shirt as she tries to unclasp them, our mouths never disconnecting. Finally, the buttons free, and her cool hands graze my chest, pulling a hiss from the contact, and her mouth curves in a smile. With my hand still on her back, I trail it down, gripping her ass as she grinds into me, dropping her hat in the process. When she rewards me with another breathy moan, I slip it lower, pulling at the satin material of her skirt until my hand smooths beneath the slit to her thigh.
My fingers graze up her silky skin until I reach her apex. Heat radiates from her as my knuckle rubs across her wet panties.
“Fuuuuuuck,” I groan. “You’re dripping for me.”
Her body shudders. I pull the material to the side with a finger, allowing my thumb to brush against her swollen clit. Satisfaction fills me as her hips buck at the contact and she deepens the kiss. I’m about to sink two fingers inside her when the doors chime open. The ding has Kennedy forcing her back ramrod straight, and whatever spell we’ve been under this evening is immediately busted.
She pushes off my chest and storms out of the elevator without a word.
What the fuck just happened?
The doors start to close as I’m standing there watching her retreat across the suite. Reaching out, I keep the car from closing while grabbing her stupid hat. Frustration fuels my movements as I movethrough the room, trailing after her. My insecurities crash down around me and tendrils of anger flicker to life.
Did I do something to her? Was she not feeling things the way I was?
The date was perfect, couldn’t have asked better, really, and she definitely seemed all in when we ran out on dessert. She’s the one who wanted to leave. We practically inhaled each other in the elevator. It had felt like a connection, something deeper than co-workers forced to share space.
Her door is wide open, and her back is to me as she reaches for the zipper on the side of her skirt.
“What did I do?” My words come out harsh and startle her. She jumps, her hands going to her chest.
She scoffs and turns her attention away from me. “What don’t you do?”
“Elaborate.” I don’t ask, but demand while flinging her fedora like a frisbee toward her bed, because fuck this. I’m done with this back-and-forth, hot-and-cold bullshit. She’s had a problem with me since college, and it’s about time we settle the dispute now. I’ve gone and fallen for a woman who wants me one second and hates me the next.
I watch as she inhales and exhales, not looking at me. Her back moves with each breath, and I want to spin her around until she spills all her truths. She spins on her toes and marches toward me.
Fiery Kennedy might be my favorite Kennedy, but right now that glare of hers has my balls wanting to shrivel. She jabs her finger into my chest, which was still exposed from moments ago when she was practically ripping my shirt off my body.
“You geteverythingI want.”
“What are you talking about?” I ask, exasperated.
