Page 58 of Of Heartbreak and Harmony
I nod slowly, swallowing hard before whispering my answer.
“Yes.”
For the briefest of moments, I worry about my breath. I just ate kabobs and hummus. I haven’t brushed my teeth. Am I going to smell like garlic? But then his fingers slide under the hem of my shorts, squeezing my thigh lightly, and all concerns fizzle from my consciousness.
“This pain...won’t go away easy...I’m still here to please you...”
He drags his lips over my jaw as he whispers, a faint melody I can’t place carrying every word. I fist my hands into his shirt as he moves to my earlobe, taking it between his teeth and biting down lightly.
While he caresses my thigh with one hand, his other moves my hair off my shoulder, and he continues downward, kissing my neck. Licking me. Sucking softly. Biting. God, the biting. I didn’t think I’d be into biting, but I am. I really am. I hold him tighter. Pull him closer. Breathe faster. I will myself to calm down before I pass out, but I can’t. I can’t.
“Relax, baby. Do you want me to stop?”
His breath skirts over my collarbone as he drags my tank top strap down my shoulder, then he’s pressing hot, open-mouthed kisses to my chest. My collarbone.
“No,” I rasp. “Don’t stop.”
He laughs quietly, deep and sensual. The sound goes right to my core, and I clench, pressing my thighs together against the throb.
“Open your eyes.”
I do, and my gaze connects with his. His pupils are blown wide, haloed by glittering, glowing green. It only serves to make me hotter, needier. He keeps his eyes locked on mine as he slides his hand under the neck of my tank top. His fingers rest lightly on my breast, and he presses his palm onto my chest. My heartbeat, I realize after a breath. He’s feeling my heartbeat.
“Your heart is racing. Is it fear, or are you turned on?”
I choke on a laugh, then answer honestly.
“A little of both, I think.”
Torren slowly removes his hand from under my shirt before sliding my tank top strap back up my shoulder. I don’t understand what’s happening as he presses a soft kiss to my forehead and then stands, offering me his hand.
“I’ll walk you back.”
I squint, suddenly fighting the urge to cry. He’s...kicking me out? I shoot to my feet and wrap my arms around myself.
“What? Why? Am I not...are you not...into me?”
He laughs and makes a waving gesture between us.
“Does this look like I’m not into you?”
I’m confused at first, and then I realize he was gesturing to his lower body. To his...erection.
“Oh.”
Oh. There is a sizable bulge in Torren King’s jeans at the moment, and he’s suggesting thatI’mthe reason it’s there. My shock must showon my face because he laughs again, then takes my hand in his. He rubs his thumb over my knuckles and speaks slowly.
“You’re visibly uncomfortable. I’m not going to pressure you into doing anything you don’t want to do.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to...”
I trail off, lost for words. How do I explain that this would be aliteraldream come true without sounding like an obsessed fanatic? How do I tell him he’s everything and nothing like I’ve imagined, and I’m overwhelmed by the absoluterealnessof him?
Torren King might as well have been a mythical hero in bedtime fairy tales before this weekend. Always pixilated or out of focus. Veiled in mystery. Idolized and revered and blurred around the edges. I’m still getting used to the technicolored reality of his presence.
He smiles and nods, then gives my hand a tug.
“C’mon, Firebird. I’ll walk with you.”
