Page 31 of Holiday Hostage
Heat sizzled and sparked, racing between us in a heady cascade.
I’d suffered injuries that should have killed me.
A split lip was nothing.
The weight of my past threatened to ruin the moment.
The hell with that.
The last thing I wanted was to let Payton take on the heaviness I carried with me. “It was worth it to see what a fighter you are.” Did I push the issue?
Payton’s gaze lingered on my lips, hers parting with that tiny puff of air that gave me permission. “If you really want to make it better, you could kiss it.” I kept my tone playful, giving her a chance to pull away if I’d misread the situation.
Payton’s eyes rose and locked with mine. “That sounds like a dare.”
I remained still when she leaned forward and brushed her lips across mine.
My body turned molten, my need to please her rising hot and fast.
She moved a breath away, close enough to steal the air from me.
“I’m not sure it worked.” I traced the line of her jaw with my free hand. “Better try again.”
Her laugh mingled with a torrent of snow that crashed into the window.
This time, when our lips met, she didn’t hesitate to lay claim to the kiss.
9
PAYTON
Kissing was one of my favorite things, but kissing Reed, even for that single heartbeat, was unlike anything I’d ever experienced.
My blood roared in my ears, my entire body lighting on fire. I held my breath as the moment lingered.
I shouldn’t kiss him.
He was my rescuer, one of three of the hottest men I’d ever laid eyes on.
I should be concerned with the storm raging outside, the threat of men coming after me.
Anything other than the way Reed’s thumb ran back and forth over my knuckles, and the way our breaths tangled together like they belonged to one another.
Reed’s dark hair fell over his forehead, his scruff of beard shadowing his jaw when he shifted in the rocking chair.
I ran my fingers through his hair and over his cheek, enjoying the prickle of goosebumps that erupted when the stubble scraped my palm.
His hazel eyes danced in the firelight, a rueful grin twisting his lips.
He let me explore, and I had a sudden urge to forget about everything except the way he made me feel.
Tarron had been careful and conscientious as he examined me earlier.
He seemed like the quiet type, but nothing compared to Maverick.
Why was I thinking of them? I should be focused on Reed.
The hell with it. I’d been through a traumatic ordeal.
