Page 31 of His Reward
“Yeah, I really needed one—” I tilt my head.“How do you know I took a sleeping pill?”
A beat passes before he responds, his relaxed expression becoming more alert.
“I saw the bottle on your nightstand after you told me about the intruder, so I assumed you would.”
“Oh.Right.”
“Do you take them every night?”
“No, but I think I’ll take another one tonight.Seeing Kevin today freaked me out, and I know my brain will twist that up and torment me in my sleep.”
He steps closer and gives my shoulder a supportive rub.
“Do whatever helps you get a good night’s rest, but you don’t need to worry about Kevin.I’ll never let him or anyone else hurt you.”
I smile.“I know.You’re my hero.”
His gaze pins me, but he doesn’t respond right away.His rub becomes a gentle glide up the side of my neck, and he sweeps his thumb along my jaw.
“A hero gets rewarded,” he says in a low voice.“If I’m yours, what’s my reward, sweetheart?”
Combined with his touch and the interest in his hazel eyes, his question makes my pulse tick faster.This feels like we’re stepping into dangerous territory.I bite my lips together, uncertain how to answer.
“I don’t—what do you want?”
His gaze dips to my mouth.He doesn’t answer, but he slips his hand into my hair and tugs it until my face is turned up to his.My heart races as he holds my gaze captive, the hunger in his eyes unmistakable.
He lowers his head and brushes his lips over mine.I don’t pull away like I should.Ican’t.My brain is struggling so hard to process this moment, it short circuits.
Encouraged by my lack of resistance, Malcolm hooks his arm around me and pulls me closer, then presses his lips firmly to mine.He slants his head and slides his tongue along the seam of my lips.I surprise myself that I part them for him.
Malcolm slides his tongue into my mouth, deepening our incredibly inappropriate kiss.Warmth floods my body and my heart is drumming so hard, it drowns out the moral voice yelling that this is wrong and I should stop it.
I curl my fingers into his shirt and return his kiss.He groans into my mouth and devours me like he’s been desperate to do it for ages.I’m so overwhelmed, I can’t do anything else but submit and let him take from me.Claim his reward.
He walks me backward and presses me against the nearest wall, caressing and squeezing my waist and hips.Then he breaks the kiss, his lips scorching a path along my jaw and down my neck.I let out a soft whimper, between my legs becoming slick and aching for more than a kiss.That’s when I know things have really gone too far.
I break our kiss and jerk away from him, my body burning with lust and shame.We’re breathing hard as we stare at each other.Silence has never been so loud.It’s so heavy too, like a weighted blanket smothering us.
My dad’s best friend kissed me and I liked it.
The words go round and round in my head, louder every loop.I’m desperate to escape the sordid truth.I back away, then turn and flee the room.
* * *
It was the wine.
That’s why Malcolm kissed me tonight.
When I first showed him the bottle, he told me he wasn’t much of a drinker.He made an exception tonight for our small celebration.
The wine wasn’t that strong, but his tolerance might be low.The alcohol probably got to his head and pushed him to do something he normally wouldn’t.
He looked sober.
I was too when I kissed him back.
My mind replays the kiss and I close my eyes on a groan, fighting against the memory.It’s winning.Between my legs clench as I relive the moment Malcolm pressed me against the wall and kissed me harder.
