Deception (Infidelity #3)(14)
I stood taller, holding my cup of coffee in both hands and gently blew across the steaming molten java. Looking at my cousin through my lashes I replied, “Nope.”
“Tsk-tsk. Are you trying to poke the beehive?”
“I haven’t had this subject in class yet, but as a law student, I believe pleading the fifth is an acceptable answer.”
“Alex…”
“And I promise I’ll be in touch, but if my GPS is off on my phone, don’t let that worry you. I will still be around.”
“Great. That Witt woman will be blowing up my phone. If I don’t get that position at the firm due to too many personal—”
I shook my head. “Fine, I’ll send her a text.”
“Thanks, I appreciate that. I need to run.”
“Run?”
“To the subway station.” He looked down at his clothes. “Run and ruin this look? Never.”
I smiled at his words, a little jealous of his ability to choose his own mode of transportation. “See you tonight.”
“Are you sure?”
“It’s my plan. If it changes, I’ll let you know.”
“Sure thing, little cousin, have a good day.”
I attempted another sip of my coffee as he walked down the hall toward the door. The beep of the buttons upon the keypad and the turning of the tumblers as the door unlocked and opened let me know Patrick’s apartment was safe. And then suddenly my lips sputtered coffee as my throat forgot to swallow. Breaths stilled in my chest and the energy of the once-calm apartment crackled like lightning around me. I forced the hot coffee down as I fumbled with the cup, barely settling it upon the counter as the heavy footsteps belonging to the deep velvet voice I’d just heard grew louder, making their way my direction.
Fight or flight?
I assessed my surroundings. If I ran, where could I go? I contemplated dashing behind the breakfast bar, but decided in the nick of time that it was a juvenile thought and meeting those dazzling blue eyes head-on was better than flight.
My neck straightened as I feigned strength. Let the fight begin.
“Charli.”
Thunder.
Nox’s gaze found me and then scanned the kitchen, momentarily settling upon my coffee and back to me.
“Mr. Demetri,” I said. “Would you like a cup of coffee? I know you like it black.”
He stepped closer. The cloud of woodsy cologne gently replaced the robust French roast.
In one graceful yet powerful move, I was pinned, my hips against his. With one arm around my waist and the other my shoulders, my breasts rubbed against his chest. Fighting the urge to be swallowed by the embrace I’d feared I’d never experience again, I boldly lifted my chin.
His voice was strong and even. “I can’t give you the answer you wanted last night, but not for the obvious reason.”
My mind spun as I pushed back against his hold.
“No,” he replied. “I can’t give you the answer, not because of what it is, but because I’m not ready.”
I pulled back to look deeper into the navy swirls. I recalled the night I’d told Nox I was a Montague, the night he told me not to force any answers, to give them when I was ready in my mind and my heart. He was asking for the same consideration.
I nodded. “I understand.”
His chest deflated as he released his breath.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I told you that I trusted you, but then I left.”
The tips of his lips moved upward as his tone became more demanding. “I’m not letting you go, not now, not ever.” His large hands splayed, pulling his grip of me tighter. “I never should’ve let you leave last night. I should have tied your beautiful body to my bed.”
“Nox—”
His warm lips stopped my rebuttal, seizing my words and dominating my thoughts. A surprised whimper escaped before morphing into a moan, as his hand moved to my neck and his kiss deepened. Fierce and proprietary, his hands roamed as his mouth took what was his. Shamelessly seeking, his tongue didn’t tease but sought its mate. The world around us disappeared as we tangoed—sigh for sigh and nip for nip.
My feet left the floor as my ass landed upon the edge of the counter. I wished I were wearing a dress as my legs surrounded his waist and my ankles locked him within my grasp.
This wasn’t concession but a blatant reassertion of possession, no longer one-sided—Nox wasn’t the client nor was I the employee. We were both demanding something of the other we’d never had. Something we’d skirted around, offered in lighthearted declarations, but learned last night we hadn’t truly given.
This kiss was about becoming one, melding together in a way that was unbreakable, in a way that wouldn’t be threatened by the outside world. Not by accusations or words on a piece of paper. Not by shadows that lurked in my eyes or ghosts in his past. Not even by the devil himself.
As my lips bruised and our ferocity simmered, my eyes fluttered open. Through veiled lashes I sought the blue I desired. Once our gazes met, mine was no longer veiled. My chin rose and chest filled with determination.
“When push came to shove,” I admitted, “I failed.”
His eyes closed as he shook his head. “You weren’t alone. We both did. What else could you have done? I was the one doing the shoving. I didn’t try to stop you.”