Forever You're Mine (MINE #4)(13)

I searched for the will to stop, to think, to do anything aside from worship her perfect mouth, but my will was long gone.

She stole it from me the moment her lips met mine.





If you don’t know where you are going,

any road will get you there.

~Lewis Carroll





I’ve been kissed. Quite a few times. And quite thoroughly I might add. But I don’t think I have ever been kissed quite like this. Nope, pretty sure this was a first. The hottest, best kiss of my life was happening at a damn rest stop of all places, but it couldn’t be more perfect.

His controlled fingers wrapped firmly around the base of my neck, caressing my skin with his guidance, his dominance, stealing my breath with every thrust of his delicious tongue, branding the deepest part of me with this fire starting kiss.

Sleeping with him would be a wrecking experience. I nearly died when he showed me his…I don’t even know what to call it. It was on a whole other level. The piercing…sweet Lord…was it even safe? The man was packing a loaded weapon in his jeans. I’d heard the rumors, but never expected them to be true. My face flushed thinking about how bad I wanted to touch it. Or was it because his strong fingers were now wrapped firmly around my breast.

Oh my God, is this really happening?

My hands met the wall of his chest, tearing his lips from mine. His large body heaved for air as he struggled to open his heavy eyes. “What?” The strain in his voice had my thighs clenching.

Damn, this was going to be harder than I thought, because holy shit my lips belonged on his.

“We’re in a parking lot,” I nodded to an elderly couple walking hand in hand down the sidewalk, eyeing us suspiciously.

Cannon gave them a friendly wave. “Pretty sure they’ve made out in a truck before.” They returned his wave with a knowing smile and continued walking.

Now that I had a firm grip on my sanity, I addressed the next issue at hand. “Cannon, we just kissed.” His breath had calmed, but the intensity in his eyes proved he was still worked up. His appetite for me was ferocious. I could almost taste his need.

I wondered if he could taste mine.

“I know. I wanna do it again.” he said and I knew I would let him. I wanted him.

I’d always wanted him.

“Me too,” I confessed.

“Stop starin’ at my dick like that. Otherwise you’ll find yourself at the other end of it. And I won’t give a f*ck who sees.”

I quickly faced forward, nowhere near ready for any of that. Cannon put the truck in gear and merged back onto the highway. There were no words spoken, only the faint sound of Sam Hunt and my racing heart. What had we done? What did this mean?

He didn’t speak until mile marker 413. “What are you thinkin’ about over there?”

“Lots of things,” I said, trying to get my mind to slow down.

“Wanna clue me in?”

“Why’d you kiss me, Cannon? You didn’t even let me accept the dare. I didn’t want to kiss you.”

An irritated thumb tapped the wheel. “You didn’t have a choice. Besides, I know a willing mouth when I taste one. Don’t lie to me. You want me as bad as I want you. We’ve been dancin’ around this shit forever, Cora” he said with complete confidence, his eyes narrowing at me before he swung them back to the road.

“What’s the problem here? You had to know this was bound to happen.” he said.

Did I?





N0.


Crossing the line had never been an option because losing him was out of the question. “This changes everything,” I said nervously.

“Got that right.”

When we arrived at the State prison, Cannon escorted me inside. Even though I told him he didn’t have to, he insisted anyway. I’d been to visit Winston many times on my own, but I appreciated the gesture nonetheless.

I had no idea what to make of our kiss, or the fact he wanted to do it again. I tried not to think about it as I made my way through the visitor’s process, but I swear I could still feel the tingle on my lips and I could definitely still smell his cologne on my hands.

Less than 15 minutes later, I was sitting in front of my big brother, trying to hold back the burning tears in my eyes. Three months looked like three years on his face and it took all I had not to throw myself into his arms and never let go, but we weren’t allowed to touch. “It’s good to see you, baby girl,” he said, his voice torn and haggard.

My heart ached to touch him. I drew my eyes to the guard who watched us closely and twisted my fingers in my lap. “You too.”

He looked so different. He looked so…resigned.

Don’t break down, Cora!

Resting his chained hands in front of him, he shifted in his seat.

“You get the car fixed?”

I shook my head. “My friend, Cannon brought me.”

He ran an irritated hand over his shaved head, hazel eyes clashing with mine. “Why, Cora?”

I shrugged, lowering my eyes with the weight of his stare. “I can’t afford it.”

“You would if you would stop throwing it all away.”

We had the same argument every time I came to visit. He’d accepted his fate ten years ago.

I never would.