Page 23 of Darkest Kiss

Rian exhales like he's been holding his breath since he bought me. “Good. Good girl.”

Ignoring him, I keep moving my toes. The feeling of flexing them is such a relief that I groan. My fingers come next, then my wrists, mobility creeping back up my body in slow degrees. I flex my hands. I turn my head. I feel my face melt into a set expression that I haven't been able to make it do since the convenience store. I press my lips together. I open my mouth.

"Water?" I plead. My voice sounds like I've been screaming for a week. Which, internally, I have.

“Right. Yeah.” Rian leaves the room, coming back with a glass of water and a metal straw. He puts the straw to my lips, seeming fascinated by me.

It gives me a chill, but I drink anyway. I’m so thirsty that I easily drain the entire glass; I’m hot. It’s stifling in here. I fan myself as he gets up and leaves to refill the glass. When he returns, I gulp down another half a glass.

“Can we open a window?” I pluck at my dress, which is sticking to my skin. A drop of sweat rolls down the side of my face.

“We’re in my penthouse, so that’s not an option.” Rian gets up and adjusts the temperature. He seems perfectly cool. I feel like I’m burning.

“Is this the side effect?” I writhe against the pillows. I would strip if I were wearing anything more than a lace dress, but I don’t think it would help anything.

He frowns. “Part of it.”

I pluck the bottom of my top, trying to circulate some air. “Fuck.”

A wave of warmth that builds too fast to track starts low in my stomach. I press my thighs together, confused. My brain, which has been running at full speed since I woke up, starts supplying images I absolutely do not want. Vivid fantasies starring the man currently sitting on the edge of the bed watching me with those pale eyes. Doing naughty things to me… and me enjoying them, very vocally, over and over.

Seriously? I decide I am going to blame the drug for all of this and never revisit it.

“Are you feeling a sense of euphoria?"

I frown. “No…” What I am feeling is that I suddenly can’t stop looking at his hands. Wondering what he gets up to with those long fingers when he’s all alone. Does he make himself feel good? Stoke his cock? I bet so.

My thoughts spiral out of control and humiliation floods me. What is going on with me?

Rian leans closer, putting his hand on my face. I swear, I almost faint as he touches my cheek.

“You’re hot,” he says.

My eyes close for a second. “You think so?”

No man has ever flirted with me like this. Or done it with that low, rough voice. I open my eyes, biting my lip and parting my knees. Rian is looking at me with a little concern.

“Temperature-wise,” he corrects gently. “I think…”

He runs his fingertips down my arm. I shiver, heat making me break out in a sweat. I tilt my head.

I want him to touch me more.

“Noemi.”

“Hm?”

He tenses. “I think you’re feeling the effects of the drugs. They’re like ecstasy, only a whole lot stronger.”

“I’ve never taken any drugs,” I confess. My fingers itch at the hem of my dress again. It’s so hot right now that I’m about to strip naked in front of this stranger. I’m not embarrassed; it’s going to happen.

“I know, pretty girl.”

My hand is between my thighs before I decide to put it there.

It doesn't help. It makes everything significantly worse. The needy yelp I release is one I'd like to formally disown.

"Noemi." His voice is very controlled. “Come here. I can help.”