Page 84 of Lost & Found

I couldn’t help the laughter that followed. Her eyes jerked to mine, and her face erupted into a huge grin, damn near knocking me off my feet. Fuck, she was beautiful when she smiled.

“It’s going to be fine. You’ve been around her before. I believe in you,” I offered.

“Thanks,” she said, shifting from one foot to the other.

There was a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes, but her shoulders were squared with the determination I knew she possessed. I could tell she had something she wanted to discuss.

She gestured to the bed, and my eyes followed the movement. She’d laid out clothes for me. I cocked an eyebrow in her direction and lifted my gaze. A warmth spread through my chest.

She took a deep breath and said, “I hope you don’t mind. I figured we’d probably snap a few photos like most couples do, and I wanted a certain look.”

I walked over to the clothes and picked up the T-shirt. It was a standard black V-neck, thin and tapered. It would mold to my body and show off my muscles, not to mention the hint of my tattoo at the neckline. On top of the black jeans was a pair of boxer briefs. Socks and shoes were neatly placed next to the bed. She’d thought of everything.

“I’d also like to discuss something before we head out.”

“Of course,” I said, “let’s hear it.”

Her face flushed, and she looked away for a quick second before turning her eyes my way once more. “It’s stupid, really.”

Once more, my curiosity was piqued, but I waited for her to elaborate.

“It’s about kissing. What if we have to?”

“Have to or want to?”

“Pasha,” she warned.

“Isabella, we’re both adults. We’ve kissed before.”

“I know,” she breathed, gulping as she brought her fingers to her lips.

“It’s not complicated. If you’re asking my permission to kiss me at will, you have it. Did I push you away last night?”

She shook her head.

“We can pretend we’re actors on stage.”

“I don’t know why I phrased it that way. It’s not like your friends expect us to make out in front of them. I’m overthinking things.”

“Did you want to practice a bit?”

“Pra-practice?” she squeaked.

“Yeah, it’s been a minute. We wouldn’t want to be awkward with it, right? Or seem unprepared?”

If we were going to sell this, we couldn’t hesitate. And if I was being honest? I didn’t want to. I dropped the T-shirt back on the bed and stalked toward her. The closer I got, the rounder her eyes became.

Her breath hitched as I looked down at her. Leaning in, I pulled her into my arms. My calloused fingers brushed against the smooth skin of her tanned arms.

I pushed her hair back and whispered in her ear, “Just know if I initiate, it will always start like this.” My lips trailed from her delicate skin behind her ear to her cheek before softly kissing her on the lips. “And it will always end like this,” I said, my voice low and husky before surrendering to the temptation. “Fuck.”

My mouth captured hers, slow at first, then deeper. She gasped into the kiss, parting for me like a good girl. I took my time, but then her fingers tightened on my shoulder—nails digging in just the slightest. Desire danced up and down my spine as I hungrily kissed her.

A soft groan accompanied her surrender, and my head exploded as the memory of her taste rushed back to me. This was sweeter, the time before both of us were wrapped up in darkness.

Almost on instinct, she clung to me, sending a rush of need sailing directly down to my dick, the towel rising as my erection did. Mindful of that fact, I pulled away and released her.

“What do you think? Awkward?”