Page 35 of Hex Appeal

We kiss until I'm not sure how long we've been standing there. Until neither of us is laughing anymore. Until the teasing gives way to something hungrier.

My hand moves along her thigh. I slide it up between her legs, under her skirt. Her breath catches. I stop.

Her eyes meet mine.

“Okay?” “Yes.”

I kiss her again. Slower this time. Then I find the heat of her and stroke.

I pay attention to every little reaction—the way she grips my shoulders, the way her breathing changes, the way she presses closer when I touch her exactly where she wants me.

Whatever this is, I don't want to rush it.

I want to learn her.

And when she finally breaks against me, trembling and breathless, I hold her through it. Her forehead drops against my shoulder.

For several seconds, the only sound in the production room is our breathing.

I press my mouth to her temple.

I don't know why. The gesture feels more intimate than anything else we've done.

That should probably scare me. Instead, I do it again.

Serena laughs softly.

“What?”

“I was just thinking.”

“That’s always dangerous.”

She pinches my side.

I laugh. Actually laugh.

She lifts her head. And stares at me.

“What?” I ask.

“You laughed. I've never heard it.”

“And?”

“You should do it more often.”

Her smile turns softer. I smooth one wild curl away from her face. Her eyes search mine.

Something has changed. I can feel it.

This isn't just attraction anymore. Maybe it never was. This is the start of something more.

She kisses me again. This time it's gentle. No urgency. No teasing.

Just her mouth against mine.

When she pulls away, she keeps her arms around my neck. “You know… We don't have to stop.”