Page 77 of Lethal Attraction

Maybe it’s the desperation inside of me that calls to her, or even the intensity of these growing emotions, but it’s what causes me to nod in agreement slowly. If what she needs is full control, then it’s hers. She can take everything and I’ll fucking thank her for it.

Her thumb brushes over my skin tenderly. “You have no idea what you’ve just done.”

“I know plenty,” I say, but it sounds unsure even to my own ears. I take her wrist in my hand before turning my face into her palm and placing a kiss on her skin—the same appendage possibly used to kill someone.

It’s a silent declaration.

I’m not going anywhere.

A phone rings, cutting through our moment as Thalia’s jaw twinges and she takes a step back. I lose her heat in seconds, and I have to physically stop myself from reaching out for her as she answers the call.

“Uh, huh,” she hums, staring at me with a look that teeters on contemplation. “I’m coming.”

She ends the call before pocketing her phone and turning away from me. “This is your last chance, Reed.”

There’s something in her voice—an edge of sadness that makes my chest squeeze. She expects me to come to my senses and reject her right here. She’s preparing herself for a mental strike of her character, but that’s not me. That’s not us.

Instead, I reach out fast, snatch her wrist, and drag her back to me before curling my fingers into her hair. At her sudden gasp, I take the opening and slam my lips to hers with so much passion that our teeth narrowly miss each other. It takes a moment for the shock to wear off before she becomes pliant against me.

Everything morphs and moves within this moment—the emotions, our connection, and the desire shared between us. It’s so intense when mixed with the taste of her that when I finally do pull away, I feel drunk.

“Be safe,” I whisper.

From what? I’m not sure…

She tucks her lips in before nodding. “I should be telling you that.”

I release a breathless chuckle as I tuck her hair behind her ear. “We’ll look after each other, okay?”

Surprise flickers in her gaze. “Really?”

“Yes. We’re in this together.”

Her eyes turn glassy, causing my heart to trip. “I’ve never had anyone besides my family…”

I tilt her head up, chasing those enchanting blue pools. “And now you do.”

She gives me a small, wobbly smile before stepping back. “I have to go.”

“I know.”

She quickly wipes at her cheeks before the first tear can fall. “If you don’t show up, I’ll understand.”

“Not gonna happen, Little Devil.”

And just like that, all life returns to her at that nickname. She gets some color back into her cheeks as she offers me a smirk. “Just promise me you’ll listen when things get out of hand.”

I nod once. “I’m yours to control.”

The space between us stretches into something profound—a promise that won’t be broken. She’s giving me the full truth and allowing me into this part of her life. She may expect me to tuck tail and run the other way, but I have every plan to show my girl that I’m not going anywhere.

Chapter twenty-one

Reed

Istraighten my tie for the fourth time in the last thirty minutes, making Taryn groan from beside me. She fixes her red sequin gown over her crossed legs before nudging me harshly in my side.

“Ouch.”