Page 52 of Cruel Hearts

We were about to leave when Orlando placed a hand against the doorframe. “You still owe me a Christmas kiss.”

I tilted my head to the side and let my gaze fall on his full, smiling lips. “Was the one I gave you that unforgettable?”

“Mr. Burgh interrupted us.” He wrapped both arms around my waist and drew me close. “How about it, Lilah? One little kiss goodnight?”

A flock of butterflies took flight in my stomach, knocking my frozen heart off its pedestal. Nothing about the twinkle in Orlando’s hazel eyes said that the kiss would be little. Or that he would stop at one.

I ran my tongue over my bottom lip, reveling in how Orlando tracked the movement with eyes hungry enough to devour me whole.

Would I tell him to fuck off or would I stand on my tiptoes and give him a peck?

Chapter 19

Without meaning to, my hands rose, and I pressed my palms against Orlando’s chest. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to push him away or give his hard pecs a grope. “Why?”

“Why what?” Orlando edged forward, giving me a better handful. His heart beat as rapidly as mine.

“Why should I let you anywhere near me?” The hypocrisy in my words slapped me upside the head like a wet fish, but I wanted him to sweat before I gave in to his advances.

“Because you’re the most exciting girl I’ve ever met.” He pressed a kiss on the tip of my nose. “Because you drive me crazy. Because I want to prove to you that we’re not a bunch of bastards.”

My brows rose. “I had no idea kisses were admissible in the court of Lilah.”

“I could plead my case to the judge’s pussy?”

Arousal surged between my legs. “I’m not fucking you.”

Orlando shook his head. “Just my tongue. Nothing more.”

“Why should I believe you?”

“I’ve never pushed for more in the past, and I won’t this time.” His lips landed on mine in a kiss that sent sparks of pleasure racing to my clit. “Let me worship at the altar of Lilah until you cum all over my face.”

At those words, the muscles of my core clenched. Hard. I’d suffered an outrageous amount of dry spells since breaking up with Sammy, and my lady garden was parched for attention. “If this is a trick—”

“It isn’t.” He grabbed my hand and placed it on his hard, pulsing dick. “See how much I want you.”

I gave it a gentle whack. “Don’t act like you’re incapable of having an erection while plotting a girl’s downfall. I still haven’t forgotten about the hidden cameras.”

“Lilah.” His groan was deep enough to give me a low-down tingle.

“What?”

“Every time one of us has screwed you over, it’s backfired.” He pressed a kiss on my forehead. I was about to tell him that Maxwell had succeeded, but he spoke first. “Max got the furthest with you, and now look at him. He got beaten up by your ex and now you occupy his every thought.”

I rolled my eyes. “Really.”

Orlando cupped the side of my face. “He’s fallen hard. You’re addictive.”

I glanced away. That was the second time someone had mentioned his feelings for me. The third if Maxwell himself was to be believed.

“So, I’m like crack, then?”

Orlando smirked. “Worshipping at the crack of Lilah?”

“Don’t be a dick.”

“Are you going to let me finish what we started at Christmas or not?”