“Twelve. Eleven. Ten.”
Somewhere in the back of his mind he registered the countdown beginning. With his heart pounding wildly in his chest, he watched as Aaron diverted his gaze for a second time, but this time, didn’t look back.
They’d been playing this dumb cat-and-mouse game for the last week. It was too much. Fuck the consequences. He wanted Aaron Stuart. Hell, he couldn’t even think straight anymore, because every single thought he had was centered on that man who was back to pretending to ignore him.
“Nine. Eight. Seven.”
The voices rang out in unison. Kreed pushed away from the wall and stalked across the room. He had a single-minded purpose, barely noticing all the happy couples waiting for the stroke of midnight as he passed them by.
“Six. Five. Four.”
Aaron held a plate in one hand and a drink in the other. The guy sat on the barstool, his head turned, facing the television as he chomped on a piece of ice. Kreed kept going. Within a foot of his target, Kreed reached for the plate, startling Aaron, who looked at him but didn’t move. He dropped it on the counter behind Aaron as he threaded his fingers through Aaron’s hair.
“Three. Two. One. Happy New Year!”
Loud cheers erupted throughout the house. Out of the corner of his eye he caught the fireworks on the TV in the distance. The symbolism wasn’t lost on him. He had a feeling those fireworks were about to explode inside his own head. Kreed didn’t give caution to anyone around him, his only focus was on Aaron.
He pulled Aaron’s head back and stared deeply into his startled eyes. Kreed knew the exact moment when surprise shifted to hunger, and Kreed descended, crushing his mouth to Aaron’s. The big bang came seconds later when Aaron’s cup slipped to the floor, his lips parted, and he slid his tongue forward. The ice cube Aaron had been chewing melted quickly as their tongues met and tangled. The sensation of Aaron’s cold tongue exploring his heated mouth sent a wave of excitement through Kreed as he deepened the kiss.
Chapter 17
The whoops and hollers registered once he came up for air. His mouth moved from Kreed’s lips, along that prominent jaw, to his neck. God, Kreed smelled so good. Aaron was on his feet, not exactly sure how that had happened. But he’d never forget the look in Kreed’s eyes as those strong fingers had gripped his hair the moment before Kreed’s full lips pressed against his. The kiss had been so unexpected, searing and intense. Aaron hadn’t had time to do anything but accept it. Welcome it.
Kreed’s lips were possessive and demanding, everything he’d dreamed they’d be and so much more. Aaron didn’t know if he should move or remain in place. He pressed his mouth to Kreed’s neck, giving him another kiss while inhaling his intoxicatingly spicy scent before pulling back. Or at least he tried. Kreed had wrapped around him so completely Aaron could do little more than hold on. Kreed had him trapped in place, pressing him backward over the counter as his tongue slid around the shell of his ear.
“Don’t stop, church boy. I like your mouth on me,” Kreed whispered in the ear he’d just licked, his hot breath cooling rapidly against Aaron’s wet skin. A shiver slid down his spine and landed in his balls. His cock jumped at Kreed’s words, eager for him to keep doing just as Kreed insisted. Aaron had no intention of stopping. He could explore Kreed and sample his skin forever. His hips rolled forward, grinding firmly into Kreed, who was hard and ready. The growl Kreed let loose was wicked and full of tempting promises, much like the man in his arms. From the small taste he’d gotten, he knew precisely why Kreed’s nickname was Sin.
Jesus, why had he denied himself this? What a fool.
“Get a room. Midnight kisses ended like…fifteen minutes ago.” That was Colt’s voice and Aaron didn’t give a fuck where they were, he never wanted this to end, but Kreed went rigid in his arms. No, not in the way he would have liked, but instead the deputy marshal stopped the exploration of lips on his neck and loosened his hold, pulling Aaron to an upright position. Kreed hadn’t backed away when he withdrew from the kiss. His handsome face remained close to Aaron’s, not even an inch of space separated them as Kreed’s eyes searched his. Aaron felt desire pouring off Kreed, and this time, he didn’t shy away. He took in the need swirling in Kreed’s eyes and allowed the emotion to burrow deep inside his heart. In this minute, with that kiss… Yeah, this was a game changer—one he didn’t want to fight. Aaron lifted his hand, running his palm over Kreed’s cheek, caressing across those full, soft lips with his thumb.
“We should go,” Kreed said quietly, still staring at him. Oh hell yeah, they should go. As far as he was concerned, they were wasting time. He nodded his agreement. It had been so long since he’d had sex. As Aaron moved his hands toward Kreed’s waist, his fingers lightly skimmed that hard, well-defined stomach he’d seen earlier that day. Yeah, they absolutely needed to go—maybe as far as the closest hotel room.
Kreed finally turned his head, breaking that mesmerizing bond, though his body was still pressed tightly against Aaron’s, keeping him in place. The entire party became unusually quiet. Aaron moved his head to the side, angling to look around Kreed.
Maybe he’d acted a little overeager. Every eye in the place was locked on them. His grip on Kreed’s waist tightened as he fought the incredible desire coursing through his veins.
Haley was still near him. He’d liked her so much and she was smiling at him. Heat creeped up his face, but he shouldn’t feel embarrassed. She’d been encouraging this very thing for about the last hour and a half.
“I need to talk to him in private before we leave. Do you have an office, something like that?” Kreed asked. Aaron didn’t know if Kreed’s question was directed at either Colt or Jace, because they were both standing side by side nearby. Aaron felt Mitch standing close by as well, but he couldn’t quite make eye contact with him yet. He was pretty sure Mitch wouldn’t be too happy about him playing tonsil hockey with his partner.