It’s something I’ve dreamed about a million times but knew it would never happen. I’m in a state of shock that she said yes.
I’m in a state of shock about a lot of things. Siren is alive. Liesel didn’t shoot her. It was all a game. I’m beginning to think I’m losing this game that Liesel and I are playing. I thought I held the most important cards, but I was wrong. Liesel holds more power and secrets than I could have ever imagined.
My thoughts on changing the game will have to wait. Right now, all I can think about is Liesel.
I wish we had a bed, something I could worship her body and pamper her in. Instead, all I have is a cold, rough floor.
Liesel smiles weakly up at me, and I realize it doesn’t matter where we are. It doesn’t matter the circumstances—all that matters is I have her.
I lean down and kiss her again. Her lips part automatically, and a soft moan purrs into my mouth as I kiss her. I can’t believe how she lets me kiss her without asking, like this is the most natural thing in the world.
But just as the kiss deepens, Liesel pulls away. “What about Phoenix? I won’t help you cheat on your wife. I won’t be the other woman, even for one night. It’s one thing to participate in a wild sex game while you’re married. This is different.”
I knew she’d have doubts about this if I let her think too much. Apparently, my kisses aren’t as powerful as I thought.
I frown. “I don’t love Phoenix. We are married but only out of necessity, not because we have that kind of relationship. Whatever we do tonight or any other night isn’t cheating, and Phoenix knows that.” I wish I could tell her that Phoenix and I aren’t really married, but that would be another lie. And I’m tired of lying to Liesel if I don’t have to.
She hesitates. “I wish I knew why you married her.”
“I wish I could tell you.”
“But you don’t trust me?”
“I trust you more than you realize.”
We stare at each other, our eyes getting glimpses into each other’s souls. I do trust Liesel—and that’s the problem. I trust her when I shouldn’t. I want her when I shouldn’t. I care about her when I shouldn’t.
She grabs the back of my neck and pulls me back into a kiss. This time I know there won’t be any more doubts. There won’t be any more hesitation on either of our parts.
We’ve been so close to this before. So close to crossing beyond kissing. I’ve wanted to touch her, to taste her for so fucking long.
So many times, things have stopped us before. Our history. Our hate. Phoenix. Waylon. That stupid game. Our pride.
There will be no interruptions this time—no one to stop us. I don’t care who is holding us captive. I won’t let them stop us. Nothing can stop me from claiming another part of Liesel that has always been mine.
I devour her lips with everything that I have, ensuring I remember every second, every touch, every warmth of her lips as I kiss her. No one will interrupt us this time, but that doesn’t change our future, our destiny. It doesn’t mean we will end up together. It doesn’t mean our fate has changed. I learned that a long time ago.
I tangle my hand in her hair as I tilt her head back to give me access to her neck. I kiss every inch of her skin and am rewarded with the softest whimpers of pleasure.
Liesel still has her shell up. I’m going to have to do more to break through than just a few kisses. And I’m going to enjoy every moment of persuading her to lower her guard for me, even if it’s just for a moment.
As I kiss down her neck, I instinctively grab the zipper of her jacket. I pull it down to give me access to more of her skin and start kissing down her collarbone before I get a glimpse of her bruises again.
I stop mid-kiss.
“Don’t stop,” Liesel breathes. “Not if the world is on fire. Please, don’t stop.”
That’s all I need.
I know I have to be careful, gentle with her, so I don’t hurt her. I know she’s still going to want control as much as I will need her to give up all of the power to me. But most importantly, I will make her scream my name so loudly that the men who hold us captive will want to check on us to see what happened.
Carefully, I tilt her back sideways in my arms as I resume kissing her collarbone and then down over the curve of her breast, encased with the black fabric of her bra.
She takes slow, shallow breaths, and I can only hear the hint of labored breathing that still consumes her pain.
I run my hands over her arms until I remove the leather jacket from her body. I roll it up and then place it behind her head as I lay her back on the floor.
She shivers as the cool floor hits her back.