Breathe You In (Sweet Torment 1)

He nipped my bottom lip, then sucked it gently to ease the sting. My entire body lit up like crackling embers while my blood turned to lava. He wasn’t just kissing me—he was devouring me.

Wanting a deeper draw of him, I rose to my tiptoes, fisting his shirt tighter for balance, and pushed my tongue past his teeth. He growled in response and tilted my head, returning my attentions full force. There was something about this man, something demanding and consuming. I wanted to take everything I could get. Everything he’d give me.

The hand on my back drifted lower. Grabbing my ass, he pulled me into his body. His hardness rubbed against me and my hips shot out of their own accord, seeking more. Fire built and pressure bubbled low in my core. It had been so long since I’d been touched like this…

No. I had never been touched like this.

From the tips of his fingers to the strength of his biceps, his embrace engulfed me. I had thought I felt small in the world before? Standing within his arms, I felt tiny. Feminine. Protected.

I wanted to tell him. To show him how good he felt…

“Governor Reese?” a voice called from behind him.

My eyes snapped open and he released his grip on me, turning to face the person who had interrupted.

“Yes, Andrew?”

“Pardon me, sir, but you’re needed inside.”

He nodded, then faced me. My entire nervous system shut down, and I felt the blood drain from my face as I stared at him in horror.

“Governor?”

He grinned. “Of New York.”

My heart lurched and sped up to an erratic pace, nearly bruising my eardrums with its loud thumping. Now I knew what Paige had been trying to say: governor.

“Meet me at Angelo’s, Wednesday, at eight.” It wasn’t a request, it was a command, and I just stood there, dazed and way, way beyond confused. Though I was frozen in place, my skin was hot and aching. What should I say? What the hell should I do? I just got caught making out with the governor.

Oh, God…

I took off his jacket and handed it to him, then backed up several steps. He put it on, gave it a good tug, and fastened the middle button.

“Pleasure meeting you, Miss Underwood.” He turned and left with the man—Andrew—who’d called him. I watched them walk away, staring at his strong back and broad shoulders, realizing that Andrew had an earpiece in. Security. The governor’s personal security.

Andrew handed him a cloth and judging by his movements, the governor used it to wipe his mouth. The handoff looked practiced, normal.

It hit me hard and painfully: Was this a habit of the governor’s?

Chapter Two

I have one deadline and miss all the fun,” Hazel said, putting her laptop on the coffee table and crisscrossing her legs on the couch. Her black hair was fastened in a messy bun on the top of her head, and her dark-rimmed glasses complemented her cute face and chipper tone.

“How’s the writing coming?” I asked, walking through the front door with Paige and kicking my heels off.

“Almost done. Gotta love grad school papers,” she groaned. “Speaking of loving things, sounds like you had an interesting night.” Hazel winked.

I turned to scowl at Paige, who was hanging her jacket on the coatrack.

“What?” Paige sounded guilty. “I texted her on the way home.”

“Of course,” I muttered.

“So you sucked face with a congressman?” Hazel’s smile was so big our small apartment could barely contain it.

“Governor,” Paige clarified. “And I told you to bat your eyes, not swallow tongue.”

“I didn’t know who he was,” I protested. “He seemed so casual and—”