I inhaled Stella’s soft gasp like it was my last ounce of oxygen, and a groan worked its way up my throat at her sweet taste.
It was barely a kiss. We hadn’t even moved, yet our brief contact consumed me.
The air in my lungs, the beat in my heart.
In that moment, Stella was the only thing that existed.
I breathed her in. Exhaled. And pulled back.
We stared at each other.
Our almost kiss had lasted no more than a fraction of a minute, yet we were both flushed and panting like we’d run a marathon.
Surprise and something weightier darkened her eyes into emerald pools.
“Christian…” The sound of my name on her shallow breath poured lust straight into my veins.
My groin tightened.
I couldn’t believe I had a hard-on after a few seconds of chaste contact, yet here we were.
“Our first business meeting is next week. Come prepared.” I rolled up my sleeves, my cool voice at odds with the flames licking my skin. When did it get so fucking hot in here? “Good night, Stella.”
I left before she could respond.
Every molecule of my body demanded I stay and finish what I’d started, but it was too soon. Someone broke into her house yesterday, for God’s sake.
Still, when I stepped into my bathroom and turned the water as cold as it would go, the burn in my blood remained.
* * *
March 31
I…
What. Just. Happened.