The Payback (Team Zulu 2)

“Whatever’s going on inside that gorgeous head of yours, let it go.”

She sniffled. “I wish I could.”

There was only one way I could think of to help with that. When Sage’s eyes shifted to my mouth, it made me wonder if we were on the same wavelength. We sat close. Closer than I’d realized, because Sage had leaned toward me, too.

Fuck, she was beautiful. Long dark tresses framing alabaster skin. Despite her tragic past, there was an innocence about her large brown eyes and the thick lashes surrounding them. I could get lost for days staring into their depths. But it was her lips I couldn’t stop thinking about as she moistened them. Full and naturally pink, they were a delicious temptation made for all manner of sinful things.

Slowly, I pushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear, stealing a moment to savor her smooth skin by caressing the gentle curve of her jaw.

And then, with a single look, she undid me. The sudden flush blooming across her cheeks, the sharp inhale as her lips parted, and the flaring of her pupils as though no one had ever touched her that way before.

Sage’s breaths quickened as I made up the small distance between us, but she didn’t back away. “What are you doing?” she asked when my lips were mere inches from hers.

I paused my advance. “It’s called a kiss, Sage. People sometimes do it for pleasure, and the oxytocin release can be very relaxing.”

She licked her lips, which was absolutely the wrong thing to do since I was barely holding back from claiming them. “Maybe we shouldn’t,” she said. “It could be a terrible idea.”

“On the contrary, I think it’s an excellent idea and exactly what you need to get out of your head for a while. Besides, don’t you want to try it once to satisfy your curiosity?”

Sage moved back. “Who says I’m curious?”

“Tell me you’re not.”

There was a beat of silence where I was certain she’d deny it, but then she responded. “Maybe a little.” She shifted her position. “If we do this, there have to be…conditions.”

“Conditions?” I arched a brow. “For a kiss?”

She lifted one shoulder and flashed me a look of indifference. “Take it or leave it, big guy.”

“Fine. I agree to all of them.”

Sage huffed. “I’m being serious here.”

“I apologize. Go ahead. Deliver your terms.”

“First of all”—she held up one finger—“this is a one-off thing. It doesn’t mean you can stick your tongue in my mouth whenever you feel like it.”

“Disappointing, but all right.”

“Second. We don’t let things get weird between us afterward. We’re working well together, so let’s keep it that way.”

I nodded. “Agreed.”

“And finally, you can’t remind me of this moment and use it to humiliate me. Ever.” She gave me a hard look.

“Those all sound very reasonable. Can we begin now?”

She rolled her shoulders and took a deep breath. “Okay. I’m ready.” She squeezed her lids shut.

“It’s a kiss, Sage. Not a visit to the dentist.”

One eye opened a fraction before closing again. “I know that. Hurry up before I change my mind.”

“You’re cute when you’re nervous.” I swept Sage’s hair over one shoulder, allowing my knuckles to caress the delicate skin of her collarbone. A tremor passed through her as I leaned in closer.

She wiped her palms on her jeans. “I’m not nervous. I’m just—”

I pressed my lips to hers. The kiss was featherlight, just to test the waters. Whenever Sage gave me a small part of herself, it felt like a precious gift. I cherished each one. But this one…this one was special. I reminded myself to take things slowly and enjoy the moment as much as I hoped Sage did. This was our first kiss. It might also be our last.