Loyal Heir (The Heirs 4)

I let out a bark of laughter. “And give away my trade secrets. No way.”

Her shoulders slump, and she looks a little sad. “But why is it always like that? Why can’t I meet a guy who gives me toe-curling kisses? I want to feel sparks when our hands touch. I want to feel an explosion in my stomach when he looks at me.” She lets out a hopeless sigh. “Damn, it would be great if the sex lasted long enough for me to orgasm as well.”

“Whoa,” I let out a chuckle. This conversation is heading into forbidden territory. “Time for you to sleep.”

Aria shakes her head, and then her brows knit together, and the expression on her face is a mixture of worry and sadness. “Maybe it’s me? Maybe I’m broken, or too inexperienced?”

“There’s nothing wrong with you,” I answer with certainty. Knowing she thinks there’s something wrong with her makes an ache ripple through my heart.

Her gaze meets mine. “You said we should practice. Maybe you can teach me how to kiss? I mean, if I know how to do it right, that should solve half the problem. Right?”

Cocking my head to the side, I frown at her. “You want to practice now?”

She nods. “Now’s as good a time as any.”

I stare at her for a couple of seconds, thinking over what she’s asking. Maybe if we practice the kissing thing, Aria will feel better about herself. Also, she’ll be relaxed, and it won’t be too awkward.

“Come on,” she says, excitement flashing over her face as she climbs onto her knees and scoots closer to me. “Let’s practice.”

Shrugging, I mutter. “Okay. How do you want to do this?”

Frowning, she asks, “What do you mean?”

“Are you going to kiss me, or should I kiss you?” I explain.

There’s zero hesitation as she grins at me. “You kiss me.”

“Okay.” I let out a deep breath as I lean a little closer to her.

“Wait!” I instantly pause. Her eyes are glued to mine. “You have to tell me if I suck at it. Okay?”

“Okay.” I wait a couple of seconds, and when she patiently waits for me, I lift my hand to her face and cup her cheek. I lean closer until our breaths begin to mingle. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah,” she whispers, and I feel the burst of air.

Aria is fucking beautiful, in an ethereal kind of way. She’s smart, kind, and perfect. Just because we’re best friends, it doesn’t mean I don’t see how amazing she is. Deep down, I know it would be easy to fall in love with her, but I keep pushing that thought way down.

I hesitate for a moment but then press my mouth to Aria’s. At first, I kiss her as if it’s a quick happy birthday kiss, but then Aria’s lips move against mine.

I slip my hand down to the back of her neck and tentatively let my lips caress hers.

The kiss stays in the safe zone until Aria pushes up on her knees and wraps her arms around my neck. I’m about to pull back when her tongue brushes against my lower lip.

I should tuck her into bed.

I should get up and leave her to sleep.

Instead, my lips part, allowing Aria’s tongue to break one of the few rules we agreed to earlier, as it slips into my mouth.

A mixture of alcohol and something sweet hits my tastebuds. Aria’s subtle flowery scent wraps around me, and then her tongue brushes along mine.

I wrap my other arm around her waist and pull her tightly against my chest, and then I lose control over the kiss.

If I even had control to begin with.

My heartbeat speeds up as the kiss grows in intensity. I forget she’s my best friend, and my body takes over, recognizing her as all woman – one that’s a sexy siren who’s putting me under her spell.

Our tongues dance, and our lips massage and nip at each other’s, filling me with a hunger I haven’t felt before.

Then Aria lets out a needy moan, and it instantly clears my head. Yanking away, I break the kiss, and Aria slumps back into a sitting position. There’s a look of wonder on her face as she tries to catch her breath.

Lifting her hand, she touches her fingers to her lips. “Wow,” she whispers, almost awestruck. “Did you feel that, or was it just me?”

“Nope,” I struggle to answer her through my own rapid breathing. “Felt it.”

“So, there’s nothing wrong with me? Right?” She gives me a grin that’s filled with so much relief.

“Yeah, like I told you earlier. You’re fine.”

Needing to process the confusion in me, I stand up and clear my throat. “Night, Aria.”

“Sweet dreams,” she calls after me as I leave her room.

I rush to my bathroom, and turning on the shower, I strip out of my clothes and step under the spray of water. I brush a hand over my hair as I tilt my face up to the drops.