The deep rumble resonated through my body. His lips were full and soft. He tasted of mint, rich chocolate and sin.
My heart dipped into my stomach and my head swam. We stayed like this for a second, both of us surprised by my impulsive action.
One heartbeat. Thud.
Two heartbeats. Thud. Thud.
His scent surrounded me; his taste engulfed me.
Killian nipped my lower lips, teasingly. The gentle bite stung and I whimpered.
My eyes fluttered closed as Killian lowered his body atop of mine, pushing me back into the hay. He clutched the back of my neck as he deepened the kiss, fiercely and almost obsessively. As if he had hungered for me for a decade. Like he had been dying to do just that for the longest time. To kiss me.
To devour me.
He licked the seams of my lips and I gasped, which opened my mouth for him. His tongue slid inside, tasting me. I burned for him, my body melting into his solid strength, and I was weak and powerless.
A woman full of need. I craved Killian Spencer.
I had never been kissed before and had nothing to compare to this moment – but this kiss, it was everything.
His lips on mine.
His body against mine.
His need reflecting my own.
Killian swallowed my moan and breathed into my mouth, feeding me his taste. It wasn’t just a nest of butterflies in my stomach. It was the whole damn zoo, while my heart was torn.
My body was no longer my own as I curled my arms around the back of his neck. My tongue met his, inexperienced and tentative. His tongue tangled with mine and then he used his teeth, biting down on my swollen lips.
I was starved for him and he kissed me like he was a warrior who had just come from a bloody battle and I was his prize.
Killian brutalized my lips and the kiss turned feral.
Sweet hell.
The inside of my thighs was coated with lust for him and I squeezed my legs together, trying to alleviate the intense ache between them. My hips arched up, involuntarily rocking against his. His hard length dug between the juncture of my thighs.
“Grace,” he groaned.
That did it. As if cold water had been dumped over my head, I froze. My brain scurried, chasing the haze away.
What have I done?
My eyes snapped open and I gasped, pushing against Killian’s chest.
He pulled back, our lips finally finding reprieve from each other. His dark gaze, intense and burning with desires, landed on mine. His black hair was tousled and he licked his lips, deliberately slow, as if to taste the remnant of our kiss.
Guilt slashed through me, like a sharp blade cutting my flesh open. I bled, with agony coursing through my cold veins.
I exhaled, my chest rattling with a shudder. “We shouldn’t have–”
Killian pressed his index finger to my swollen lips, effectively shutting me up. “Don’t regret this now, Grace.”
My eyes squeezed shut as he said that name – her name.
His lips whispered over the corner of my mouth and then along my jaw, a featherlight touch. “Please,” he said, his voice deep and thick like sweet molasses.
“I don’t regret it.” I lied between my teeth.
I felt his smile on my skin. “Good. Because I want to do it again. Not today. You already look well ravished and I don’t want to scare you away.”
“You can’t scare me away,” I breathed, my eyes fluttering open.
It is me who will scare you away. My truth will.
Killian pulled me up and he let out a deep chuckle, picking the hay out of my hair. “Jesus, I’m a mess,” I grumbled under my breath.
“I quite approve of you being a mess, Miss Romano,” he rasped, with a pleased look on his handsome face. “Especially since I’m responsible for it.”
I patted my rumpled dress, making sure I was decent enough. “And you’re a rogue, Mr. Spencer.”
Killian raked his fingers through my wild, platinum-blonde hair, before curling a strand around his index finger. “Your hair… was the first thing that captured my attention. It’s such a light blonde, it’s almost white when the sunlight catches it.”
Bringing the curled strand to his nose, he inhaled. “And it smells like strawberry.”
“It’s my shampoo,” I said, my voice quaking.
Killian’s lips curled up into a crooked grin. “I have a newfound appetite for strawberries.”
He released my hair and I licked my lips, taking a step back away from him. “I have to go now.”
Killian gave me a slight bow. “Good day, Miss Romano.”
“Good day, Killian.”
I spun around and ran.
I didn’t stop until I bolted through the door of my room and crashed onto my bed. Shoving my face into my pillows.
A wounded scream spilled from my throat.
And for the first time since I met Killian Spencer, a lonely tear slid down my cheek.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
THE PAST
Julianna
I sat on my bed, wringing my hands on my lap while my sister paced back and forth.