I shouldn’t do it. I need to keep my mouth shut and let her take that glass of wine and drown herself in it.

Keep your damn mouth shut, Reaperman. You don’t need this. She’s a fucking mess. This isn’t the sort of complication you need in your life. Don’t do it.

“I can think of something that will take the edge off better than that wine or a pillow fight.”

Shit, I said it.

Her head whips around, and she walks right up to me.

Expecting her to slap me, I still when she fists her fingers in my hair and whispers in my ear, “I thought you’d never offer.”

9. Carolina

Chapter 9

Carolina

I wasn’t expecting him to offer, or angling for it, but the minute he said that line, with his voice rougher than usual, I knew.

I wanted it.

Wanted him.

He’s not my type. Jade is right—he’s a lit Molotov cocktail, but so am I. If we’re going to explode, might as well do it together.

For a moment, he stills. It's a brief second in time. I saw a video once where a panther was stalking its prey and just before it pounced, it paused, no movement whatsoever.

But just like that panther, Samuel doesn't stay still for long. His big hand snakes around the back of my neck and cups my throat. It's warm and solid, and he uses it to angle me the way he wants me.

His lips crash down on mine, and there's nothing tentative or tender in his kiss. It's an all-out assault on my senses. He claims my mouth in a way that makes my legs go weak. His lips press against mine, and he licks the seam of my mouth, demanding entrance. I part for him and let him in. He tastes faintly of mint and a hint of sugar, which I imagine must be from the cola. God, I bet I taste of wine. I'm going to clean my teeth before this goes much further.

The next moment all rational thought leaves me as his tongue sweeps inside and lays waste to my defenses. I'm not surprised this man was in the Armed Forces because he's conquered me like a marauding army taking new territory. And this is only the beginning. Only a kiss.

He walks me backward until I hit the counter behind me. His thumb strokes over the side of my throat and caresses the artery there. His other hand fastens around my waist, resting on my hip and holding me in place.