“I never claimed to be,” he says. He reaches out, his fingers hovering just inches from my jaw. He doesn't touch me, but the heat from his skin makes my pulse leap. “But you’re not as ‘good’ as you think you are either, Atara. I saw the way you looked at me on the cliff. And I see the way you’re looking at me now.”
“I-I’m looking at you with professional disdain,” I lie.
“Is that what it is?” He smirks. It’s a dark, wicked thing. “Because it looks a lot like the way a woman looks at a man she’s been thinking about all night.”
I feel the blood drain from my face.Does he know? Can he see the dream on my face?
“Are you crazy? I haven't been thinking about you,” I say, my voice trembling. “I’ve been thinking about the Atlantic. And how I’m going to get a refund for the second half of this trip.”
“I can pay for your trip,” he says.
“I don't want your money.” I roll my eyes. Are all rich guys this annoying?
“I know you don’t. That’s why I’m going to offer you something else.”
He takes a final step, closing the distance. He’s towering over me now, a wall of ink and muscle and dangerous intent. He reaches out, his thumb finally grazing my jawline, tilting my face up to his.
His touch is electric, and I gasp. It’s exactly like the dream, only more intense because he’s actuallyhere.
“You shouldn't be here, Atara,” he says, his eyes searching mine. “A girl like you should be as far away from a man like me as possible.”
“Then why did you invite me to breakfast?” I breathe, my heart stopping in my chest.
He leans down, his lips brushing against my ear. I can feel the vibration of his voice in my skull.
“Because I’m a selfish man,” he whispers. “And ever since you stood on that cliff and looked at me like I was nothing, I’ve been able to think about exactly one thing.”
He pulls back just enough to look me in the eye.
“I want you,” he says.
The world stops.
I can’t breathe. I can’t move. The tea in my stomach feels like lead, and the dream in my head feels like a prophecy.
“W-what?” I whisper.
What the hell is going on? He wants me l?? Fuck yes! Yes, yes, no… no! No, Atara!
I should say no. I should stand up, throw my napkin at him, and walk out. But all I can think about is his tongue. All I can think about is the metal clinking against the headboard.
And for the first time in my very logical, very structured life, I think: Why not? Mark is gone. Why can’t I just… have some fun? Because the truth is, annoying and arrogant as he is… I want him too.
Maybe it’s time to let my hair down a little.
4
Lorcan
Her breath hitches, a tiny, stuttering sound that I feel against my own skin. "W-what?"
I smirk and move closer, not giving her an inch of space to breathe. Up close, her hazel eyes are blown wide, the pupils swallowing the gold. She smells like the hotel's floral soap and something else. Something warm, female, and entirely too tempting.
I want to see what she looks like when that sassy mouth isn't throwing insults at me. I want to see if she makes those same little gasping noises when I’m buried deep inside her. The air between us is thick and heavy. My thumb is still on her jaw, my skin humming where it touches hers.
I’m about to lean in to find out if she tastes just as good as she looks, when the phone in my pocket vibrates.
Fucking terrible timing.
