Page 300 of Every Almost

Charlie moaned and kissed her more intently, and Reyna let her before drawing back to speak. Charlie moved forward, seeking her again, but Reyna pulled out of reach.

"Let me tell you the three reasons, Wickett."

Charlie groaned in a way that made Reyna want to forget about the reasons entirely. "Fine," Charlie conceded, evident that it cost her.

"You don't want to hear them?"

Reyna's hand snaked down the length of Charlie's ribcage as she said it, slow. Charlie's breath hitched.

"Oh, I do."

Reyna hummed.

"Reason number one."

She bent and kissed Charlie's neck.

"If it's you touching me, it'll be perfect. Guaranteed."

"Perfect? That's a lot to live up to for me."

"I think you'll manage."

She moved to the other side of Charlie's neck, kissed her there, and felt her shiver.

"Reason number two."

She pulled back. She wanted Charlie's eyes for this one.

"The color you saw tonight. It only happens for one person, once, if it happens at all." She held Charlie's gaze. "It happened with you, Charlie. It was always going to be you."

Charlie took a staggering breath.

"Really?"

Reyna kept her eyes on Charlie, never looking away.

"Really."

She captured Charlie's lips again, and this time she didn't let it stay gentle. She talked through the kissing.

"And… reason three…" Another heated kiss stolen against Charlie's lips. "…is if it's you touching me…"

She pulled back again and pulled Charlie's hand away from her own waist. She brought it up to her lips, kissing Charlie's palm gently. Then she led Charlie's hand down, pressing it against her breast.

“I will never be able to control myself…” she whispered.

Charlie’s hand stayed where Reyna had put it.

For one long second, she didn’t move at all. Her eyes dropped to the place where her palm rested against Reyna, then rose again, and Reyna watched the full meaning of what she’d said settle across her face.

“Then don't,” Charlie said.

And then she kissed her.

Reyna had thought there was nothing left in her to give that kiss. She’d already confessed, already let the rose spread beneath Charlie’s hands, already shown more of herself in the last hour than she had in her memory.

She’d been wrong.