Page 54 of Hate To Be Mine

“Sebastian, that’s not really a list of reasons not to do this.”

“It’s exactly a list of reasons not to. Because my list interferes with my life.”

We looked at each other across the small space.

“So,” I said, my voice coming out shakier than I wanted. “We agree. This is a terrible idea. For all the reasons we just listed. We should not do this.”

“Agreed.”

“So it’s settled.” I lifted my chin, trying to project confidence I didn’t feel. “Just don’t kiss me again.”

“You kissed me right back,” he said.

“That’s not the point.”

“What is the point?”

We were moving toward each other like we were being pulled together by an invisible force. My insides were trembling.

“The point is, this is a bad idea.” My words sounded like I was whispering.

“The worst,” he agreed.

“It’s going to end badly.”

“Probably.”

“We both know better,” I said.

“We do.”

We were inches apart now. I could feel the heat radiating off him. Could smell his cologne.

“Why would I ever want to kiss someone like you?” I whispered.

“I have no idea.” His hand came up, fingers ghosting along my jaw. “But you do want to.”

“This is such a mistake.”

“The biggest.”

“We’re going to regret this.”

“Definitely.”

Then his lips were on mine and I stopped thinking entirely.

The kiss last night had been intense. This was an inferno.

His hands were in my hair, pulling out the pins that held my bun in place. My hair fell around my shoulders. He groaned into my mouth, threading his fingers through it. I grabbed his shirt, pulling him closer. He backed me up until I hit the wall.

“Bernadette,” he breathed against my lips.

“Shut up,” I said, and kissed him harder.

His hands roamed down my sides, finding the hem of my blouse and sliding underneath. I arched into his touch and heard him make a low sound that went straight between my legs.

I pulled at his shirt, fumbling with the buttons. He helped me, shrugging it off and tossing it somewhere. Then his hands were back on me, more urgent now. I forgot why we ever thought this was a bad idea.