Page 29 of Manhattan Kiss

Fuck, I haven’t been this turned on by a kiss in the longest time. Her skin against my hands feels so soft, her jaw so delicate.

But she’s already told me she’s not that delicate.

Her hands pull me closer, like she wants more, and I snake one of mine around her waist and over her arse, moving her against me. I want her to feel how hard I am. How much I want her too.

She moans, and I swear I wish we were alone right now, rather than on a busy New York street. I wish I could peel this dress off her, kiss her until she begged me to sink into her body.

She’d be coming in seconds.

So would I.

Fuck. I’m not sure I’m ever going to get rid of this hard-on.

Her hands come to my neck, and she moves on my thigh, nudging against my erection, until suddenly she presses her hands on my shoulders and breaks our kiss.

“Oh god,” she says. “I…I…that was…I…”

I smile as she stutters, then I drop a chaste kiss on her lips to communicate to her that she doesn’t need to say anything.

That kiss said it all.

“You’re gorgeous,” I say. “But unless you want to get fucked in front of the entire city, I think you should go up to your apartment.”

She rolls her lips together, trying to suppress a smile.

“I’m going to go up to my apartment…but I’m not sure it’s the right decision. Getting fucked in front of the entire city seems like a good option right about now.”

I take a deep breath to steady myself.

I have to walk away.

She’s said she doesn’t want to sleep with me tonight.

There will be other nights.

Nights when I don’t pay for dinner and she doesn’t think there’s some kind of payback. Nights when I can take my time with her. Other perfect nights.

“Go inside, Aurora,” I say on a growl. I shove my hands in my pockets and watch as she heads into her building. The smooth, pale skin of her back is begging for my touch, and I only just resist.

For now.

ELEVEN

Deacon

I haven’t exactly been trailing the corridors looking for Aurora, but I’ve found myself out of my room this evening more than I normally am. Our kiss last night has played on a loop in my head all day.

I expected to see her on reception when I arrived back after work, but she wasn’t there. I know she’s moving around to lots of different departments, so maybe she’s switched.

I even popped into the hotel bar for a beer, which I’ve only done twice before in three years. I didn’t see her there either.

If I had her number, I could text her. Even though I shouldn’t. If she’s at work, she doesn’t need me sniffing around her. She clearly thinks that people won’t approve. She’s got a lot more to lose than I have.

The alarm on my phone goes off, indicating that it’s time for my FaceTime call with Willow. I grab my phone from my bed, turn off the alarm, and dial Gabby.

Gabby doesn’t answer, Willow does.

“Hey, dollface, how are you?”