AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I bring my hands to her cheeks, clutching them in a firm grip.
“Gray’s my favorite color,” I growl.
Then I crush my lips to hers.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Creed
Esme doesn’t react at first, frozen in place.
Based on everything she just told me, this isn’t what she was looking for when she knocked on my door. If anything, she probably came by to make sure this never happens again.
All day, I’ve tried to convince myself this shouldn’t happen again, too, especially after Marius nearly walked in on us.
But I can’t resist this inexplicable magnetism that keeps drawing me back to her.
After a few seconds that feel like an eternity, she can’t seem to resist it, either.
Relaxing into my kiss, she pulls me closer, threading her fingers through my hair. I coax her lips open, our teeth crashing as I kiss her deeper, hands frantically exploring her body.
“I told myself last night would be the last time,” I murmur against her mouth before peppering kisses along her jawline, nipping at the soft, delicious skin of her neck. “That I wasn’t going to keep doing this.”
“You can’t get enough,” she exhales, obviously more than aware of what I’m going through. “You’re addicted to this feeling.”
She cranes her head, allowing me better access. A flash of possessiveness fills me when I see the subtle outline from where I marked her. It was careless, especially since she’s sharing a bed with Jameson. But my god, I love seeing my mark on her.
“Not just this feeling.” I move from her neck, my eyes locking with hers. “I am hopelessly addicted to you, Esme. And no amount of time in a rehab facility will cure me of it.” I dig my fingers into her hair, holding her tightly. “I don’t want to be cured of it.”
She parts her lips, her response on the tip of her tongue. I expect her to tell me we don’t have a choice. Something I’ve reminded myself of since that day in the stables. Hell, since that kiss all those years ago, which is where my addiction first started.
But she doesn’t force me back to reality. Doesn’t insist I work on getting sober.
Instead, she hoists herself onto her toes. “Then why don’t you take another hit?”
Without hesitation, I yank her against me, mouth covering hers in a kiss that consumes every inch of me. Her tongue swipes against mine, exploring and submitting to me. My hand on her hip, I steer her toward the bed, only tearing my lips from hers to rip her shirt over her head before kissing her again.
When the back of her legs hit the mattress, she reaches for the waistband of my pants. But before she can push them down, I grab her wrist, breaking away to stare into her eyes.
“There’s no going back after this,” I tell her. “If we do this, I need to know you’re all in. I won’t have you ignoring me.”
She searches my gaze, then sighs, pushing away from me and sitting on the edge of my bed. “You know I can’t give you what you want. You just said it yourself. I have no choice but to marry Jameson. I have to act as if I’m in love with him, at least whenever I’m at public events and in front of the royal household. Not to mention, you’re about to be sworn into the royal guard. I won’t put your career at risk. Your legacy at risk.”
Joining her, I grab her hand in mine, brushing my thumb along her knuckles. “I understand that.”
“Then what are you asking of me, Creed?”
I’m not sure what I’m asking of her. It’s not like either of us can change our circumstances. But I need to know I’m more than an act of rebellion. That she’s willing to give me more than just her virginity.
“I’m asking you to be mine in all the ways you can.”
She opens her mouth, but I swallow her protest with a kiss.
“I know you’ll have to be affectionate toward him. There’s no way around it, not unless you want to raise some serious eyebrows. Just promise you won’t let him do anything more than kiss you. And that you only let him kiss you when absolutely necessary. Otherwise, I may lose my fucking head.”
“Is that possessiveness I hear in your voice, Lieutenant Lawson?” she jokes.
“With you, always.” Hand cupping her cheek, I urge her mouth to mine. “Or more accurately, jealousy. I hate the idea of sharing you with anyone, even some arranged spouse. But if it’s the only way I can have you, I’ll suck it up. I don’t want him knowing the intimate parts of you. Not yet anyway. Not until we have no choice but to walk away.”
