He burned me with his eyes and said the most barbaric words that sent my world out of orbit. “You. Are. Mine.”
We stood there toe-to-toe breathing heavily. I searched his eyes, unable to believe what had just come out of that gorgeous mouth. My entire body tingled. Oh, so not a good sign. “I’m not a piece of property,” I said, taking a step back.
He angled his head, tugging on the sleeve of my cardigan. “Where do you think you’re going?”
I smacked at his hand. “We’re done.” I wasn’t sure if I meant that figuratively or literally.
His hand wrapped around my wrist, pulling me against his chest, eyes snapping with a ring of topaz. “We’re just getting started,” he countered, in a dark and sexy voice. The hand at my wrist slid under my sleeve. Sparks hummed as he touched my skin. There was nothing in the world I could compare it to.
I didn’t want to be affected by this. Not by what he could make me feel. My body was screaming yes. It was like what happened in class today. He was always finding ways to touch me. “Why do you keep doing this to me?” I asked, flustered and flushed.
“Because I like to.”
That wasn’t really an answer. I drew in a deep breath, his scent infusing my senses, making me lightheaded. God, I like it too. “Chase,” I whispered his name. It was my final attempt to stop this before it got out-of-hand, or maybe it was just the opposite. A plea for what I knew was to come.
Whatever it was, Chase took advantage. I tipped my head back, watching him with dark blue eyes. His breath stroked warmly against my lips, and I felt his lips curl right before he pressed them to mine. Both my hands were pressed against his chest. They fisted the front of his cotton t-shirt as I tried to catch my breath. I meant to push him away, but I only pulled him closer.
My brain had shut down.
Chase kissed like it would be his last, long and breathless. There was an overload of emotions mixing around inside me. As easy as it would be to blame this link between us for these berserk emotions, I knew it was a lie. Usually, I’m pretty good at lying to myself, really lying in general. But this time, I knew that these intense feelings had been there before the night I died.
Oh sweet mother Mary and Joseph. Lips like his should be forbidden.
He left me moonstuck.
My back hit something solid. Unperturbed, he lifted me, and I wrapped my legs around his waist as he hoisted me on the counter with a disturbing ease. My new position gave me a vantage point I was thoroughly enjoying, making me just a smidge taller than him. I sunk my hands into his dark hair keeping those sinful lips locked to mine. His fingers dug into my upper thighs.
Wa-wowzers.
The electricity between us charged the air throughout the kitchen. His hands slid up my thighs, past my hips, and under my shirt. Simultaneously mine trailed down his spine and into the back pockets of his jeans. Lips smooth, his kisses were deep, scorching me to the very depth of my soul. Our tongues tangled in a dance as old as time. We were so caught up in each other that we didn’t hear the squeaking of hinges until it was too late.
The front door creaked open followed by a girlish giggle that broke through our passionate cloud. Pulling our lips apart, I looked toward the door. Lo and behold, there was my mom entangled around Devin like a trollop. Forget the fact that I was in a similar position. This was my mom.
“Mom?”
“Angel?”
We both said in stunned unison.
Chapter 10
Mom’s back hit the front door, and she rubbed the tension from her neck. Devin frowned. Chase grinned. And I jumped off the counter, utterly mortified.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
My mom ran her fingers down her caramel colored hair, trying to smooth away the tousled look courtesy of Devin. “I should probably be asking you the same thing, but it’s pretty obvious what you were doing. On my kitchen counter nonetheless.”
My cheeks turned a shade darker than beets. I was just glad I still had my shirt on. Ugh. The embarrassment. “I thought you were working today.” Truthfully, I never knew when she worked anymore. It seemed like she was gone more than she was home. And if she did have the day off, she went out with Devin.
“As you can see, I’m not.” Her lips formed a thin line.
Could this possibly get anymore awkward? And Chase was so not helping. I was two-seconds away from kicking him in the shin, anything to wipe that smirk off his mouth.
“Chloe, why don’t I take Chase next door so you and Angel can talk,” Devin volunteered, his hazel eyes looking displeased at his nephew.
“Good idea.” She turned to Devin. “I’ll call you later?”
Devin nodded his sandy hair out of his eyes. Mom and I both watched as Devin and Chase sauntered out the door.
God, he had a superb butt.
Mom cleared her throat.