Page 64 of Bad Influence
Our lips are still so close, but neither of us moves to close that gap. I’m not sure why we’re teasing each other like this. We may enjoy the torture a little too much.
“Like I want to burn it all,” she whispers. “Like there’s a thing inside my chest which needs to be let out. I’m so tired of suppressing everything. I just want to feel, for once.” Her wide eyes search mine. “Can we do that?”
I’m not entirely sure what she’s asking of me. I do know that it’s not in me to deny her what she wants.
“We can do anything you want,” I promise.
“But not right now?” I hear the disappointment in her voice, and it’s a disappointment I feel as well.
I shake my head. “Not right now.”
I stand by the fact that she needs time. I waited a long time for this chance, I don’t mind waiting a bit more. Caroline needs to be sure she’s making the right decision for herself, and this is a decisionshewill have to make.
With Herculean effort, I push away from her. Caroline shiversas cold air rushes into all the places warmed by our bodies. With a look of determination, she nods.
“Feels kind of awkward to drink milk after all that,” she mumbles.
I laugh lightly, though I can’t deny that she’s right.
“We can always drink the whiskey,” I suggest.
Caroline twists her mouth to the side, humming quietly. “Your methods of giving a hangover cure are quite interesting. I might be persuaded to drink the whiskey.”
I don’t know whether it’s a deliberate move or she does it without thinking, but she braces her hands on the counter behind her which widens the gap of her collar.
I narrow my eyes at her. “On second thought, maybe we should just stick to the milk and hope it does the trick.”
“I don’t think milk is going to do the trick, but I do know something that will.” The tops of her cheeks have turned an apple red.
I turn the stove on to warm the milk, keeping a careful distance from the temptress in my kitchen. Knowing what her body feels like against mine is just going to make it that much harder to resist her.
“The only thing you’re going to find in this kitchen is milk,” I tell her.
She comes forward, resting her chin on my shoulder, which is quite the feat because she has to arch up onto her toes to do it.
“What if I want the milk man?” She whispers.
I spent years working hard to be considered a true artist and make a name for myself, and she has reduced me to a milkman. Fine, for her, I’ll be anything.
Reaching out, I wrap my arm around her waist, pulling her flush against me. Caroline gasps, bracing her hands on my chest.
“The kitchen is closed. We’re only serving milk at this hour,” I repeat.
She opens her mouth to protest, and I place a finger on her lips. “Shhh. No more talking.”
Caroline exhales heavily, like I’ve asked her to do something tremendous.
Once the milk is warm, I pour it in a cup and walk Caroline back to her room, locking her inside. I need to maintain my distance from this woman. I can’t remember the last time I’ve been so close to losing my senses. She tempts me like nothing and no one.
CHAPTER 19
Caroline
“Do you have plans today?”
I’m sprawled out on the couch in the living room, still in my pajamas, with a romance novel in my hand. I look at Killian as he settles in the chair across from me.
“Are you serious?” I ask, waving down at my prone body. “I’m currently in the middle of my plans.”
