Page 121 of Embrace

She doesn’t need to tell me twice. Suddenly, I feel charged with an electric energy, one that courses straight through my cock and seems to be lighting her up just the same way. When I lay her on her bed, everything slows down.

Even my breaths turn shallow, my pulse thumps in my ear, and my blood whooshes in my ears. This feels different. The look in her eyes, the feeling trying to pry open my rib cage. It’s nearly suffocating.

I pull off my shirt, hoping I’ll get a chance to breathe if it’s off me, but it only makes it worse. Scarlett lifts her arms, and I swallow down the lump in my throat that comes out of nowhere as I slowly pull her shirt up and off her, uncovering her bare tits. But I can barely enjoy the sight in front of me because my vision blurs and I feel lightheaded.

She moves back on the mattress, and I can’t seem to catch my breath. But I follow her anyway, kissing her neck and the side of herjaw. When she turns to look at me, she pulls back the slightest bit, tilting her head.

There’s a spark of concern in her eyes as she does that thing with her soft fingers. Running them over my ears so gently I nearly purr.

“You okay, baby?”

“I love you,” I blurt.

My chest finally eases up when the words leave me. It’s like when your body is ejecting whatever you’re keeping inside, and the moment it’s out, it’s like returning to normal. But that only lasts for a second before I realize what I’ve said, and when.

I wait for her to say something before I pass out. But Scarlett just hums in acknowledgment and goes back to kissing me. Fuck, I didn’t mean to say it like this. Right now. I can’t tell if she’s pissed at me or just deciding to ignore it.

“Scar? Did you hear me?”

She finally draws her eyes to me. “I did, and I know.”

It surprises me. “You do?”

“Sure.” She shrugs. “You love everyone, Kian.”

I don’t like that at all. She’s not everyone else. I need her to know that.

“Not like this, Scarlett. I don’t love everyone the way I love you. I’ve never loved anyone this way. I’minlove with you.”

Forty-two

Scarlett

Kian Ishida isin love with me.

He looks on the verge of passing out, and I see the red creeping onto his face and his eyes glazing over as he looks at me.

“Are you sure?” I ask him.

“So fucking sure that I just said it to you while we’re both half naked.” He squeezes his eyes shut like he’s cringing internally.

“I don’t mind,” I whisper.

“I could go to the rooftop and yell it from there. I don’t even care if it’s cold.” He starts to move.

I laugh. “No. Really. This is good.”

“Yeah? Because I know it’s not the best timing, and I wished I had it all planned out and made it perfect for you, but I couldn’t keep it in an—”

I kiss him.

“I really fucking love you, Scarlett,” he murmurs against my lips. “When you’re not with me I try to find ways to make our days intertwine. I want to be with you all the time.”

Tears sting the backs of my eyes, but I don’t let them out. He’s so good to me. Too good. I know if Kian sees my eyes, he’ll gogentle, and every single word out of his mouth only makes me want to go harder.

Slowly, he drags my panties down my legs, and when he’s close enough, I grab his chain, curling my finger around it as I pull him close. “Don’t be gentle.”

He seems surprised for a second, not sure if he loves that idea, but he drops his head to kiss my neck, dragging his teeth along the column, releasing an animalistic sound. My whole body tingles, lighting up different parts of me like flickering Christmas tree lights.