Page 93 of Embrace

“Fuck,” he mutters and then he palms the back of my head and presses his mouth to mine.

I’ve imagined this countless times. The way he runs his teeth over his full bottom lip, how they pull into a smile whenever he spots me in the library. His lips have always been on my mind. I knew they would be sweet and soft, as if landing on a cloud.

But it’s not that at all. Instead, I’m on fire.

Kian’s kiss is like tasting sunshine. It’s all-consuming, completely ravishing, and makes me forget where I end and he begins. He catches my bottom lip, pulling slightly as he sucks, and when his mouth parts, I slip my tongue over his, whimpering from the sudden warmth of him.

“You okay?” he asks, his voice so gentle that it shakes something stubborn inside me.

I moan, pulling him right back, hoping this never ends. This is the first time I’ve enjoyed just kissing this much. It was always the more intimate part of sex for me, so I limited it. But with Kian, I’m desperate.

My hips buck into his and he curses into my mouth, holding my waist tighter before he flips and presses his palm against my navel. I swallow the sound of pure pleasure that erupts inside me.

“If you want a kiss, Scar, you’re getting a kiss. Don’t distract me.”

I exhale a low laugh. “I’m not one of your assignments, Kian.”

“But I’d like to ace you.”

I laugh. The pressure of his lips breaks a dam inside me, but he keeps his hips away. He doesn’t let his hands wander beyond my face, doesn’t take this kiss as an invitation for anything else. But I want to tell him that I want him everywhere, that I’ve been dreaming of him since the first time I saw him. Because he kisses like he listens, like I’m the only thing that exists.

“I want—”

Pop. Suddenly, a sharp scratch breaks through the quiet of the room, forcing us to jerk and giving me a moment to orient myself, to understand the gravity of what the hell I’ve just done.

With no music, the moment crumbles before my eyes. I sink back into the harsh reality where Kian is my friend. The same one who has a date with another girl, one who can wear his jersey and go to his games. Someone he’s wanted for a long time.

“Shit, sorry,” Kian says quickly. “That happens sometimes. It’s an old record player.”

My face is hot, and I think he realizes that I’m on the verge of panic because he pulls back, letting me out from under him.

Shit, shit, shit.

“Scarlett—”

“Can you take me home?” I blurt out. I can’t be here. Can’t even chance a look at him and see whatever emotion is dancing in his eyes. Or worse, let him see mine. “You’ll need to change the bandage on your hand tomorrow.”

I awkwardly put the items back in the first aid kit, praying my face hasn’t blended in with my hair.

It’s a long minute before he speaks. “You want to leave?”

My gaze finds his and it’s worse than I thought. Kian rubs the back of his neck, like he’s recalling the way I ran my fingernails over it and into his hair. Those shining eyes are dull with confusion and a glimpse of hurt.You knew this would happen.

But he’s the one who’s going out with Cassie. Not me.

“Yeah, I mean, you said you’d give me a ride, right?”

“Yeah,” he says quietly. “Of course I’ll give you a ride, Scarlett.”

I turn, heading straight for the door and out his bedroom. Summer’s walking up the stairs when she spots me. She’s about to wave when her gaze drifts behind me to where Kian’s putting on his T-shirt as he shuffles down the steps.

Her gaze ping-pongs between us, her mouth parting in realization.

I panic. “Great tutoring session, Kian! You’ll ace that test.” I sprint down the steps toward the hallway, where I bump right into Cole.Dammit. Why is everyone here tonight?

“Careful, Red,” Cole murmurs.

“Scarlett,” Kian corrects from behind me. The sound of it burns down my spine, heat licking at my skin like I’ve stepped too close to a fire.