Page 3 of Shattered Oaths

I don’t know if it’s the alcohol thrumming through my veins, my obvious lack of action lately, or the outfit she’s wearing, but I’m seeing Bella through totally different eyes right now.

I no longer see the annoying little girl that would tag along with us everywhere we went. I’m not seeing the small, innocent girl dressed in cut-off overalls who would pout whenever we neglected to invite her anywhere.

That girl is long gone, replaced with the woman next to me, guzzling whiskey from the bottle while dressed in the skimpiest of outfits that does nothing to hide the curvaceous body she seems to have grown into.

And my testosterone-riddled body isveryaware of that.

Bella continues to drink and I frown, reaching for the bottle and prying it from her gently. “Easy now, doll.”

Her eyes widen in surprise, a droplet of whiskey spilling on her bottom lip before rolling down her chin. I watch, captivated, as her tongue darts out, lapping up the liquid and I don’t even think before reaching out, catching the droplet on her chin with my thumb before bringing it to my mouth, sucking it clean.

I don’t know what possessed me to do that.

Clearly my brain isn’t firing on all cylinders tonight.

But I can’t find it in me to regret it when I see her reaction.

Bella’s lips part on a silent intake of breath, her marble grey eyes hooding, pupils blowing wide as they track my fingers, zoning in on my mouth.

The air in the room changes. It becomes charged, crackling like a force field of electricity.

The noise from the party below becomes a low buzz in the background as Bella shifts closer on the bed, her fishnet covered leg brushing against mine. Heat radiates from her body as she leans in, her whiskey coated breath mixing with mine in the space between us.

My attention flicks between her eyes and her lips, my own breaths coming in short pants that match hers as realisation dawns on me.

“Bella.” My voice is a low croak, but it holds the slightest warning.

It’s a warning that if she does this, there’s no going back. The line that had been drawn a long time ago will be crossed.

Grey eyes flick up to mine briefly and she wets her bottom lip, but she doesn’t stop leaning in.

She’s going to kiss me.

Bella Ashby. My best friend’s younger sister is currently in my bedroom and she’s leaning in to kiss me.

And I’m going to let her.

Because despite knowing that I’m playing with fire here, or the fact that I’m about to break an oath I made many years ago, Ireallywant to fucking kiss her. Been thinking about it since I followed her into this bedroom and took one look at those sinful red lips.

Bella pauses, her mouth a millimetre from mine and I know she’s giving me chance to pull back; to put a stop to this entire thing right now before we cross that line.

And I should.

I should tell her that we can’t.

That it’s wrong, because Killian is my closest friend and this could destroy that. But the thing is, it doesn’t feel wrong at all.

Right here, right now, in this very moment, it feels extremely fucking right.

So instead of backing away from her, taking my drink and leaving the room, I bring my hand up to her face, my thumb landing in the centre of her chin as I close the distance between us and crush my lips against hers.

***

BELLA

My head pulsates to the rhythm of the marching band that seems to have taken up residence in my skull. I attempt to lick my dry lips, but my tongue seems to be glued to the roof of my mouth.

Groaning, I roll onto my side, my hand outstretched for the glass of water I take to bed with me every night, but instead of a bedside locker, I find nothing but air.