From Bully To Beloved

SERA

Okay, so agreeing to the kiss deal wasn’t the best idea.

And neither was forgetting my bra.

And kissing him back.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

But damn, is he a good kisser.

Part of me isn’t surprised. Someone with that many quick comebacks and smartass answers has to be good with his mouth. I’m justnotexpecting one kiss with him to buckle my knees and send a shot of arousal straight between my legs. God, I try so hard not to like it. I really do. I remain still and squeeze my eyes shut, waiting for it to be over. I thought it was going to be over quickly, but he doesn’t let up. He keeps going, keeps trying to coax a response out of me.

And it’s not long before I give in.

I just can’tnotgive in.

Kissing him the second time is not planned. It just happens.

I blame my hormones and general unresolved horniness. Combine that with the fact that I haven’t been kissed senseless in a long time, and of course I’m going to go for seconds.

Until I catch myself and pull away.

We’re both panting. His hands are around my ass and his full lips are glistening invitingly.

Oh, no.

Oh, my God.

Quickly, I break all contact and clear my throat. There’s too much silence. I should say something. Something funny and witty. Like what? Shit! I’m an artist, nota comedian.

I open my mouth and say the first thing that comes out. “All right, you’ve made your point. I’ll pick up my bra.”

Internally, I wince. Well done. Not awkward in the slightest.

“Glad you see things my way,” Coltonsays with that infuriating smirk of his. But oh, crap, he sounds breathless and it’s super sexy.

His green eyes are dark, like the color of moss, and he’s looking at me like he wants to throw me onto the couch. I’m like two seconds away from letting him. I need to do something.

I start to pick up my stuff, leaving him standing there staring at me.

“So how was work?” I ask.

Smooth, Sera. So super smooth, I tell myself.

Coltontakes a step back (thank God, because I can still feel the heat of his body, and it’s so much worse when he’s standing close). “Great change of subject,” he teases.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Laughing, he takes a seat on the armchair. He runs a hand through his already-mussed hair. God, I want to do that. I want to see if his hair is as soft as it looks, maybe tug on it a bit to see if I can elicit a noise out of him.

Why didn’t I do that during our kiss?

Wow, it’s really hot in here.

“Work was fine,” he finally answers. When I bend over to pick up my sketchbook off the floor, he adds, “By the way, you’re still in your robe, and it’s not fully closed. Not that I mind the view.”

Oh, shit. I glance down and remember that I’ve had this entire conversation in my robe, and sure enough, the sash has come slightly undone, and my boobs are almost hanging out. I immediately stand up straight, dropping everything I’m holding.

“Dammit, Cal,” I exclaim, retying it. “Why didn’t you say anything sooner?”

“I’m a man, Sera. If a gorgeous woman wants to sit, kiss, or lounge around in her robe, I’m not going to stop her.”

My face grows hot hearing Coltonrefer to me as a “gorgeous woman.” I clutch my robe tighter. “You didn’t think to at least warn me that my tits were practically falling out?”

“Why the fuck would I do that?”

I shake my head, trying to will the redness from my cheeks. “I’ll go put some clothes on.”

The look Coltonis giving me can only be described as hunger. He doesn’t say it, but I know he’d rather I take the robeoff. I’ve never had someone so blatantly undress me with their eyes as he’s doing right now. It only makes the memory of his lips even more intoxicating.

I hurry to the bedroom to put some clothes on, trying to put the feeling out of my mind.

Which is way more difficult than it has any right to be.