Untamed (157 page)

It’s tense as we walk through the lobby of his apartment building. The guard is sleeping in his chair, and we walk past silently.

In my mind, there’s just this single thought repeating over and over again

What is about to happen?

I can’t deny to myself that I’m nervous, even a little afraid. For some reason, I feel like I’m walking down a path of no return. There is trepidation.

But, as I walk with my hand clasped in Pierce’s, I realize I want this. I want to go to his apartment with him. I want him to do to me whatever he wants.

I want to give in to him.

We wait for the elevator, and the tension is as thick as butter. I steal a sidelong glance at him, look at the lines of his sharp, handsome side profile. My eyes travel down his arm, to where his sleeve is folded at the elbow, to the muscular forearm, the wriggling veins, and then down to his enormous hand as it completely swallows mine up.

The elevator dings, and the doors slide open.

I gulp as we step in.

The doors shut, and he turns to me. I don’t know what I expect to happen – I don’t even know what
is
going to happen – but I feel like I’m waiting for something.

I don’t want to be the one to make the first move.

His hand leaves mine, and begins to sidle up the inside of my arm. The touch is ticklish, but it leaves a fiery trail of buzzing nerves. Goose bumps erupt all over me, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I’m breathing quickly, lips open, looking into his eyes. I feel like I can’t look away.

I’m waiting for him to kiss me.

It’s like he reads my mind. He pulls in close to me, fast and hard, but then gently takes my lips in his. It’s as if, all of a sudden, the dam of inhibition within me has cracked and burst open, and all my desires are spilling out uncontrollably like so much reservoir water.

I press my body into his, he corrals me tight in his arms, and I suck on his lip, kiss it sloppily. It’s only my second kiss, but I don’t care. I’ve become immune to modesty, to shyness.

His mouth moves, I feel it move into a grin, and he pushes me up against the inside of the elevator, clamps my hands above my head, and he breaks the kiss. I try to move forward, but he pins me there, and just watches me for a moment.

I’m panting, nervous, excited, scared, sweating, flushed, hot and yearning. I’m everything I can feel all at once.

“Kiss me,” I beg.