Page 32 of Best Man Speaking
“It’d basically just be business,” he responds, his variation of curiosity.
“As long as you don’t try and make me sign a contract.”
“I’ll take your word for it, then, that you won’t be mentioning it to anyone else.”
“Kissing isn’t even mentioned on your brother’s stupid list, but it’s nice to know you think you’re something worth bragging about.”
“Would you like me to provide references?”
“Would you be able to narrow it down to three?” I bite out with a smirk.
“You have a great mouth, Hallie. I can’t wait until it’s full of me.” His words are filthy, heating me up inside until I’m molten.
I forget all the reasons why I’ve avoided him and this place for so very long.
I want him. I want this thing, this craving, out of my system, so this time when I leave, I’ll have no reason to return.
I commit to this crazy idea.
I’m unwilling to be the one who touches first, and I refuse to flat-out ask for what I want. Instead, I fall back on what we already know so well.
I bait him.
“Well, are you going to kiss me? Are you going to keep me quiet, or should we get out a thesaurus and go a few more rounds?”
Marcus steps into my space, his body flush with my own.
It’s been years since we’ve been this close, yet still, his body isn’t touching mine. I bite my bottom lip, knowing if I release it, I’m likely to ask—no, beg—for his hands.
His eyes lock with mine, and I wonder, just for a moment, if he, too, realizes this will only be the second time we’ve touched in nearly a decade. Part of me wishes I didn’t think it, that I didn’t care. But it’s too late, and I’ve already thought about it. The caress of his thumbs along my jawline draws me back into the moment, and all of it ceases to matter.
I resist the urge to purr as his touch moves down my neck, pausing to glide over my collarbone and over the tops of my breasts.
“I still don’t like you,” I say, hating the breathless sound of my voice. How desperate I am for touch, specifically his.
“I’d be okay with that if it wasn’t for the fact you’re lying. You like me just fine.”
“I think you like the sound of your own voice.”
“I think you’d be upset if I stopped talking, if I stopped baiting you to fight with me. I’d bet it turns you on,” he says with a smirk that’s way more knowing than it should be. “Actually, I’d like to bet if you’d drop your panties and get on your knees, I could make you shut up and enjoy it quite a bit.”
“You want to shut me up? I’m saying there’s no way in hell I’m getting on my knees for you,” I growl out, unwilling to bend before him in that way.
“I want your mouth full, Hallie—too full to fight with me and preferably fullof me. But you’re right, a kiss is what we agreed on.”
The initial press of his thumb to my lower lip has me wanting to nip at it. To lick the tip of it. And I do, the lightest touch of my tongue dampening the skin there. When he begins to run it backand forth, the sensation of his skin on mine, even in this small way, is a direct hit to a lower and needier part of my anatomy.
I’m uncertain if Marcus expects me to pull back, to get mad, or to release a tirade of insults. I’m uncertain of his expectations, and for once, I don’t have any of my own.
He keeps playing with my lip, and I can’t help myself as I gently nip at the pad of his thumb.
He inhales sharply, causing me to open my eyes, and I’m uncertain as to when they’d fallen shut.
The connection between us pulses as time pauses for just a moment, and then his lips are on mine, electricity shooting through me. His kiss isn’t what I was expecting. It’s not angry or hard. Not bruising or punishing. Instead, his lips brush against mine, firm but gentle, as he awaits my reaction. The rational part of my mind is well aware of each sane decision I could make in the moment. Of how Marcus wouldn’t push if I gave a single hint of hesitation. But all I can think of is his hands on me, how good it feels to be touched, and how my body is softening into the feel of him.
A shudder works its way through me as I return his kiss, my lips parting beneath his. Of their own accord, my hands lift, my fingers burrowing into his dark hair to tug him closer.
Marcus releases a sound from deep in his throat, and he’s on me in a flash.
