It was a no-mercy kiss.
A brutal claiming, full of teeth and desperate hunger, forcing my surrender to his will and his passion.
There was only his mouth on mine, his hands holding me, his body pinning me.
When he drew back, I felt taken and tender.
His eyes held mine, dazed and wild, gleaming with all the light from the horizon at my back. “Niel, I—”
“Oh no.” I just about managed to catch my breath enough to speak. “I’ve had bad experiences with you and sentences that begin with my name.”
“Yes, I—” He had the grace to look faintly uneasy. “I can understand that. I know I’ve treated you badly. It was never my intent.”
I wriggled my hands, enjoying the way his tightened. “Kiss me again and I’ll forgive you.”
“God,” he muttered. “I really need to stop doing this.”
But he kissed m
