Crave (Beneath The Secrets #3)
21. Lara
23%
CHAPTER 21
LARA
Song- Who We Are, Hozier
Something in his gaze shifts.
The way he’s looking between my eyes and my lips makes me want to scream at him to kiss me.
I am safe, in his arms, exactly where I am meant to be. Tears burn, but I keep my focus on him.
Everything else fades away as he pulls back, focusing on my mouth.
Does he feel this pull too?
I hold my breath. In this moment, nothing else matters.
It’s just he and I, together.
“I really want to kiss you,” he whispers.
All the pain in my body disappears, replaced by a surge of adrenaline.
“Please, Alexei?”
His features soften as he strokes my cheek gently, bringing me towards him.
The second his lips touch mine, sparks fire through me. I let him take charge, he tastes like cherry sweets and sin.
Like everything I've always dreamed of.
He’s gentle, yet full of hunger as his tongue slips in my mouth. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pull him closer.
I want to get lost in him, I want him to steal my last breath. I feel like I’m dying anyway, I’d gladly let him have it.
He pulls away, and I can’t hide the smile on my face, even if it really hurts. Alexei has always had a way of making everything better.
He leans forward, brushing his lips against my cheek and I close my eyes, sinking into the feeling. Of pure peace. I bet he was frantically searching for me.
“Can we just stay here for a few minutes?” he whispers. I can hear the pain in his voice.
“Y-yes.” I manage to croak out.
He rests his head on top of mine, his heart hammering in his chest, beating in my ears.
“I need another.” He pulls back and searches my eyes, both hands on my cheeks.
“One more kiss won’t ruin everything, right?” I whisper.
It could destroy our friendship. But I’m taking this moment. I’ll take any piece he’s willing to give me, until he finally realizes what I’ve known this whole time. We were always destined to be more than friends.
“Nothing could ever tear us apart.” He confirms.
A knot forms in my stomach. I really hope he’s right.