Seduced by Innocencey(18)

That swarm of butterflies living in my stomach staged a revolt, leaving me breathless with heart pounding need. His lips had paused mere inches from mine, waiting for my response. My heart screamed yes, my body screamed yes, and my mind tried to calm everyone down, to no avail.

I tilted my head back, my lips parting a fraction, and nodded. He didn't hesitate to claim my lips with his as one arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me tight against him and his other hand cupped the back of my head, pulling me deeper into his kiss.

His lips tasted of wine and, when he parted my lips with his tongue, I eagerly met him with my own. My nipples hardened from the friction against the lace bra I'd worn, and heat flooded my belly.

I moaned against his mouth, and his fingers tugged at my hair, pressing me even closer to him.

Nothing in my life had ever felt this good, this full of bliss and pleasure.

His hand dipped down the small of my back and covered part of my ass. With more pressure, he closed whatever distance still remained between our hips, and I felt him harden against my stomach.

Time slipped away and fireworks danced beneath my eyelids as our bodies fought through layers of clothing to find each other.

Control slipped, and the core of my power bubbled to life, summoned by intense emotion. It latched onto our passion, ready to unleash itself in our moment of surrender.

All at once my world lit on fire within me, and I pushed him away, stifling a cry.

He stumbled back, more from shock than from my overwhelming strength. "I'm so sorry. Did I hurt you? I didn't mean to get so excited."

I couldn't speak, couldn't breathe, couldn't process what I had almost done. Another moment and he could be laying on the cold cement, a husk of his formal self.

My power still buzzed inside me, and I hated myself for who I was and what I could do. Tears threatened to spill down my face, and, for a fraction of a second, I worried about all the makeup Ocean had put on me. I'd look like a dying clown if I cried.

Overwhelmed, scared, and nearly out of control, I kicked off the stupid heals I was wearing and ran away into the night.

I heard footsteps behind me and Derek calling my name, but as if from a dream.

All that mattered was getting away, saving him from me and my dark gift from hell.

I turned down a corner and disappeared into the night.





EIGHT





Fortune's Fool





DEREK





O, I am fortune's fool!

— William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet





I BENT DOWN to pick up her shoes, and, when I looked up, she'd disappeared. This had never happened to me before, and I had no idea what to make of the situation. Should I chase her? Give her some space?

She was running around Seattle, barefoot, barely dressed, in the cold, at night, without any way home. Surely she'd come back. Right?

I called her cell phone, but heard it ringing near me and realized she'd also left her purse. Great.

Pacing back and forth, I considered my best option, then made another call.

"Aren't you supposed to be on your date?"

My sister—straight to the point.

"I am on my date, but she ran away?"

"What did you do to her?" I could hear the laughter through the phone.

"This isn't funny. I didn't do anything to her. I took her to that restaurant you suggested, which she loved by the way. We had a great time, and then, when we walked back to the car, we kissed. Probably the best first kiss I've ever had, but mid-way through it, she freaked out and ran off, leaving her purse and shoes. What do I do?" My eyes darted down the street, looking for any sign that she was coming back.

"You go after her, stupid."

"But doesn't she need some time to clear her head? I don't want to piss her off or freak her out even more."

She sighed. "Trust me on this one, Bro. You need to go after her."

"Okay, thanks. I'll let you know what happens."

"And try not to terrorize any more women in the meantime."

"You're a brat." She hung up before I could, but her banter lightened my heart a bit. This had to be just a misunderstanding. Perhaps the kiss had been too much. I'd find her and sort all of it out.

I threw her purse and shoes in the car and debated whether I should walk or drive. Driving would be faster, but if she went down walkways I couldn't drive I'd never find her.

She was barefoot and freezing, so she'd need to sit and warm-up as soon as I found her. The car would be better for that. I could always park and walk if need be.

With that settled, I slid into the driver's seat and slowly pulled out of the parking spot, then drove in the direction she'd gone.

Had this been any other girl, I'd have been pissed. Instead, I was worried. I didn't know what I'd done wrong. Had I hurt her? Scared her? Traumatized her in some way? She seemed so innocent, so pure. Had she never been kissed like that before?