Catch My Breath

Caressing his face, I ran my fingers over his cheeks and jaw. He groaned, kissing me harder, setting my blood on fire.

Abandoning my trepidations, I straddled his lap. Grasping my lower back, his fingers dug into my skin. I shoved my hands in his hair, pulling it and slanting his head so I could fully taste him. His moan was low and sexy, reverberating through me.

His body stiffened as he fisted his hand in my hair, trying to regain control. I relaxed my grip and surrendered to him.

“We have to stop,” he rasped against my lips.

“Why?”

His chest heaved and fell as he sighed. My mind and sense of logic were wrapped in a boozy blanket, obscuring any distinction between stop-it-now and this-feels-good-keep-going.

The alcohol won again. I kissed him greedily. He was too good not to. I got a rush from how he savored me with the long slow strokes of his tongue. Lust throbbed ferociously through my body. No man had ever gotten me this hot and bothered with just a kiss.

Working fast, I pulled up his shirt, scratching my nails down his chest. His muscles twitched and contracted under my touch. He brushed my hair back, cupped my jaw and pulled his mouth away.

“Don’t,” he said rather unconvincingly.

“I want to.”

His quiet moan drove me wild. My hand disappeared into the thick, dark red softness of his hair.

“No, Lia.” His eyes hardened in a determined stare.

He was rejecting me? Everything spun wildly. I broke out into a cold sweat as my vision tripled and stomach churned. Seconds later it rolled again as nausea spread through my body. No, no, no.

CHAPTER SIX (#u0a54b365-2b51-5473-98e5-bae33eb7a3dc)

I could count on one hand how many times I’d been sick from drinking too much. This was going down as the most mortifying one in history. My entire body lurched as all the minty martinis flew out into the toilet. At least I had enough presence of mind to flush it immediately.

Disgusted with myself, I rested my head on my arm to quiet the pounding.

This is attractive. I bet he loves having drunk girls on their knees in front of the toilet.

Someone gathered my hair into a low ponytail.

Oh my God. Please don't let me puke with him kneeling beside me.

Too late. Another horrific wave of nausea overtook my body. Alastair knelt quietly beside me, stroking my back. I prayed to the gods of porcelain thrones to keep his clothes free from any splashback. When it seemed I’d completely emptied my stomach, I slumped against the wall and whimpered.

"Don't move. I'll be right back," he said.

Where else could I possibly go? I cradled my head in my hands. What a disaster. A few minutes later Alastair walked back in carrying a toothbrush, a washcloth and the bottle of water.

"Come here." He knelt next to me and pressed the washcloth to my face. "I've run it under cold water. Sorry if it's a bit chilly."

The cool cotton felt good against my flaming skin. Tears flowed down my cheeks in thick streams.

"No tears, love. You've nothing to be ashamed of."

I looked at him through watery eyes. I was so embarrassed. I must look like such an asshole to him.

"Drink this." He handed me the water.

"Thank you."

Alastair tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "You're welcome. I'll let you finish up in here. Come find me when you're done, alright?”

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“This.”

Tilting my chin up, he started to say something then stopped. We stared at one another for a couple minutes.

“I’ll be in the bedroom down the hall. Take your time.”

Once he was gone, I stood up and brushed my teeth quickly, then splashed more cold water on my face. I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror and grimaced.

I walked cautiously into the hall. A nasty headache pounded between my ears. All I wanted to do was lie down. There was light spilling from a nearby room. I staggered toward it, willing the rumbling in my stomach to settle down.

My vision doubled and I had to reach for the doorframe. He was at my side immediately, helping me to the bed. A t-shirt and flannel boxer shorts were folded on the pillow. I wasted no time changing into them. Yanking the dress over my head, I stood with it tangled around my arms. Some of the embellished sequins caught on my lace undergarments.