Dante launched himself from their forced intimacy as soon as their pursuers were gone, repulsed by what he’d just done… and, even more so, at how undeniably good it felt.Hours passed in the bare moments their eyes met, bodies still warm from their impassioned friction, wherein burning lavender melted into his frozen golden orbs. Their mirrored expressions tried to make sense of what the other was thinking, wanting, feeling… and neither of them was willing to let go even a sliver of a clue. But, be it by her desperate tug on his shirt or his heated breath against her neck, one thing was obvious…
…that all things considered, that wasn’t half bad.
Tucked away in the back corner of the club, the pulsating music had dulled itself down into a throbbing hum. “Christ… I really got to get out more if that pouting freak-face of yours is getting me this worked up.” Those yellow eyes caught her expression at the corner of his eyes, the beginnings of a smile brewing on her devious lips. For fuck’s sake, Alice, you almost look… smug. A sneering grin drove the corner of his lips upward. “And before you go mouthing up, it’s not like you can’t say the same. Unless…” Sly fingers reached at her collar, instantly flapping open her dusters to reveal her chest beneath. “…you’re going to try and tell me it’s cold in here?” A tongue licked his teeth, sealing the joke. Together, they made for the exit.
T’click! With a push the door came open, instantly letting in a swelling gale of frozen New York air into tthe sweaty, foggy club. The chill cold scent of asphalt and smoke was a welcome replacement to the stench of sweat and breath, drugs and perfume. Through that simple threshold was her escape, the orange flicker of the alleyway lights lighting her pathway to salvation and sanctuary.
A jet of muscle and sinew shot across the door frame, fingers clenching the metal to form an impenetrable bar, blocking her from escape. Turning downward to face her petite frame, he felt his sable locks fall about his face as he demanded her vision. It wasn’t until they were locked in their gaze that he spoke, his voice an ashen whisper. “You… me… we’re even now.”
Releasing the door frame, he stepped aside and allowed her to brush past him… managing to hold that rigid, arctic face until she turned her back on him to leave. Staring after her, he let his thoughts wander…
Rain on his face, running down the side of her nose to join the rivulets on his cheek. Satiny wings caressing rough, calloused fingers. Lips pressed like praying hands, like crashing waves.
“Wait.”
The word came in his steady, gruff voice, a hand cupping her hip. Whether she spun to face him or simply froze, he cared not… for his hand was spinning her in his grasp, whirling her about to face him dead on. In that same instant he ensnared her in his stare.. and pulled her in for the kill. Where their first kiss was sudden, incidental, the frantic sum of an explosive equation, this one was smooth, fiery, dominating… his lips showing her that, TITAN or no, he had a power within him that didn’t need technology.. and demanded respect. Those firm, comforting hands didn’t instantly let her go, didn’t pull away… but instead held her there for as long as the kiss needed, rubbing lips as his carnal tongue fought for hers.
Then it was over, and the chill of midnight was thrice as powerful against their newfound heat. He heaved breaths like he’d run a mile, chest rising and falling for every hundred beats of his heart. A wink in his gaze seemed to say…
…now that, pretty thing… THAT is how you kiss.
“There. NOW we’re even.”
