Free Only Love by Victoria H. Smith, Raven St. Pierre

taken another step toward me. My instincts kicked in and I placed a hand on the doorknob, aware of the contrast between what I wanted to do and what I knew to be the right thing.
    Instead of responding to my statement with words, Adam took my other hand, entangling his lengthy fingers with mine, and I got lost in the sensation of his digits sliding in between mine. The brazen gesture caught me off guard and I sucked in a breath, seeing the certainty in his eyes. No actual words were spoken aloud, but I felt like I heard Adam loud and clear, understood how he felt, even if the feelings he was harboring were yet new and unexplored. Those dark lashes shrouded his eyes as his gaze dimmed and he came even closer.
    My body went rigid at the feel of the wall against my back, meaning I couldn’t go anywhere even if I wanted to. But I didn’t—want to go anywhere, that is. Adam came dangerously close—so close his scent filled my space and I had no choice but to breathe him in. He wore no cologne, just gentle hints of whatever soap or body wash he used. It was better than any expensive fragrance he could’ve purchased. They would’ve done nothing but ruin his natural aroma. It was simply the smell of him… and I loved it.
    He took another step and now we were toe to toe. My fingers slipped off the knob when he gently took possession of that hand, too. It didn’t matter, though. At this point, leaving him here alone no longer seemed like the next action I wanted to take anyway. As if reading my mind, Adam erased the last few inches of space that were no longer welcome between us. His chest pressed against mine when our lips met, and I inhaled a breath so long and deep that I became lightheaded. Or maybe that was just because of him. His lips were soft and warm just like I’d imagined they were. I somehow appreciated the hint of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry that flavored our kiss more now, tasting them on his lips instead of on a spoon. He was right; this was a much more suitable dessert.
    My mouth parted in submission, welcoming Adam’s tongue inside when he took our kiss to a deeper level of intimacy. My knees went weak and I felt his heart racing through his shirt. His fingers squeezed mine tighter as he leaned into me, sandwiching me between him and the wall, which was just as firm and unyielding as his body.
    My lips felt slighted when Adam tore away from them, grazing over my cheek as he traveled to the side of my neck . My eyes drifted shut after the sensation drowned me in a haze of lust and yearning. His lips were still damp from our kiss, intensifying the feel of them against my skin. I was so entranced I didn’t even realize my hands were freed from Adam’s grasp until I felt his inching up my torso, exploring me on top of my clothes. With him so close, I felt like he was everywhere—all over me. Maybe he was. And maybe I loved it.
    His palms stopped just beneath my breasts and my pulse accelerated. The feel of his thumbs brushing slowly over my nipples made them tighten, leaving me resentful of the shirt and bra keeping my skin from connecting with Adam’s. The frustrated groan that escaped his throat led me to believe he had the same thought.
    I wanted more. Wanted it all. But the image that flashed in my head shut down my entire body in an instant. One face was all I had to envision to bring everything to a screeching halt. When I pressed my hands against Adam’s chest, he backed off right away, concerned and confused if I had to guess by his expression.
    “I can’t do this. I’m not supposed—” was all I said before closing my mouth.
    Adam looked me over—my lips, my breasts, and then finally my eyes. “Did I make you uncomfortable?” he asked, still somewhat breathless.
    My head spun. “No. It’s not you,” I explained. “My situation is just… complicated.”
    He didn’t move away, just studied my expression carefully. “Are you… are you with someone?” he asked, no anger or