Free Just Breathe (Blue #1) by Chelle C. Craze Page A

shifts. He swings his leg over mine, straddling me. My muscles freeze in place, and I remind myself to breathe. He runs his fingertips along the sides of my neck and then rests his hands on each side of my face, pulling it up to meet his gaze. He leaves only a few inches between us. My heart beats loudly, aware of his proximity.
    “Listen, Cassandra. Don’t ever be ashamed to express yourself, especially not with me. You could never make me mad. Now, it’s your turn.” His breath is warm against my skin, which makes my heart pound even harder against my chest.
    I wait for Lucas to move, but he doesn’t. His eyes stay on me. He slowly removes each finger, leaving only one against my flesh. He then traces down my jawline and across my chin. My skin immediately feels his absence and longs for his return. Involuntarily, my mouth opens, and I close my eyes, enjoying his touch. A raspy moan rumbles from deep inside his chest and then his finger is gone, replaced by his lips crashing onto mine.
    His kiss is hard, full of desire, and hot enough to make me forget my own name. In this moment, any insecurities I have about him leave my mind. I can’t think straight. My heart feels as if it is going to burst out of my chest. I have kissed people before, but it was never like this. It feels like the stars have aligned, the world has stopped turning, and we have found a place of solitude, just for us. Lucas deepens the kiss by tasting my mouth with his tongue, causing me to open wider, allowing him to savor every second of this kiss. An unintentional low moan escapes my mouth, and he smiles against my skin. I run my fingers through his hair and tug it a little too hard in the heat of the moment. It’s just the right length to grab and pull. Lucas runs his fingertips slowly up my thigh, leaving behind a trail of goose bumps in their place. I feel a throbbing sensation start to grow between my legs and am glad I’m not a man. He would know how much I want him right now, without a doubt. A kiss, one simple action that will forever change my life.
    “Cassandra Blair Anderson! Lucas Isaiah Daniels!” We both stiffen at the sound of Dar’s voice. “I woke up terrified, Cass, because I didn’t know where you were. I go on a frantic search, only to find you here mauling each other. I haven’t even had a chance to pee yet.” She giggles. “Eh, as you were, kids.” She waves her hand in the air dismissively. “I’m going to get some coffee.” I look around Lucas to see Dar shaking her head as she goes out the door. She has always reminded me of the little sister I never had, especially after I lived with her family.
    My face flushes, and I peek up at Lucas through my eyelashes, suddenly too shy to speak. I swallow, trying to process everything that is happening, and I know my life will never be the same with or without him. I’m starting to forget how my life was before we were entwined like this. He is the first to put an end to the awkwardness between us, but maintains eye contact as he speaks. “Damn.” Lucas moans, seemingly out of breath. His eyes are burning with passion.
    “ Damn.” I exhale as I try to catch my own breath.
    Lucas places a gentle touch of his lips on my forehead, then the tip of my nose, and then ever so lightly grazes my lips with his. “You are the calm of my storm, Cassandra.” He holds my gaze momentarily, the two of us nose-to-nose. That’s a lot to process after a first kiss, especially since I’m still hazy from its intensity. His breath is warm on my skin, rendering me speechless. “Then again…you know what?” He rolls his shoulders, and a smug grin spreads across his face. “You might be the cause.”
    Until that statement, I forgot how seemingly confident he is, despite the fact I have a feeling he will keep reminding me. Maybe he could use a blow to his ego, to bring his head down to a normal size. “Lucas, I know what I want to ask for my turn.” I take in a deep breath. “Was I