candy and gin ,” I whispered against his lips. His eyes darkened as he gaze turned murderous. His lips crashed down on mine hard, his teeth biting my lower lip aggressively as his tongue plunged into my mouth. His kiss was all-consuming and devastating. This wasn’t a sweet kiss of lust; this was a kiss of passion and domination. I melted into his arms as he made me his once again. My every nerve ending responded to his colonization, and I whimpered when he pulled away from me slowly, running his hands through his hair as he stared at my lips. “You’re bleeding.” “It doesn’t hurt.” I licked my lips and tasted a faint drop of blood. “It’s nothing.” He bent down again, and this time his tongue licked my lips softly before he sucked on my lower lip. ”What are you doing?” “Licking the blood away.” “Are you a vampire?” I joked and he laughed as he pulled me toward him and kissed my forehead. “When I’m with you, I feel like I could be one.” “What does that mean?” “Nothing.” He shook his head. “Let me see you r room.” “No.” “That’s not go through this again.” He grabbed my hand. “Take me to your room.” “I can’t.” “Stop with the games. We both know no one is coming tonight. I’m already mad enough that you kissed someone else.” “Whatever.” I tried to pull away from him as my insides grew warm with desire. “Katie .” He pulled me toward him again and looked down at me seriously. “Don’t push me.” I wanted to whisper , “Or what?” but no words would come out. He squeezed my hand and led me to my bedroom door. I frowned as he walked in and locked it behind us. He pushed me down on the bed and then lay down next to me. His hand ran up my stomach and to my breast, and he gazed at me with lust in his eyes. “I’m going to make sweet love to you, Katie. Like you want me to.” I stared at him, unable to deny that I wanted him. “Don’t kiss anyone else.” His voice sounded strangely bleak. “I can kiss who I want.” My heart started pounding. “I’ll leave Maria.” His words were soft, but they grinded my heart to a stop. “What?” “I’ll break the engagement off with Maria.” He held my hands. “If that will stop you from being with other men.” “What about Harry?” “Let me worry about him.” He averted his gaze from mine. “I don’t understand.” I looked back at him. “Do you still love me?” I was hopeful as I stared at him in front of me, all broody and dark. I felt like I was at the edge of a cliff about to jump into the water and only he could stop me from jumping. “I never stopped loving you, Katie.” The words made my heart jump, but his expression was still dark and tormented. “It’s never been about me loving you.” “Then what’s it been about?” All color left my face as I stared at him. “It’s been about you and if you’re ready. If you’ve finally grown up. If you see love as a real and deep emotion that can’t be toyed with or if this all still a game to you.” His words sounded angry. “I see.” I swallowed hard, upset inside. His words had hurt me. I couldn’t believe that once again he was harping on about my age. Was I never going to be able to move on from that one small lie? “Your skin is so soft. It reminds me of rose petals.” His fingers trailed down my cheek and his lips nibbled on my ear. “Why are you changing the subject again?” I breathed out, running my hands through his hair. “What do you want to talk about?” he whispered in my ear. “Are we getting back together?” I whispered back, turning my lips to his. “Let’s talk about this later.” His lips came down on mine and I closed my eyes as I melted into him. My brain was happy and my heart was dancing. Brandon was going to leave Maria, and that was all I cared about. Maybe we really did have a shot at a future together. And then I felt my insides freeze. There was still the