Page 3 (1/2)

1

ALICIA

I’er in the back of a dark alley Especially not a devastatingly sexy, dark-eyed stranger who I’ve barely known for five minutes flat

I’, I play by the rules I bring hostess gifts, send thank you notes and get well cards; I hand wash et my dental check up like clock-work every six months

If a guy hits on ar under his touch, stuainst the brick wall I don’t open h hisand alive under his blazing kiss

Except I do I aht long enough to remember why not

The stranger grips ainst his body His tongue probes deeper, and I can’t help but part my lips to let him in, dizzy from the taste of him, and the sudden rush of heat like wildfire in my veins

He lets out a lol, knotting one hand in ainst mine

Dear Lord

I’ve never been kissed like this, not even close Hismine It’s a reckless kiss, a desperate plea, and in the hazy part of my mind not completely overwhelmed by sensation, I wonder

Is he kissing to forget so?

Someone?

Just like me

I don’t even knoe got here One uished tears The next, he was right here in front ofmy mama warned me not to touch Black leather jacket, tousled hair, the ink of a tattoo twisting up the side of his neck, and a wicked look in those dark eyes the devil himself would have envied

“You look like you could use a cigarette,” he drawls, stepping out of the shadows

I whirl around “You scaredto hide the traces ofto celebration and family, but I’ve never felt so alone in all my life

I s backat him properly for the first time That’s when I feel my heart skitter in my chest, a quick jolt of nerves, of unease

Of pure desire

I quickly shake the thought away He’s holding out the cigarette packet “No, thank you,” I tell him politely “I don’t smoke”

“Neither do I” The stranger gives s will kill you?”

I pause, curious “So why do it?”

“Why do we do anything that’s bad for us?” he asks me, his voice a deep, honeyed drawl “Because we like how it feels, living life on the edge”

I sigh “Speak for yourself,” I tell hi of my own, perfectly-ordered world “I like it safe Predictable Easy”

He closes the distance between us in a couple of long strides, until he’s standing just inches away “That’s a sha down at ht Black as sin

“Danger would sure look good on you”

Before I can think, he reaches out and brushes a stray lock of hair from my cheek

His touch spirals through me, a bolt of liquid heat My breath catches in my throat

“What are you doing?” I gasp, but I don’t ht in the dark pools of his stare, paralyzed by soently brushes across the skin

Oh, how I feel it, everywhere, the one whispered touchmy whole body weak

“What do you think?” His lips curl in an arin

I flush, feeling like an innocent school-girl suddenly way out of ht away I could take the words back I sound so naive, but it’s true I’ve never felt a desire like this; such a basic hunger, tight between hs

I shouldn’t be here I shouldn’t let him touch me like this

“When was the last tier asks, his eyes still fixed on ers trace lower, down the sensitive skin of ainst my skin

“I don’t do crazy,” I whisper back, struck with a sudden pang

“So try it,” he says, a note of challenge in his voice His fingertips tease lower, across e of my neckline “I promise I won’t tell”

I stare at hiirl he thinks I am Wild and bold and brave But I have to look away

“You don’t know ret “This isn’t I’irl”

His hand drops fro out in protest But it’s too late I can see from his face, he’s disappointed in me

Bitter regret crashes through me

You had the chance to be reckless, and you chose to play it safe No wonder you’re always alone

“I’ back towards the door before I can feel any more of a fool

“Wait!” I hear his voice behind me, a harsh order But before I can turn, his hands are on, heart-stopping kiss