His Adam's apple bobbed, and his fingers, braced on either side of her, tightened convulsively.
Serena was just about to pull back.
But Nicholas leaned in, chasing her lips.
He pressed against her, deepening the contact.
It wasn't a fleeting touch like before.
It carried a heavy dose of repression, mixed with the agonizing reluctance of a man pushed to the absolute edge of his restraint.
Serena's eyes narrowed slightly, her fingers still loosely hooked around his tie.
She made no move to push him away.
However, Nicholas didn't push any further.
He knew perfectly well that if he took it any further, he truly wouldn't be leaving this room tonight.
He released her, closing his eyes as he forcibly smothered the storm raging in his gaze. He rested his forehead against hers. "Serena, you are exquisite torture."
Deliberately not pulling away.
Not stopping him.
Letting him deepen the kiss.
All while knowing exactly...
That he couldn't actually cross the line.
It was agonizing... he was losing his mind.
Serena chuckled softly. "You are so hard to please. You don't want this, you don't want that. You should just leave."
The man's burning eyes remained fixed on her.
It took him several long moments before he finally took a deep breath.
He lowered his head and pressed one last, incredibly light kiss to the corner of her mouth.
"Serena."
His voice was thick with strain. "Don't lie to me."
He kept his forehead gently pressed against hers.
Those beautiful eyes were saturated with an impenetrable layer of fear. "Don't lie to me, and don't leave me behind."
Serena's fingers paused imperceptibly.
Nicholas watched her.
It was as if he wanted to memorize every microscopic shift in her expression.
A few seconds later, Serena smiled. "Nicholas, you're being extremely clingy."
Nicholas didn't deny it. "Yes. Because I'm terrified."

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABEL
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Messing With Her? Are You Crazy!