Page 117 of Fake Dark Vows

The words freeze me in place. “What?”

“Do you want to kiss me?”

I blink. “Well. I mean. Yeah, but I’m not sure?”

Elio doesn’t wait for me to say anything else.

Moments later I’m swept up into his arms. His lips are on mine.

And my body ignites.

I’ve kissed other boys before. I’m not a nun and my brothers don’t know my life. I haven’t had sex, sure, but I’ve definitely kissed.

Elio’s kiss blows everything else out of the water.

His lips are soft and firm, and when he grips the back of my neck to deepen our connection I gladly do so, letting out a little sigh while he does.

He groans into my mouth. “Caterina, you are so sweet…”

“Cat,” I whisper and pull back. “I go by Cat.”

His eyes glitter. “Cat it is then. Will you give me the pleasure of another kiss, my Cat?”

Yes.

I don’t say that. I just lean forward.

Elio’s mouth on mine is like fire.

I’m lost in him.

I’m not even sure where he begins and where I end. My body is just sensations, rolled together into each other, crashing over me in waves.

I want more.

Elio’s lips skate down my neck and I’m gasping, pressing against him like I’m actually a cat, rubbing on him for contact.

“Elio,” I breathe as his hands skate dangerously close to the top of my dress. “I want more.”

He freezes. “Cat, how much…”

“Everything,” I whisper.

His eyes go wide. “But…”

“Here. Right now. We couldn’t choose each other, but we can choose this.”

Elio stares at me for another moment, then nods. “God save me. I want you too, Cat.”

He wants me too.

There’s some space under the tree, and he lays his jacket down. I move, shifting from the bench to the spot he made. His face is tight. “Cara mia, this isn’t right. It’s not how I want to…”

“But it’s what I want, Elio,” I whisper. I lean down on his jacket and slowly pull the sleeves of my dress down.

His eyes go wide as my breasts are bared to the night air, and I smile.

“We’re going to spend the rest of our lives together. What’s the harm in a little fun right now?”