𝐎𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞

Chapter Fifteen

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It was the please that did it, the desperate look in his eyes that showed how much he wanted her; the heavy-lidded gaze, the fluttering of his eyes lashes as if he was trying to hide the lust he couldn't, the unsteady hand cupping her neck, all those were more than enough. Still, the most valid reason, the one she couldn't deny, was that she wanted to kiss him back.

Matthew kissed her gently at first, slowly, like in slow motion, tasting her lips, rolling his tongue around hers, nibbling the lower lip lightly, taking his time until he heard her moan. It was like unleashing a monster, he dived into her mouth, kissing her deeply, roughly as if he was hungry and maybe he was—her taste was intoxicating, and if she hadn't pulled back, he would have pulled off her sweater as he wanted.

"Please stop," Imani whispered, extricating his fingers from the sweater, whimpering when his breath touched her face. Matthew reluctantly released it, but he put his hands on her shoulders because they were shaking, his nose on the bridge of hers.

"You confuse me," she mumbled, closing her eyes, trying not to nestle against his shoulder.

"Why?"

"You can't possibly ask that! " she snapped, "one minute you're accusing me of being a gold digger and the next you're kissing me like you like me," she trailed off, horrified at what she'd just confessed and the loud silence that followed.

He tipped up her chin; the look in his eyes made the world stop spinning, "I like you."

Imani thought she heard the crushing of her heart, the loud bang of doubt, the excitement of his confession having the potential to be true.

"Why?" the disbelief in her voice had him grin, "why not?" she narrowed her eyes, "that's not an answer."

"Go out with me tomorrow night, and I will answer all your questions."

"All of them?"

"All of them," he repeated, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and then kissing her forehead. Imani held her breath as she felt his lips, sighing softly as he rained gentle kisses on her face.

"I can't be seen with you," there was disappointment in her voice, but Matthew was shocked. "Why the hell not?"

"I don't want my face and name all over the internet."

He nodded, a flush of something like triumph rolling across his face.

"Don't worry; it won't be in public."

In a voice loaded with suspicion, she asked, "In private? "

"I promise nothing will happen,"

She shook her head, not believing him. Matthew knew he had given her enough reasons not to trust him, but he wanted her to.

"I will keep that promise; I give you my word", he assured her, lifting her chin between his thumb and index finger.

"A gentleman's promise?"

He laughed out loud, a vibrating sound originating from his belly that light his up his face—a sound so sensual Imani felt a lush of desire run through her belly.

"No, darling, I'm no gentleman," he stated, managing to control his amusement.

She frowned, a deep furrow appearing on her brows, "what do you mean?"

"It means I will break a promise that keeps me from getting what I want."

"What is to keep you from breaking this one?" she shrugged nonchalantly, but Matthew could see the unease in her eyes. The wariness, the battle of will between herself.