Wicked Things We Crave

Chapter Six

There was an entirely new thing learned about Jonah that night. When he said, 'I don't dance', it didn't mean that he didn't know how. He wouldn't be winning any talent shows with his skill, but the skill existed. No matter the beat, he moved with it perfectly and seemed at ease with himself for the first time that night.

When he was tall, dark and handsome's age, Astrid wondered how easy getting a girl had been for Jonah. Considering they seemed to flock to him while he put in zero effort or showed any interest in his forties, fifteen years ago he likely never had to go home alone if he didn't want to.

Not that it was any of her business, nor should it have interested her or even entered her mind. It was likely because he seemed so carefree dancing with her. At least, he was until Anya went back to playing music the two of them should never dance to.

Astrid took a single step back when 'Wicked Game' began, unsure of how to proceed. The song was sensual enough on its own, yet the way Anya sang it was as if she was mentally willing clothes to drop.

Jonah looked down at the ground between them, let out a cough, then closed the distance once again and wrapped one arm around her waist while the other clasped with hers and rested it against his chest. They swayed to the beat of the song, the air around her feeling thick from the warm bodies surrounding them; the warm body in front of her.

When Astrid closed her eyes and rested her head against the crook of his neck, she noticed how unfamiliar he felt for the first time in her life. Not in a bad way. It just didn't feel like Jonah dancing with her, but another man with his arms around her, holding her with purpose, strength, and warmth. It was nice in a way it wasn't meant to be nice.

The hand which was once around her waist became fingertips tracing along the small of her back, and his even heartbeat beneath her palm took an erratic turn.

While she'd known this man every day of her life, every touch felt like the first and the nearness of him was creating this sensation deep within her, unmatched by anything she'd ever felt before.

The free hand that wasn't already caught by him moved from the back of his neck and her fingers trailed down the bare skin of his arm, noticing goosebumps she'd created by her touch. Astrid heard his breathing hitch and felt his grip against his chest loosen from its shaky grasp.

Astrid tilted her head up, wanting to see some sign on his face she wasn't the only one feeling this mysterious effect, and his timid lips found hers before she could form so much as a single coherent thought. What began as a single, all too brief peck strengthened into his mouth capturing hers in something that could only be described as true magic. Every sense within her heightened. Every second lasted a lifetime.

As Jonah deepened the kiss, her weak body shuddered against his, using the last of her strength to pull him closer. She expected the single act to shock him back into reality, but Astrid was the one left in shock as his tongue dipped between her lips and tangled with her own. All Astrid could do was try her best to keep up and avoid passing out.

She didn't know when the song ended, but became fully aware when it was replaced with a heavier rock song, the drum smacking them back to the harsh reality of what just happened. Jonah's mouth left hers, her lips tingling and feeling swollen. Astrid knew once she made eye contact with him, the gravity of what they'd both just done would devour them. It was a kiss she hadn't realized she'd waited a lifetime for, but that moment wasn't hers to keep.

He leaned in once again, still holding her as if they were dancing to the song before, and his mouth moved to her ear. "Tell me never to kiss you again," Jonah demanded.

All Astrid could do was shake her head. She knew if she tried to speak, the words would have come out a mess; in the wrong order, stumbling over one another, or just random noises creating words that didn't exist.

"Tell me you're drunk and not in the right frame of mind."

Again, Astrid just shook her head. She'd had three drinks that night, spaced out, and four glasses of water. Astrid may not have been a heavy drinker, but she wasn't a lightweight either. Even if she'd had one too many, the kiss to end all kisses would have sobered her ass right up.

"You have to stop me, Astrid, because in a few seconds, I won't be able to stop myself."

Finally, she found her voice. "I don't want you to stop yourself."

His forehead came to rest against hers while his hands grabbed her waist, his fingers gripping her tight enough to leave a mark. "This could ruin everything, Astrid. Our friendship, my friendship with your father, the business... everything will come crashing down."

If he hadn't been holding her so tightly, Astrid would have taken a step back. Instead, all she could do was use her words. "Fine. Don't kiss me."

"Say it like you mean it," Jonah demanded of her.

"I can't." She could say the words, but not with conviction. "I've never had a kiss feel like that before. You can tell me to say the words, and I'll do it because I don't want to ruin your life, but you can't make me mean them."

Jonah's heavy breath heated her sensitive skin. "I have zero self-control right now, Astrid. You're the one who's going to have to push me away. Remind me you're too damn good and pure for the shit I want to do to you right now."

Astrid forced eye contact then, staring into the eyes that were both familiar and that of a stranger. They were so much darker than the shade of pale green they normally were, almost appearing a dark gray.

Her organs felt like they were doing somersaults in her stomach, twisting around and creating a jumbled mess. They'd gone from a perfect kiss to something entirely different; something that darkened his eyes and made her want in a way she'd wanted nothing before.

"I'm not as pure as you think."

Those eyes of his narrowed at her, his hands pressing her impossibly close. "I'm not fucking around here. You have to walk away."