Chapter 16
Chapter 16:
“You’re not wrong,” I said, laughing. “Back then, I was a complete mess—partying every weekend, too many nights sneaking out, drinking when I shouldn’t have, always getting into some kind of trouble at school. My parents probably lost sleep for years, but they never gave up on me. By nineteen, I finally settled down,” I explained.
“See? I knew there was a wild side hiding under that calm armor.” He winked.
“I’ve calmed down a lot since then,” I said.
“Hard to imagine, honestly. Something tells me you’ve still got a little wild in you,” he said with a teasing smile.
Maybe he was right, but he didn’t need to know what actually made me reckless.
“Keep guessing, but you won’t get a direct answer out of my mouth.” My voice dropped, matching the playful gleam in his eyes.
𝗧𝗋𝗲𝗻𝖽𝗂𝘯𝗀 𝗻𝘰𝘃еlѕ о𝗻.со𝘮
He caught the hint immediately.
“Never say never,” he replied.
I gave him a pointed look and raised a brow. It was clear subtlety didn’t bother him.
Whatever he was thinking, I could see it in his expression—he wanted me to cross a line I knew I shouldn’t. I refused to become the cliché secretary who slept with her boss. That wasn’t me.
“In your dreams,” I said, laughing.
“I really hope that’s true,” he replied, his voice a little rougher than usual.
My throat tightened, and I deliberately leaned back. His flirting had to stop—and so did my reactions. Redirecting the conversation felt like the safest bet, so I latched onto the first neutral topic that came to mind.
Two hours later, the table was covered in empty bottles.
With wine and beer, laughter came easily and nerves faded. Davidson’s teasing didn’t unsettle me anymore. I felt lighter, freer, more at ease. My attraction to him didn’t seem as dangerous as it had before.
“You really are impressive, Winona. How is it possible no man has made you lose your mind yet?” Davidson asked, watching me.
“Maybe I’m just waiting for someone who feels right,” I replied, lightly sinking my teeth into my lower lip as I held his gaze.
A small sound escaped him—almost a groan—and I realized the lip bite had gotten to him. Davidson leaned in, his face a breath away from mine. With a gentle hand, he tucked a stray strand behind my ear, then let his palm rest against my cheek.
Trying not to show how nervous I was, I held his gaze, my heart pounding as he leaned closer. I should have pulled away. Instead, I stayed frozen in place.
His lips found mine before I had time to think it through.
A soft moan of satisfaction slipped from me as we sank into the kiss.
Any resistance I had dissolved as I gave myself over to him, drawn in by his warmth and the taste of him.
His strong hands found my hips and pulled me closer. His mouth pressed to mine sent a rush of heat through my body, sparking a fierce craving I couldn’t ignore. Something deep and urgent stirred inside me as his tongue traced my lower lip, coaxing a needy sound from my throat. My mouth parted, and he slid his tongue in eagerly, turning the kiss into something wild and burning.
Then panic jolted through me. What was I doing?