Page 52 of Maliea's Hero

“Then I’m going with you,” Maliea said.

Reid drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Okay. We’ll let them know in the morning. And only if Nani isn’t freaked out by being left behind.”

Maliea nodded. “Agreed.”

When Maliea made no move to go back inside and rest for the next day’s activities, Reid bit out, “Go. Rest.”

“Why?” she whispered.

“Because we might have a long day tomorrow, and you’ll need the sleep,” he said, still not looking at her.

“No,” she said. “Why do you want to kiss me?”

He tipped his head backward, closed his eyes and gritted his teeth. “This discussion has no purpose. Go to bed.”

Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Maliea shake her head.

“Fine,” he said. “I’ll go. Goodnight.” He turned to leave, but Maliea stepped in front of him, blocking his path.

“I told you I was sorry I said anything. Don’t make this anymore awkward than I already have,” Reid said.

“I hope I don’t.” Maliea wrapped her hand around the back of Reid’s neck, leaned up on her toes and pressed her lips to his.

That one kiss unleashed inside Reid what had been building all day and evening.

His hands gripped her hips. Instead of pushing her away, he pulled her closer, deepening the kiss until she opened to him.

Reid thrust his tongue past her teeth to claim hers in a sensuous caress.

Both her hands wove into his hair, urging him to get even closer.

His hips moved against hers.

Her leg slipped up the back of his calf, her sex sliding across his thigh, the heat burning through his jeans to his skin.

He lowered his hands to the swells of her ass and lifted.

Maliea wrapped her legs around his waist, her sex rubbing the ridge beneath the fly of his jeans.

He groaned into her mouth, his body on fire, his need all-consuming.

When he finally came up for air, his breaths were ragged as if he’d been running uphill. He set her back on her feet and leaned his forehead against hers.

“This is so wrong,” he said.

Her hands lowered to rest against his chest. “Because I’m a new widow?” she asked. “Is it wrong for me to want to be desired after living with a man who chose his Teacher’s Assistant over his wife?” Her fingers dug into his shirt. “Is it wrong to act on a passion so strong I can barely breathe?”

Reid’s breath caught and held at the rawness in her voice.

She tipped her head up and captured his gaze with hers. “Do you really want to kiss me?” She sighed. “Because I really want to kiss you.”

“I do,” he said, weaving his hands into her thick dark hair. “But I’m afraid.”

Maliea laughed breathily. “You’re not afraid of anything.”

He stared down into her dark eyes, holding her head steady in his hands. “I’m afraid that once I start kissing you, I won’t be able to stop. I’ll want more. Already, I’ve stepped over the line. This is wrong.”

“Fuck the line,” she whispered, digging her fingers into his shirt and pulling him closer. “Fuck what’s wrong. Fuck me.”