Oh no. I need to breathe. Calm down.
My face is heating up, his kisses burning across my skin with every hitched breath I try to suppress.
He's holding me hostage on his lap—one arm wrapped firmly around my waist, the other resting possessively on my abdomen.
"Not going to stop me, huh?"
His smug smile deepened as he slowly nibbled my earlobe.
I… can't… stop.
Then—the doorbell.
"I don't remember you ever expecting anyone this early in the morning."
Raven broke the kiss, his sharp gaze flicking toward the door, a warning in his eyes.
This is my chance. As his grip loosened slightly, I slipped free from his lap.
"Oh, it's a surprise for you."
I tried to keep my voice steady, hiding just how affected I still was, and hurried to the door.
"Oh, you didn—"
Before he could finish, I swung the door open, and the lively guest burst in, greeting with unstoppable enthusiasm.
"Hey! Here I am to get my dear sweet brother!"
"Bastard dog, Zack! F**k!"
He cringed, looking like a cat thrown into chaos at the sudden intrusion.
Raven's cousin, Zack Lane—aka the family's born flirt—stood there, full of that teasing, charming energy I knew all too well.
"Oh, Lara. Pleasure meeting you again. It's been so long. And wow… you just keep getting more beautiful every time I see you."
"Yes, Lane default settings," I muttered under my breath: born flirt, all charm, no chill.
"It's a pleasure seeing you again, Zack. You're as… good as always."
Did I mention Zack is a…