Promise Me Darkness by Paige Weaver Read Free Book Online Page B

hips, gripping me with need. Heat traveled down my body to pool somewhere private, somewhere intimate.
    My hands had a mind of their own as they lightly touched his stomach, finding rigid muscles beneath my fingertips.
    Without breaking the kiss, he lifted me to sit on the bathroom counter. Nudging my legs apart, he moved between them. His hands left my hips to tangle in my hair, holding my head steady as his teeth gently nipped at my bottom lip. His kiss matched his personality — wild with no holds barred, demanding and taking what he wanted.
    His lips moved over to graze my ear. “I want to be inside of you, Maddie,” he said in a whisper. “Let me be the first.”
    I closed my eyes at the tingle his words sent through me. The softness of his jeans against my bare thighs made thinking impossible.
    “Forget the party. Forget Ben. Stay with me.”
    His mouth took control of mine again, his tongue teasing and tormenting.
    In the back of my mind, I knew this wasn’t right. I loved Ryder. I really did. I couldn’t live without him. He made me feel things I’ve never felt before. But this was wrong even if it did feel so right.
    It was impossible to think with his lips hot and full on mine. But when his hands slipped beneath my shirt to glide over my bare stomach, I knew I couldn’t do this.
    Using both hands, I pushed him away, breaking our kiss and separating us by inches. We were both breathing hard, staring at each other with hunger.
    “This is wrong,” I whispered.
    "Does it feel wrong?" he asked huskily, moving between my legs again. His hand eased under my hair, caressing the back of my neck.
    “No, but we can’t do this,” I said, breathlessly. It would be so easy to give into my feelings and pull him to my bedroom. To give him what he wanted.
    “One time, that’s all I’m asking for," he said in a raspy voice, brushing his lips against mine. "No one has to know. It will be between us. Our secret.” He trailed his lips down to my jawline while his hands cradled my head gently.
    I closed my eyes, his lips hot against me, his frank words ringing in my ears. One time? Was I just another girl he was trying to score with? I couldn’t be that kind of woman even if I wanted him.
    I needed more.
    I put more strength behind my push this time, shoving him far away from me. He hit the bathroom wall with force, stunning him. Before he could touch me again, I jumped off the bathroom counter and ran to my room. Slamming the door behind me, I slumped against the wall.
    My heart was pounding wildly. The air was rushing in and out of my lungs quickly. I felt exhilaration and worry at the same time.
    Ryder. Kissed. Me.
    The scary thing was I wanted him. I wanted him in my bedroom. I wanted him to be my first. This couldn’t be happening. I couldn’t want my best friend this much.
    “Open the door, Maddie,” his deep voice said sternly from the other side.
    I stared at the door, afraid he would open it. Afraid of what I would do if he did.
    “Go away, Ryder!”
    “I want to talk to you. Open up,” he said, low and calm. "Now."
    “No!”
    It grew quiet. Thinking he left, I lay down on the bed and stared at the ceiling. I needed to get my head on straight. Eva was right. Ryder was a player, the worst kind. I refused to be added to his collection of women, no matter what my body wanted.
    I suddenly grew angry. How dare he treat me like another one of his floozies! Me, the girl who knew him better than anyone else! The girl that was always there for him no matter what stupid things he did or said. He couldn’t scare me away or ruin our friendship, damn it! Determined not to hide from him, I pushed off the bed and yanked open the bedroom door.
    He was leaning against the wall, staring at me solemnly. I started to walk around him when he reached out to grab my arm.
    “Wait, Maddie.”
    I moved out of his reach and walked quickly to the kitchen. Jerking open a cabinet door, I took down a coffee mug and slammed it on