Hot Pursuit

Chapter 14

[GEORGINA's POV]

Kissing him? Right... I was kissing him. Back. Kieran had kissed me first though and I was just standing there letting him be. Which was one thing I was starting to feel confused about. And why am I even confused about that? I don't know why he was suddenly kissing me out of the blue. But damn...

He really was a good kisser just how those sleazy articles played out about his reputation. I can no longer think rationally because of it. And I knew I had to push him away. However, the way he was kissing me was totally consuming, I was completely swept away by the drowning effect of the way he was taking the lead, getting the upper hand as he even managed to sink his fingers through the ends of my curls. This was absolutely blinding. I really didn't have the will to think anymore as I blindly went with it. Then after a few more seconds of just him teasing my bottom lip with a soft nimble, I suddenly felt the tip of his tongue tracing the seams of my lips as if asking for an entrance. I did not really know what I should do next.

But as if on instinct, I felt my own mouth moving according to his desire, parting on its own as he finally kissed deeper and slowly invaded me. I was completely hypnotized. This was not the thing I was expecting when he had shown up as he promised. He only told me that he was going to rehearse something with me but if I just knew better... I would have stayed away from all of this.

When he finally pulled away, coming up for air, I was still hung up in the entire thing. It took me some time to eventually open my eyes again and just felt even much weaker upon seeing the way Kieran was staring down at me. My throat had become too dry, I think my face just froze and I began to have some trouble breathing evenly. This was all quite too sudden and I was still trying to process what just happened.

Perhaps, it was really a wrong idea that I went and agreed to come here. Because this was obviously starting to get a little too dangerous for me. Not that I was in any kind of serious damage or threat here though. I was only afraid of making a total fool of myself just because this incredibly hot and popular guy was trying to kiss me senselessly. But then again, I willfully led myself straight to this whole scenario not expecting anything at all, just the fact that I could get back the stuff that Kieran stole from me. And look where it ended. Ha.

It just took one kiss from him for me to succumb to his intimidating presence. I should have known better. But then, regrets only appear once it was already too late and the deed was done. I can never take that back anymore... My first kiss. Was this supposed to be special? Damn. So much for keeping myself pure. But then, I don't think I could ever complain now. It was actually a really great experience. My first kiss felt too passionate and sensational. And I think he just set the standards too high for me now.

But it was not like I even know anything more about how kisses should feel like. I was still trying to wrap my head around it. Was he even serious about this? What the hell did he even kiss me for?

"You're all set," was all he ever said to me just after giving me the best kiss—probably—that I could ever have in my life. But I was not going to tell him that. I don't want him to feel accomplished about something or what. Hell, I don't even want him to know that he was my first kiss. Damn.

I really should have known better.

"What was that for?" I found myself asking shortly after I felt Kieran dropping his arm around me. I slowly took a step back, trying not to tumble over the high heels that I was wearing. I was still uncomfortable about how tight the dress was and how it was quite difficult to balance over the thin stilettos on my feet, but I tried enduring this because I still don't have any clue what role was I supposed to play this time for him. All I really wanted to get from this was the camera, my things, and the freedom from this damn bastard.

"For your character," Kieran just answered with not much of a glance as he looked at something on his phone and continued to scroll through the device's screen instead. Then after a short pause, he finally looked up and gave me his attention again, before saying, "You're going to be my date tonight."

That's right. I already kind of knew that he was going to ask me to be his "pretend" date. Maybe for publicity purposes. And I never really mind if that was the case. Even if I had to force myself to smile through the entire party. But the only thing that bothered me was why he should even kiss me in the first place just to test me out. What the hell was really that for? He never directly answered the purpose of it.

"Should I expect another kiss once we get there at the party?" I said partly teasing, partly curious too. I just could not understand at all. Why was this even happening to me? But when I asked that, it must have come out as if I was still expecting him to do it again because Kieran suddenly chuckled and slowly moved towards me once more. This time, he did not take that long enough to pull me back so close that our faces were only mere centimeters apart. I could feel his hot breath fanned over my cheek as I stared into those mesmerizing eyes.

This was not so good now. But somehow, my heart started racing in anticipation. Was I actually thinking about letting him kiss me again? I'm really a fool, am I? Damn it. Please get a grip, Georgina. You should know where limits should be set between you and this conceited bastard.

But Kieran did not even sense my grudging thoughts as he just mischievously planted a soft kiss on my nose and grinned wider. Then he whispered over my lips, "Expect more, Miss Georgina. I'm still not done with you yet."

That seemed threatening but I still found myself snorting back at him. Which resulted in another chuckle escaping from Kieran's lips. His eyes glinted over the dim light of the chandelier. He looked like he was amused now and for some reason, my lips slowly curved up into a smirk.

"Be careful there, you lover boy," I dared back, matching the challenge in Kieran's stare as he kept his hold on me, "I might start thinking you're falling in love with me."

It was supposed to be a joke but as soon as those words left my mouth, it sounded more like a warning. And Kieran, who slowly let go of me afterward, just shook his head slightly but his face told otherwise. He was a little taken aback by what I said, and I think I just suddenly crossed a line but tried not to look awkward about it. I was only teasing though but suddenly I was starting to feel guilty about something I still don't know why I should be guilty about.

But Kieran was smiling at me again. Then he replied, just before he turned his back on me as if the conversation was finally over, "I should not worry about me here, Miss Georgina. It's yourself that you should be worried about. I don't want you falling for me so I hope you didn't misunderstand that kiss."

What a total jerk. I felt myself scowling at the words he just left in the air. I was never going to misunderstand that. But I was still confused why! That was the point. It was him who had been teasing me from the very start but when I started teasing him back, he would just arrogantly reverse the entire scrutiny towards me. That was unfair. Let's see then, you Kieran Locke!

You will totally get what you had coming for you. I swear I'd make you pay for what you did to me.

And with that heavy frustration and resolve filling my entire mind, I silently followed the man out of the room, preparing to play the first-ever role I had been given to portray right in front of a live audience. Let this game begin them.