CHAPTER 24: Crossed Boundaries

  Scarlett's POV

  I was caught off guard.

  Ryder's kiss was so...different.

  He tasted different; his masculine cologne smelled different, and he was so...different.

  Ryder's kiss, at that moment, felt like I was bathed in gold and roses and was being prepared to be transported to heaven in a golden, gem-studded carriage.

  Clearly, he was taking me to the Heaven of Sins with his kiss.

  I was frozen in my place. I didn't know if I should have reacted to his kiss or not.

  I could feel his lips moving over mine, but my body had shut itself off, not responding to anything. My body even refused to breathe, a basic function to keep me alive.

  The kiss felt awkward on his part. He was left wondering why I wasn't responding, or at least pushing him away. There was no response at all, which was confusing for Ryder.

  He parted from the kiss, hesitantly.

  Before I could react to the situation as a whole, I felt two other arms pull me into a safe, possessive hug from behind.