"Hey… Karl…"
Kaija's voice came out weak and breathless beneath the young man's lips.
For what felt like an eternity—though it had probably only been ten minutes—Karl had kissed her with the desperation of a man who had been starving for years and had suddenly stumbled upon his first meal. His mouth claimed hers again and again, relentless and insistent, drawing her lower lip between his own whenever he wanted to deepen the kiss.
Her hands were trapped beneath his, fingers intertwined and pinned on either side of her head.
His chest pressed firmly against hers.
Even through the thick sweatshirt, she could feel the furious pounding of his heart.
The moment he heard her voice, the assault finally ceased.
Karl's eyelids lifted slowly.
"What?" he whispered.
His gaze remained fixed on her lips, now flushed and damp.
Kaija struggled to catch her breath.
"What are you…" she panted. "What are you doing?"
"I think I know what I want from you for that favor now, birdie."
