NNE'

ay his hand rested on my back silenced me. It was

tly... the kind of touch t

He just guided me through the restaurant like

an it should have. My body betrayed me, remembering what it felt like to b

d us, soft and cool. The faint s

refully,"

above my head to shield it as I bent to slide in. His nearness sent a sh

the driver's side, his jaw tight, his expression un

t stop myself from ste

et lamps, the firm set of his mouth, the muscle in his jaw twitching and the

in the air between us was alive, rolling off him like heat

at my home. I said quie

e meeting mine dark, steady, and de

be. My control was already stretched thin. One to

out fragile, almost pleading. "T

t a word, he stepped out, his tall frame moving around the

nce was its own kind of power, masculine and impossible to res

feel was him. His presence towered over me

or. But just as I reached for the lock, h

me sharply, and

ad nearly struck it too, but his hand caught the back of my skull, shi

it came out softer, more

heek. I turned my head to the side, trying to brea

If he moved just a fract

nd rough. "Every word, Ro. I want you. I wa

But I stayed still, trapped in that sliver of heat

lose I could almost taste the word as it slipp

nd dry, fingers clinging to my

ngerous kind of calm. "I can smell the hunger in

He took a small step closer with the

ow much you want to run your fingers through my hair just like you did

pause, did

never loved you..." His eyes softened, the next words coming like a prom

r between us. He was seduc

I thought I could hear it. His eyes were seri

stammer.

words trembling on my lips. "Married to your

e word came out raw, shaken, al

"You're all I wan

ame. S

anything but. Brown-haired, blue-eyed, tall, too beautiful for someone who could sound s

e to Jett. He'd made sure of it. That I changed everything

ho I was before. Of how single, how widowed I

nt you to be happy," he said softly, "and smile like

ying to breathe through the weight of his

, before rising to meet mine again. "Go in

gainst my ribs. I couldn't stand those eyes a

oice came again, deep and rough enough to still

or a brief moment, I couldn't breathe. Then, I tore m

slumped against the wood. My bre

ll outside

sion glowed in cold silence. It was too big and too empt

as trapped in a tower. No one real

rom him, and I felt seen.

he silence. I found it in my purse, and relief was

quickly.

g the stairs, trying to steady

me you forgo

No. I-" I swallowed. "I already arranged

. "Better be early. I have

efore I could resp

the bed, staring up at the cei

arer. I dialled her back imm

l be there i

voice this time. I needed dist

t Eli Carter had ignited. Maybe time a