Page 70 of Marked

He rotated back to face her, his hip resting against the sink. “What’s wrong?”

She dipped her gaze, but all that did was force her to take in his lower abs and the waistband of his briefs. Inches below hung his erect cock, barely concealed in his underwear. Her pulse quickened.

If he noticed her checking him out, he wasn’t the least bit fazed.

“Sophia?”

She let her attention trail leisurely up his body. Having her world back in one piece was making her bolder.

Not bold. Reckless.

“I just—I want to thank you.”

He crossed his arms over his chest and shrugged. “Don’t mention it.”

She let out a light chuckle. “No, you don’t understand. You did the impossible tonight. If it weren’t for you, she’d still be...” Her voice caught and just like that, tears rushed to her eyes.

She’d never shake the feeling of vulnerability. Never would she forget how close she’d come to her world being shattered.

But it hadn’t been.

Sucking in a breath, she surged forward, throwing her arms around Cole’s neck. His body turned to stone, his crossed arms still a barrier between them, but she didn’t care. It didn’t matter that she was hugging a wall. She needed him to feel her gratitude since she couldn’t speak it.

“There’s no way I can ever repay you. But you need to know that you’re a good person. You’re not who I thought you were.”

Slowly, his arms shifted and wrapped around her back. His fingers twitched on her spine and his breath stirred her hair. The wall of muscle that was his chest and abdomen rose and fell against her breasts.

Desire stirred inside her.

“Who did you think I was?”

Slowly, she pulled away. Part of her wanted to hide her impression of him, but that wasn’t fair. He’d only been honest with her. She tucked her hair behind her ear. “A... a monster.”

He didn’t blink. Just stayed frozen, as if her words hadn’t fully reached him. Several beats passed. “What do you think now?”

Her heart whirred in her chest. “A hero.”

This time his face softened and something flashed in his eyes. Hesitancy? No. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but something inside Cole was exposed now.

Naked.

His thumb swept in a circle over her skin and his gaze lowered to her lips.

Caution screamed in her head, telling her to run. To stop things right here. But God help her, she needed to touch someone. To touch him.

She ground her hips into his groin.

God, Sophia. Don’t.

His eyes blazed gray fire in her direction. Barely restrained hunger flashed in his irises, and his body, which had been loose and relaxed while she stitched him, was now rigid and tense.

Bringing her palm to his jaw, she stroked her thumb over the dark, thick bristles that were just longer than a five-o’clock shadow. His lips parted a fraction, and surprise flickered in his features.

“I’m no hero. You don’t need to thank me.” Warning laced his words, as if he knew she was messing with someone she shouldn’t.

She was already in over her head.

Cole Holmes had changed her and right now, she wanted him more than anything. She rose higher on her toes and brought her lips to his mouth.

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