Page 47 of Our Deceptive Heat

“Don’t give up, don’t quit. I know you, Ryn, and I have never seen you look like this.”

She casts a quick look at me but then looks away just as quickly. “I’m not giving up.”

I grip her chin, turning her face towards me.

All at once, I forget what I’m doing. Images slam into my brain. Memories I’ve replayed a million times.

She inhales, just a slight, sharp little inhale that draws my eyes to her lips. I know she’s remembering that night, too. If I’d have known what would happen, would I still have done it?

Yes.

“Tell me to stop,” I breathe and lean in really slowly.

“Stop,” she says, but there’s no conviction.

“Tell me you don’t want me,” I whisper against her lips.

“I don’t-”

I press my lips to hers. She’s softer than I remember, and she tastes incredible. Coconut and this flavour that is distinctly her. She responds instantly, putting a hand against my neck and one to my shoulder. Her fingers curl as I kiss her deeper.

Still just as responsive as she was the night we both gave in and betrayed everyone we love.

I yank back, tearing free from her.

“Fuck!” I breathe in horror. “I have no control around you.”

She looks down but the hotel door opens. I turn away, wiping my mouth, and pull my hood up.

“Hurry, go shower, dress, do whatever you need to do. We have a plane to catch!” Tony barks out.

Mako saunters past him like we’ve got all the time in the world. Tony growls and whacks him hard on the back. “Moron. Apologize to the poor girl for not replacing her phone. I was sure you had!”

“I’m really so sorry, Ryn,” Mako says. “I’ll get you another phone.”

“It's all right,” Ryn says, but her head is down, and she’s refusing to look at him.

I wonder if she doesn’t want to look at him because we’re being deceitful or if her lips are puffy and she’s trying to hide the evidence of our betrayal.

I walk away and stand against the window. My heart is thudding. They know. The bonds between us are always wide open. They know exactly what I’ve done. I can feel their searching gazes.

Digs in particular gets ready extra quickly and then comes to stand beside me.

“You want to explain?”

I shake my head.

Digs growls. His hair is wet and looks darker than normal.

“Envy-”

I step into his space, putting my body against his. He’s softer than us, all thick and totally man shaped. I love the feel of him.

“It’s okay, I won’t do it again.”

Digs finally lifts his arms and hugs me. I glance over his shoulder at the girl sitting quietly on the couch.

“We’re going to take her home with us.”

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