Page 42 of Silent Heart

And bumped into a wall of flesh.

“What’s wrong?” Kole’s strong hands slid along my shoulders.

Startled, I blinked up at him. “Nothing. Should there be?”

“You’re on edge.” He reached up, brushing the pads of his fingers along my cheekbone. “Your smile doesn’t reach your eyes.”

That quelched the flow of words. My mouth clapped shut.

“Did you not like the flowers?” Kole asked softly. “Did it cross a line?”

Wildflowers—freaking wildflowers! This was a man who’d eaten me out on his counter, watched me with almost stalker-like frequency, paid me an outrageous sum both for the swimming and the tip tonight, and it was the flowers he was worried about? I didn’t know how to process that. It was almost like he was unfamiliar with social conventions.

My gargoyle theory held more and more merit.

“I loved the flowers,” I breathed. “They were a beautiful surprise to a crappy night.”

Kole studied me with that unwavering intensity. I couldn’t begin to guess what kind of thoughts provoked the turbulence in his eyes. My pulse pattered rapidly, fueled by my racing heart. I wet my lips, thankfully not tasting any more blood.

Kole’s gaze snapped to my mouth. “You shouldn’t stay long.”

The comment was so at odds with the sizzling energy of the situation that it didn’t compute. I drew back, sucking in a deep breath.What did he just say to me?

Kole’s touch fell away, but he didn’t move to put distance between us.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to invade your space,” I said with a bite of heat behind my words. “Enjoy your dinner.”

A tormented sound rumbled in his chest. Kole’s arm shot out, blocking me. The other likewise grasped the island, caging me against the granite.

“Kole?” I warned. “I don’t want to play games. I’m not that girl.”

“I’m not playing,” he said through clenched teeth.

“Okay.” I shrugged my shoulders. “Then do you mind explaining the mixed signals you’re giving off?”

His chest rose and fell with each hard breath. Those blue eyes pinned me under their stormy gaze. There was the briefestmoment where the decision snapped into place, and right before his lips crashed into mine, he growled, “Fuck it.”

The kiss was hard and hungry.

I stood still for a moment as my brain tried to process whatever the heck just happened. But then my hands reached out of their own accord, sliding around his waist. Heat surged through me. My nipples hardened to a needy ache as I brushed against him.

Kole pulled back, staring down at me with a blistering intensity. “Does that clear things up, little sprite?”

A breathless pant escaped my lips, and I nodded eagerly. My hands clawed at him, begging him to come back to the kiss. Fire burned in my veins.

Kole lifted me. “Wrap your legs around my waist.”

I did.

He started walking away. The friction of his body moving against mine was too much. I let out a strangled moan. His tongue delved into my mouth. His touch slid down to massage my ass. Tightening my grip around his hips, I rocked into him. My pussy brushed against his stiff cock.

It was his turn to groan. “Fuck, babe, you’re going to make me explode before I even get you undressed.”

We were going to the bedroom. Through the fiery haze, I asked myself if this was a good idea.

He told me I shouldn’t stay.

In the upstairs hall, Kole stopped to push me against the wall. He palmed my breast, squeezing and kneading the sensitive flesh. Pleasure shot through me, muscles tightening in response.

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