Page 59 of Enthrall Shadows
He towered over me. “Not yet.”
I felt that familiar tingle of chemistry stirring in my belly.
He and I could never be more than friendly acquaintances because the great Henry Cole dating a dominatrix would shock the world.
I didn’t want to guess how his mom might react.
“Why do you have to be so fucking beautiful?” he whispered.
“Being friends is good,” I reasoned.
“You’re still here. You must be doing something right.”
I raised my chin. “Turn off the arrogance, Mr. Cole.”
“Turn off the sassy, Ms. Chamberlain.”
“Thank you for letting me in,” I whispered.
“How’s the view?”
“The view?”
“I may have left the war, but it’s not left me.”
Silence screeched louder than words.
His face contorted in confusion. “I’m not the same man I was before I was deployed. There are times when I don’t even recognize myself.”
“These things take time. I see a lot of clients who’ve endured the worst of humanity.”
He reached over and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “What if I don’t want you just as a friend?”
I hesitated, trying to read his meaning.
“What if I let you in permanently?” he said, his face reflecting a multitude of emotions in that moment.
I smiled up at him. “I’d like that.”
He cupped my face with his strong hands, his touch magnetic, as our lips drew closer and closer, his minty breath enticing.
Before his lips met mine, I rested my hand on his chest.
“No,” I whispered against his mouth.
“No?”
“Kissing me is a reflex, an act of rebellion. A response to regain some semblance of control. It’s advisable we don’t.”
“What if it’s just a kiss?” he said huskily.
“It’s not.”
“Maybe it will solve all our problems?”
“We’ll never know.” I reached up and caressed his cheek. “Good friends don’t take advantage.”
He leaned in again and our lips brushed lightly.
