Page 35 of The Truth of Our Secrets

“Door on the right.” I’m relieved he’s not familiar with the gallery.

He opens the door and kicks it closed, crowding me up against the wall.

“You can relax now. It’s over.” He’s close enough his body heat warms me, but we’re not touching.

I resent the strangled groan that works its way out of my throat. I’m dying for his touch. For his heat to blanket my body.

His eyes blaze and I can’t read his expression. He’s studying me and I’m too raw to hide my emotions. My confusion must be obvious, but I’m not sure what else he sees.

His hand grips my neck and I sag into him until he’s holding me up by my throat.

“I’m here,” he whispers in my ear and I shiver.

We’re silent and I shut my eyes, savoring his hold, and close off the thoughts of why I should move away.

Minute by minute the roar of my pulse dulls and I notice our bodies are flush, so I’m sandwiched between him and the wall.

When I open my eyes, there’s no judgment. Only concern. Possibly lust. Or I might see what I want instead of the truth.

His thumb strokes my pulse again. Heaven.

“There you are. Come back. You’re safe.”

Safe. That’s crazy.

I move to put space between us but end up pressing my throat harder in his palm. The panic’s gone. My body’s on fire.

And from the spark in his eyes, this thing building between us isn’t one-sided.

He hums as his thumb presses harder on my pulse.

I’m at war with myself. Loving him against me and tempting me to bury my face in his neck to inhale his scent. My nose has never been wrong about a person. And Emmet’s unique smell speaks to the essence of my soul, marking him as mine.

Again, I’m reminded of my reaction to meeting Madyson. It had been visceral, and I’d relentlessly pursued her.

My cock responds, and I swear there’s lust in his eyes.

A thought loops in my head—this is crazy.

His back is ramrod straight, and the tension between us swirls, creating a bubble for only us. He swallows, and I’m transfixed by his Adam’s apple and the desire to bite it.

His breath hitches, and his face is so close to mine. Our breaths mingle and I can taste his exhale. I want more. Greedy to taste his lips.

I’m powerless to move.

That’s a lie.

His hold on me is firm, but I could break free or close the tiny gap between our mouths.

In the distance, I hear the door bang open and Madyson’s frantic voice yelling my name. Her heels clack across the floor. She’s running.

Emmet’s hand drops, and he puts space between us.

A whine escapes me.

I’m mortified.

I slink to the couch, head in my hands as the breakroom door bursts open and Madyson rushes to me.

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