Page 134 of The Silent Note

My stomach clenches. I can’t believe I just said that.

There’s silence for a beat.

Suddenly, Zane tips his head back and laughs.

I bite on my lip, trying not to laugh too.

“Remember, Miss Jamieson, this is my classroom. Not yours.” He molds his body to me, shifting his hips dangerously. Heat lashes into me like a whip.

Sweet mercy, I want him to trap me here. Touch me there. Unleash all the dirty promises behind that maniacal smirk.

I doubt he’d have any objections to that request. Zane looks two seconds away from tearing my pajamas off and plunging into me, but there are still so many questions that I need answered.

Taking advantage of his one-armed state, I wiggle out from beneath him and spring to my feet. “We can stop here,” I say breathlessly.

Zane tilts his head, his ink-black hair falling silkily and emphasizing the squareness of his jaw.

“Sloane normally doesn’t show up for an hour after you and I…” I clear my throat. “So I think we should be good.”

A long moment stretches between us.

At last, he releases a sigh. “Alright.”

Relief twines with my lust, dousing the flames a bit. I’m glad he’s not pushing. If he insisted, I’d probably convince myself that staying right there under Zane was a better use of my time than following up on the evidence.

My head begins to clear as I pace the suite. “The break-in tonight is not totally a bad thing. The other side is nervous. It means we might be on the right track.”

Zane watches my every move, not saying anything.

I face him. “I understand that I need to be cautious, but I can’t wait until the burglar is found before I take action. I’ve waited years to get my hands on actual evidence.”

“I’m not saying wedon’ttake action. I’m just sayingyoucan’t.” He gets up to grab a bottle of water from the mini fridge. My eyes bug as I watch his sweats. Those grey pants aren’t concealinganythingand I can’t help but blush a little when he catches me ogling.

“Who are you sending to the storage lockers?” I blurt.

“I’m not sure yet,” Zane admits.

“What about Theodore Hall?”

Zane frowns. Hard. “Why him?”

“You said you wanted someone removed from us. Someone expendable.” I remember the frazzled state Hall was in. “Theodore was begging me for help. He seemed like he’d be willing to do anything to get on The Kings’ good side.”

Something dangerous flashes through Zane’s expression. “What do you mean ‘he seemed’? Did you see that idiot today?”

My blood stills. “N-no.”

“Lie to me again and I’m throwing you on that bed, Grace.”

I flinch. Clear my throat. Chance a look at Zane and see him fuming.

Oof, I’m in trouble.

Chapter Thirty-Three

ZANE

Freaking Grace Elizabeth Jamieson.