Page 48 of The Silent Note

“Something’s up with you.”

“He’s not wrong.”

“Because I’m keeping our end of the deal?”

He scowls.

“I thought you’d be happy. I’m giving you exactly what you want.”

Thick eyebrows knot even further.

“Unless you’re no longer interested?” I stop in front of the door and rub under my stitches. “Maybe now it’s finally setting in that you married a woman who’s six years older than you, someone with a permanent scar on her fa?—”

Zane barrels toward me. His body plows into mine, forcing me against the open door. It bangs noisily into the wall, rattling loud enough to cover my surprised gasp. What remains of the breath in my lungs hisses out as Zane grabs both my hands and pins them above my head.

I struggle. “Let me go, Zane.”

He swoops in instead.

Anger andsomething elsefeels heavy in the air.

He stops mere inches from my mouth and then, slowly, brings his gaze up to my scar. Self-consciousness kicks in and I stop struggling, shifting my face to the side.

He grips my chin and brings me back to look at him.

For a moment, nothing but our harsh, heavy breaths pierce the air.

“You are the sexiest, most beautiful woman I have ever seen,” Zane whispers. The words are heavy with promise. With devotion. “So be very careful.” His grip is ice-cold. “I won’t tolerateanydisrespect toward my wife. Not even from you.”

I blink in shock.

“W-who do you think you are?” I croak.

He smirks and lets his grip glide down my wrists to my upper arms. His touch sends prickles of hot sensations over my skin. I instinctively lean in to him, hoping he’ll touch more of me.

But he stops right at my shoulders.

Gripping me there, he pulls me forward.

I shiver as he presses his mouth to mine, just a gentle touch. Like a butterfly resting on a flower.

“Who am I?” He murmurs against my lips. “I’m your husband…”

A tremble rocks me as he moves his attention to my neck. I feel his breath swoosh in and then escape on the delicate skin there.

Did he just… breathe me in?

He makes a thrumming sound of appreciation in his throat and a rough and powerful pulse erupts between my legs.

Zane eases back again. His icy blue gaze wanders down to my T-shirt as he adds,

“Do you know who you are?”

“You’re my…” I can’t say it.

He chuckles darkly. “Teacher?”

I nod.