Page 99 of The Silent Note

I didn’t know I had a heart.

But the black coal in my chest is melting at those two measly words from Grace Jamieson.

The silence stretches.

Did she fall sleep?

I peer down at her, pushing away the curls that I used to tug her around and maneuver her into position.

She’s not sleeping. Yet.

My skin buzzes with adrenaline.

I feel jumpy and Grey must sense it because she swats at me. “Stop moving.”

I go still.

Biting down on my bottom lip, I stare out the window. It’s impossible to see when the glass is thick with fog, but I can just make out the traffic that’s getting heavier on the road.

Grey breathes easy again. Her chest rises and falls on top of mine.

Nerves tie my stomach into knots.

I wasn’t worried about this part of my husband duties. Making a woman groan in ecstasy is easy for me. After screwing tons of girls, I’ve refined my skills through sheer practice. Get off and get going. That was my thing. No cuddles. No kisses. No strings attached.

But this time was different.

Everythingis different with this woman.

Grey’s been intentionally overlooking how I feel about her. I want her to know I’m serious about us. About our marriage.

This moment seems as perfect as any to tell my wife I love her.

It should be pretty obvious. Given the circumstances. But nothing beats saying the words out loud.

“Grey, actually… I have something I want to tell you.”

“‘You’re welcome?’”

“Uh… no. I?—”

“I bet this isn’t the first time a woman has thanked you for your service,” she mumbles sleepily. “No wonder girls are always giggling about you in class.”

I freeze and look down at her.

What the hell?

Her saying thank you… I thought she was being vulnerable and admitting that she feels safe with me. What in the Ringo Starr is this?

“You’re thanking me… for my service?”

Her eyes burst open and she flings herself backward, face tinged with guilt. “I’m sorry. That sounded so transactional. I didn’t mean it like you were a prostitute or… I mean?—”

“Not a prostitute. Just a man-whore, right?” I snap.

“Zane, I didn’t mean it like that.”

No, she did mean it like that.

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