Page 25 of Don't Bait Me (Nora Jacobs 3)

I grasp onto this bit of hope. “You do seem a little less enamored with me lately.”

He flashes me a rueful smile. “I wouldn’t saythat. It’s more like I’m just less consumed by my lust when I’m with you.”

My face ignites with blistering heat despite the winter chill. I can’t believe he just said that.

“My desire isn’t quite so overwhelming anymore,” he says, brushing the back of his hand across my blushing cheek. “I can actually think straight in your presence. Sometimes.”

My mouth goes dry. He might be able to think straight and not be overwhelmed by his desire anymore, but I seem to be the opposite. The more comfortable we get with one another, the more he affects me. Especially his touch. It excites me more than scares me now.

I wet my lips, and his eyes track the movement. “Did you mean what you said to Laagh earlier?” he asks.

I’m not sure what he means. I can’t think with him standing so close. “Before…when you told Laagh you were in a relationship, did you mean it? Or were you just trying to let him down easy?”

My heart stutters in my chest, and I swallow a bout of panic. “I don’t know. I guess. I mean…this sort of feels like one, doesn’t it?”

Parker’s face softens with affection, and he nods. “It feels like the beginning of one.”

Neither of us seems to know what to say next. He looks down at the way my hands are buried in my coat pockets. After a long stretch of quiet, he glances up at me from beneath his lashes and softly asks, “Do youwantthis to be a relationship?”

I’m breathless. He’s just sobeautiful. His intense gaze, so full of hope and promise, wreaks all sorts of havoc on me. My heart is pounding, my stomach is a swarm of butterflies, and my mouth is dry. But my anxiety and guilt trump all the warm, fuzzy feelings. I look away, casting my gaze toward the river. “I don’t know what I want.”

“Are you sure about that?”

I shrug, still unable to meet his gaze.

“Nora.”

I pinch my eyes shut.

“Look at me.”

When I don’t move, a gentle hand grips my chin. Parker turns my face to his, forcing me to look him in the eye. His thoughts flood me, making the moment so much harder.I know she feels something between us. I know she cares about me. How can I reach her?“Do you want me?” he asks.

My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth, and I swallow nervously. Parker waits patiently for the answer. “Yes,” I finally admit.

His thoughts explode with relief and hope. I close my eyes against the onslaught of my own emotions. I have to be completely honest with him, even if it hurts him. “I do want you, Parker. But I want Oliver and Rook, too.” I shake my head helplessly. “I don’t know how to choose.”

Parker’s thumb brushes over my lips.This is killing me. I hate to see her hurting. Her heart is too big. What should I do? I don’t want to pressure her, but I can’t give her up. I can’t.

His thoughts make me want to cry. I finally open my eyes. They sting with the threat of tears. “Nora,” he whispers. His eyes flick to my lips. “May I try again?”

I don’t need to ask what he means. His thoughts are on our last kiss—how he got carried away and caused me to panic. He’s convinced he can control himself this time. I hesitate to answer. I’m not as confident as he is, but I want to believe he can. I need to believe it’s possible. Plus, I just want him. With him standing so close and staring so passionately at me, my entire body yearns for a physical connection.

“Okay.” I let out a breath.

Parker studies me for a moment, as if trying to decide if I’m really okay with it, before lowering his face to mine and catching my lips in a soft kiss. The combination of his chilled lips with his warm breath is invigorating. I’m freezing on the outside but quickly heating up inside. I lean into the kiss, reaching up to grip the lapels on his coat. His hands come up, lightly cupping my elbows, and he deepens the kiss ever so slightly.

His immediate thoughts are wrapped up in the kiss, savoring the feel and the taste of me, but he’s not losing control. In the back of his mind, he’s still aware of the situation. He’s being careful, trying not to make any moves too aggressive. He doesn’t want to scare me or cause me to panic again. He wants to prove to me that his claims are true. That he’s gaining more control. He wants me to see that a relationship between us is possible.

He pulls back before I do, though I can feel his reluctance to let me go. We’re both breathing heavily, and I can’t seem to make myself let go of his coat. His face softens, and he pulls on my hands, breaking my grip on him. “If I don’t go now, I won’t be able to.”

Unable to find my voice, I simply nod.

“Go inside and lock the door behind you. I’ll be back tomorrow evening.”

My heart flips in my chest at the mention of tomorrow. “Moving day,” I mutter.

A small smile lights up Parker’s face. “Moving day.”

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