Page 87 of The Photograph

She shrugs. “Sure.”

Something’s changed.I pour a finger of scotch in a tumbler and join her in the living room. She’s still in the same position near the fireplace and her purse is clutched tight in her hand.

“Here.”

“Thanks,” she whispers and stares at her glass.

What’s going on?

After placing my glass on the ledge of the fireplace behind her, I take hers and her small purse, set them on the ledge, and cup her cheek.“Aelin, what is it.?”

She raises her eyes to mine. “Did you send a check of several million to the Other Rainbow?”

So much for anonymous.“Yes.”

She smiles, but her gaze remains clouded. “Thank you, it’s very generous of you.”

When she bites her bottom lip and lowers her eyes, I thumb the dimple in her stubborn chin. “Tell me, baby.”

Her cool fingers touch my wrist as she leans into my hand, and some of the tightness in my shoulders lessens. “I love it when you call me that.”

God, she’s beautiful, but the vulnerability of her expression bothers me. “You do?”

The pulse at the side of her neck beats wildly as she takes a deep breath and my whole body tightens.I don’t deserve another chance, baby. But I want one.

“Aelin…”

She locks her gaze into me. “That night you said…”

I said a lot of vile things, baby. Don’t—

“... Did I please you? I mean sexually, was I … okay?”

You were fucking perfect.The tension strangling my chest loosens, and I wrap my palm around her nape.

“Yes.”

Her brows knit. She’s adorable. “Yes? Just … yes?”

“Fuck yes.”

Her chuckle fans on my lips, and I pull her to me. “Aelin, I thought you were my brother’s and I kept coming back because I couldn’t get enough of you.” When she grins, I peck her nose. “DidIplease you?”

The grin turns into a full smile while she loops her arms around my shoulders. “Yes.” The tip of her tongue flicks across her bottom lip and she tilts up her luscious mouth to mine.

“Gabe.”

The half-whisper lashes through me, and I seal my lips to hers.

Groaning at her taste, I kiss her slow. Savoring her. But then she moans, and I plunge deep and wet into her mouth.

“Dinner’s ready.” A male voice booms across the room and Aelin jumps.

Get a hold on yourself. She needs me gentle not jumping her like a teenager about to get his dick wet for the first time.

I peck her nose. “Let’s eat, baby.”

During dinner, we talk about her involvement in The Other Rainbow, her work. The conversation is light and easy, and Aelin’s her charming self, but her natural spark is subdued.

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