Page 35 of Saving Sophia

“Sophia.” His voice was low and hungry, and it ignited a wild flame in my tummy.

I reached up, ready for the scruff of his goatee against my fingers. Until I realized I was still holding the sandwich.

Should I set it down? Drop it in my lap? Chuck it over my shoulder? I blinked in frustration as the moment evaporated.

He pulled back an inch, then two, his forehead furrowed with concern.

“I … sandwich.” I slumped my shoulders in mortification. “I’m sorry.”

Humiliated. I didn’t even get to the kiss before my mouth ruined it. My hand, still clutching the evil meat and bread, fell to my lap.

“I think we’ve discovered your safeword.” His lips twitched with mischief.

My mouth dropped open in shock. Then I burst out laughing.

“Safeword?” I clapped a hand over my mouth, my cheeks burning. “Like whips and chains and stuff?” I kept giggling, my nerves overwhelming me, but his smirk remained. The amber flecks in his irises sparked with interest.

Suddenly, embarrassment threatened to boil me alive. “Oh, wait, is that … are you …” Oh no. Oh no. Oh no. He wasn’t laughing. Which meant he was serious. Way down below, something heated and pulsed inside me. “I mean, I … I’m sorry.”

I hated the old familiar apology, but I also meant it. I didn’t want to offend him. Though he didn’t look offended. He looked … curious?

“I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.” His smile remained. “I believe in being direct. I want to kiss you.”

My whole body shivered at those words. He put it out there in front of me. No more guessing. I felt a rush of desire and relief.

“But it could be complicated,” he added. “I’m not usually a casual guy, and I wasn’t looking for a relationship when I met you.”

Oh.

“No … I … never mind, I’m sorry.” I tried to stand, to run away. This was so embarrassing.

He took my hand, refusing to let me pull away. “Sometimes wonderful things come along when you aren’t looking. That’s not the problem.”

“But there is a problem.” I shouldn’t even care. He was right. Getting into a relationship was the last thing I should be doing. I was on the run from a man who wanted to kill me. And I couldn’t even get to the kissing part without making a fool of myself. I wasn’t ready for complicated, whatever that meant.

“Not a problem, sweet girl.” He brushed his knuckles against my cheek. The feathery touch sent sparks everywhere. His eyes were warm and steady, easing my scalding embarrassment. “But, if we went through with that kiss, we would need to have a conversation.” He leaned in close again, looking at my lips with a raw hunger that made me almost faint with need.

“A … safeword conversation?” My voice tipped up on the last syllable.

He chuckled. The things that chuckle did to my tummy made me seriously consider whether whips and chains would be so bad.

“Not nearly as scary as you’re imagining.”

I looked down. “I’m sorry.”

“You apologize a lot.”

“I’m sorry.” I grimaced. “Habit.”

He nodded, as if he understood me. Beyond my worry. Beyond my awkwardness. In his eyes, the smallest parts of me felt seen. “This isn’t a topic we have to explore until you’re ready. No pressure. We have plenty of time.” He patted my hand and leaned back, giving me space.

But did I want it? And more importantly, how much time did we have?

11

ETHAN

The ride back to the cabin was quiet, but not uncomfortable. I wanted to kick myself for not kissing her. She’d been right there, her lips so ready, so ripe with possibilities.

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