Page 11 of Shattered

Which it wasn’t.Thank God.Although, who the hell knew what the future held.I could fully envision having to throw Sara over my shoulder.For her insolence.For her safety.Hell, just for fun.

We were nose to nose, our lips almost touching.I’d wanted nothing more than to attack her mouth, but I wouldn’t take it there.

Yet.

When our breathing was the only sound in the car, she spoke and broke the silence.“You’re crushing me, Alek,” she mumbled, my weight obviously cutting off her air supply.I’d been so lost in her I hadn’t even realized I was still lying on top of her.

“If I let you up, are you going to behave?” I asked, knowing full well she wanted nothing more than to tell me to fuck off.

She never answered my question.Instead, she grit her teeth and said, “Get off me.”

“Fine,” I replied.I had nothing else to say.

The drive back to my house was uneventful, which was both good and bad.Good, because she wasn’t fighting me anymore, never even questioning where I was taking her.Bad,becauseshe didn’t put up a fight.I’d hope I hadn’t lost her.Not yet.

Once we arrived, I opened my door, reaching for her hand behind me as I exited the vehicle.She batted it away, instead moving further into the car.Holding the door open, I waited her out.Finally, she made her exit, huffing as she walked past me, brushing my shoulder with hers.The slight touch already making my body come alive.

I smiled.At least she didn’t run down the driveway and try to hop the gate.

Folding her arms, she sighed loudly as I approached, fumbling for my keys.She rolled her eyes when I looked at her, making my dick twitch in my pants.Again.

“Do you want something to drink?” I offered as I allowed her to walk inside ahead of me.

“No,” she answered.Short and to the point.“So, where do you want to do this?Here?” she asked, pointing toward the sitting room.Not waiting for my response, she brushed past me, her shoulder touching mine again, as she stepped into the large open space.

I wanted to tell her I’d much rather talk in my bedroom.Naked.But I didn’t think that’d fly too well with her.One step at a time.

“Yes.But I’m going to need a drink, so give me a second.”

“I’m sure youaregoing to need it,so feel free.”

I smiled as I turned my back toward her, not wanting to upset her further, having her thinking this was all a joke.I knew exactly how serious this was.I was smirking because I loved her sass.Most of the time.

Pouring myself a decent-size drink, I gulped down half, summoning all the courage and patience I needed for our talk.

Expelling a deep breath, I closed my eyes and counted to five.Most people count till ten, but I couldn’t wait that long.I needed to start so we could get back to where we left off.

Her naked, underneath me.

Turning around, I took a few steps until I was near her, lowering myself so I was sitting on the far end of the couch.I didn’t want to crowd her, needing her to be as open to my explanation as possible.

I parted my lips to start but she cut me off, spewing out questions faster than I could comprehend the words.

“Did you think I would casually ask you why you had stalker-ish photos of me, Alek?Did you want me to wait around for the answer, not knowing whether you were a danger to me in some way?You’re always going on and on about my safety.Well, do you think it’s safe for me to be in the presence of someone who’s hiding a secret from me?”

Holy shit!Talk about diving right into it.I ran my hand through my hair, clenching the back of it in frustration.She wasn’t going to make this easy on me.Not one little bit.

“I know why you were upset—” I offered, but she cut me off again before I could finish.

“AM!Why Iamupset, notwereupset!” she yelled, finally letting go of her calm demeanor.The anger danced behind her eyes, showing me her frustration grew the longer we sat there together.

I had to do something and fast.

Inching closer to her on the couch, I put my hand on her thigh, her dress riding up and revealing some of her lovely skin.Touching her sent a jolt through me, making my heart pick up the pace.But just like in the car, she batted my hand away.

For a brief moment, we sat there and studied one another.I wasn’t sure if she was going to bolt, and I was sure she didn’t know what was going to come flying from my mouth.

“Where do I even start, baby?” I whispered, still holding our firm eye contact.

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