Page 38 of Burning Truth

“Then we’ll deal with it.”

Severn reached out and stroked some hair behind her ear, and she closed her mouth, relishing the touch. Unable to help herself, she took his hand in her own, running her fingers over the rough surface. The palm was mostly smooth, but the backs of both hands were layered with scars. And the ring finger of his right hand seemed a little short. The scars didn’t bother her, though. They just seemed to be a part of Severn.

“I wasn’t crazy about the idea of having you with me, and definitely not in my house,” she said eventually, “but I’m really glad you’re here.”

“Same,” he said, smiling slightly. “I’m not usually in the field. I tend to run things from the shadows or the office.”

“Well, I appreciate you. We’re both out of our comfort zones.”

Severn tugged at her, opening his arms, and she scooted closer. Then she settled in against him, her head against his chest. Oh, yeah. This was where she needed to be. She let her arm lay across his flat stomach and melted into his side. He felt incredibly warm and strong, and she was so very aware of him. Every move he made, every look, she felt. Now, she could hear the steady beat of his heart. It seemed like his respirations had picked up a little. Was her nearness affecting him as well?

They’d been getting closer, and Addie wondered if he was open to a relationship. Did she dare ask him?

“You’re not,” she hesitated, “involved with anyone, are you?”

Severn snorted. “I’m not, no.”

The sound made her think that someone would have to be crazy to be involved with him. Or at least, that’s what he thought. “Why not?” she probed.

He drew in a deep breath. “I’m not everyone’s cup of tea. I’m short with people, and have little tolerance for stupidity. And I’m not the prettiest arm candy.”

She leaned back enough to look up at him. “I would disagree with that statement. As well as a large portion of my viewership.”

Huffing out a breath, he squeezed her to him. “They’re only seeing the romance of the situation. Life is hard right now, and people like to be entertained with a fairy tale.”

Addie frowned, not liking the cynicism in his words. “Do you believe in love?”

For some reason, she held her breath as soon as she uttered the words, her heart pounding fearfully in her chest.

He was quiet for a long time. “I don’t know,” he said eventually. “Theoretically, I suppose it exists. My buddy Brian certainly seems to think so. And after seeing him and Sage together, and the family they’ve created with the boy, I can understand why he feels that way. They’re amazing together. And Parker and Andromeda certainly seem to be in love, I guess.And Brodie and Calanthe. But it’s not something I’ve really seen or felt. How about you?”

“Not even your parents,” she asked, craning to look up at him again.

He rolled his lips, like he wasn’t sure how to explain it. “They... appreciate each other, but my mother is very reserved. I’ve never seen her gush over my father about anything. She takes his kiss, occasionally, but I don’t think they’ve ever been in love. Mother was raised in boarding schools since she was six. I think it stunted her emotional growth a little. Somehow, they’ve made it work for more than thirty years, though.”

Addie drew in a deep breath, dropping her head to his shoulder again. “Well, I knew all my life that my parents were in love. It was gross when I was a kid. You know how kids scoff at that kind of stuff. The older I got, though, the more I appreciated the example they set.”

“It’s good you had that,” he said, stroking his hand down her shoulder.

For a moment, the surreal nature of their situation hit her. “I feel like I’ve lost control of my life,” she murmured.

“You haven’t,” he said, his voice low. “It just kind of feels like it, I know.”

Addie sighed, feeling like she wanted to say something, but wondering if she dared. Actually, she wanted to do something, if she could get up the courage.

“What are you thinking,” Severn asked, his voice barely more than a whisper.

“That I want to make a decision for me, and my life, and my enjoyment.”

There was a long pause. “And what is that?” he said finally.

Rather than answer him, Addie sat up and turned to him. She reached, but he met her more than half-way, his hands strong and his lips hard. It seemed like they’d each been thinking thesame thing, but she’d been the one that had to make the move. She would have to think about that later.

Even though he stayed semi-reclined on the couch, letting her lead, Addie could feel the tension radiating from his body. And it gave her the courage to squeeze closer. At some point, she turned and went up on her knees. His hard hands seemed to be helping her, but when she would have stopped beside him, he took over, lifting her hips over his own.

Addie gasped at the intimate contact, but it was exactly what she’d been hoping for. Now she could kiss him the way she wanted to.

Falling forward, she found his mouth again. His hands gripped her hips as she kissed him, squeezing her ass cheeks almost in time with the movements of her mouth. Her tongue darted out, teasing at his lips, and he opened for her. Oh, he tasted so good...

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