Page 105 of All Our Secrets

“I won’t,” I lied.

“Do you want me to show up at your door?”

“Goodnight!” I shouted, which made us both smile.

Silas walked me to my driver’s door and told me to watch for deer. Then we went our separate ways.

Chapter Forty:

all my secrets

Silas

Like many nights before, that one was filled with self-loathing and regret. After our conversation at Devin’s, I was reminded all over again of my fuck-up. Now more than ever, I wanted to come clean to her about our past. Maybe she’d understand since I was an ugly, scarred fucker. My heart knew otherwise, though. The useless organ finally recognized the truth. I could have been worse off than I was, and Peyton would have accepted me. Because I had been her King. And she’d been my Peyton.

Now I’d buried those two people beneath lies. Theodore’s words haunted me for good reason. He knew it as well as I did. She’d never be able to overlook my deceit. I lied to her that day and every day since.

I needed to tell her, but the chance that she’d never forgive me had a sharp pain shooting through my chest. I rubbed the spot. Sitting on the bed, my gaze landed on the PlayStation. Before I knew what I was doing, I powered it on. Once again, a pain that grew as sharp as a blade the longer I carried this lie overcame me as I reread her last messages to me. And there was no reply to my last message. She hadn’t logged on.

She had always been right there waiting for me. Somehow, I’d let myself believe I couldn’t compete with Theodore. With his expensive clothes, his perfect family, his easygoing personality. I saw her in person with my best friend and thought,how could I possibly deserve something so perfect? Even when I knew, I fuckingknewwith every fiber of my being that she’d always been so utterly mine.

But how did I tell her the truth when it would break us? And when all my secrets were exposed, would she believe me when I told her I’d never keep another secret from her? I’d give her all of me. Every second of my past was hers to discover. And my future, hers to map out.

Chapter Forty-One:

promise me

Peyton

Silas wooed me like clockwork. He always found his way inside my classroom during lunch break. That day was no different.

Swiveling my chair around to face him, I crossed my arms. “I wasn’t expecting you.”

“You were.” With takeout in one hand, he plopped his ass on my desk like always.

We’d spent an hour on the phone the night before. It would have been longer if I hadn’t started dozing off. Silas had been sorelentless.His gruff voice seduced me well past midnight with promises of what he’d do to me, trying his damnedest to get me and my son to his place. He was desperate. I’d admit I enjoyed that far too much. Silas King never begged anyone for anything. He was a certified asshole who told people what to do. He never asked.

“What did you get me?” I plucked the bag away from him.

“Chimichanga.”

“Mm,” I murmured as I ripped open the plastic and grabbed the aluminum plate. When I glanced up, his brown eyes were hooded. Those dark orbs flickered over my lips, then toward the door, causing my clit to throb. By the time I had his focus again, my thoughts were pure sex.

Oh man.

I squeezed my legs together under my desk.Bad idea.Silas was my fucking kryptonite. He hadn’t said anything, done anything, other than glance at the door, but Iknew.

“How long we got?” Four words.

Four words that slickened me between my thighs, building a needy, desperate energy inside me.

“I have no idea what you’re thinking,” I lied with a giant gulp. “But it sounds bad for my career.”

“I’ll make you come quick.”

There were no smart comebacks. He wasreallygood at making my toes curl. Too good.

He strode over to the door. Theclickof the lock had my breath quickening. My heart pounded as he walked toward me. I had never done anything so dangerous. My gaze bounced toward the door, waiting on the moment a student jiggled the knob. But another part of me, the biggest part, had gone too long without Silas. I needed him. No, I simply wanted him. Admitting it was easier when I decided to fall headfirst.

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