Page 61 of All Our Secrets

With a huff, I opened the back door and buckled T.J.’s car seat in. It wasn’t quite dark yet, but the sun had set enough that the lights caught my attention before I heard gravel spinning. Peeking out, I spotted Silas’s truck pulling in behind my vehicle.

He slammed his door shut as he climbed out, startling me. It wasn’t the sound as much as it was his facial expression.Unhinged.His hair stuck up in odd places, like he had been running his hands through it. And his eyes.They devoured. Stalked.All of that unsettling energy came barreling toward me.

I stiffened. “Silas…? You okay?”

“I don’t think you should go back home.” He gripped the top of the door. He was so close I had to tip my head back to hold eye contact with him. “Don’t go back.”

His words were so abrupt and unexpected.

I gawked. “What? Is this about the break-in? I haven’t had any issues.”

“I don’t want you there,” he finished, moving closer.

He radiated heat like a furnace. My skin tingled and I lowered my head. That didn’t help either because now I was staring at the wall of his broad chest. He crowded me with his presence.Overwhelmed me.

“It’s not safe,” he said.

My cheeks warmed, and my body lit up like a firecracker, especially in that spot between my thighs.It’s because it’s been so long…I knew a lie when I spewed one, even in my mind. I pushed him away quickly.I can’t…If he knew what was good for me, he’d stay away. Who knew when I would crack and lick him from tip to toe. Then what would happen? I’d ruin the weird relationship we had. And Theodore… What would he think?Thatwas what kept me in check. I’d made vows to someone else.

“It’s fine. I have the security system now,” I whispered.

Our eyes met, and it was like quicksand—how fast I forgot all the things that kept me from acting on my wants.

I licked my lips and leaned in. Silas’s eyes were on my mouth.

It shouldn’t be this way. It shouldn’t feel thiseasy.Were my feelings so simple? My heart raced and I blinked, pushing at him once more, but with my head bent down.

“Peyton.” The deep, gruff way he spoke my name had to go too.

It wasn’t Silas’s fault that I had these overwhelming feelings around him, but frustration still bubbled inside me. Especially when I knew I wasn’t going to give in. That I was stuck with this attraction, and he kept coming around.

“I can’t up and leave my home because you tell me to,” I snapped.

“I can buy you a new one.”

I froze, looked up, and actually blinked several times at him. Because really? “Have you lost your mind? Why would you do that when I have a home?”

“Because I don’t want you there.”

“So I’m supposed to move out because of that, huh?”

Silas exhaled. “Peyton—”

“Stop trying to control everything I do.” Whew. At least my clit had the good sense to stop throbbing for him at that moment.

“I’m not—”

Slamming the back door shut, I walked around and opened the driver’s side. “Move your truck. I’m going home.”

“Pey—”

“I swear to God, Silas, I will back into your truck to prove a point if I have to.”

His jaw tightened before he exhaled. “Promise me something, and I’ll let you leave.”

“Sweet baby Jesus,” I muttered.

“If something strange happens again, you’ll call me right away.”

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