Page 12 of The Fox

There it is again.Kochanie.I suppose that if Rhodes remains silent, I can ignore him. Yes, that will be fine.

“Fine. You can sit here. One word and you’re out, Rhodes.”

He makes a zipping motion with his fingers against his lips, throwing an imaginary key over his left shoulder. It makes me smile.Hemakes me smile. We settle into our routines; the sound of his pen crossing the newsprint mingles well with my turning of pages. It is a feeling of familiarity, of contentment. I notice him constantly glancing my way and it is as though he wants to say something. Rolling my eyes, I close my book and face him. He lasted a mere twenty-seven minutes.

“What?”

“You are gorgeous, Amelia.”

I chuckle to myself. The man was nearly bursting at the seams just to say that I’m pretty. I quirk an eyebrow in response, and that brings a grin to his face.

“Thank you.” It comes out softly, disbelief coating my tone.

“I have a meeting I have to run to, but I still would like to take you out again. Something small, no expectations. Just two people getting to know each other.”

I run my tongue over the top of my lip and try my best to ignore the voice screaming at me to say yes. I shouldn’t. I can’t. “I, um,” I don’t get much further when Rhodes suddenly stands and collects his things.Fuck.“I don’t mean to make you upset, Rhodes. I just—”

“I know.” He grabs my hand and places it in his. The movement is brief, but there is warmth there. My body doesn’t immediately recoil from his touch this time. Instead, it feels like the smallest hug. “This is your call, Amelia. Having coffee with you, like this, is enough.” Rhodes leans over and places a chaste kiss on my cheek. “Have a good day, okay?”

I’m shocked as he leaves. That kiss felt like a slap. No emotion behind it, no connection. It felt as if he placed his lips on my cheek out of obligation. I watch as the flannel draped across his wide back walks further away from me.

No.

Kisses are not meant to be that way.

I stand, the chair falling to the floor and making a clatter in the loud shop.

“Rhodes!” I call out, my voice shaking slightly, hoping he’ll hear me before he reaches the door. “Rhodes, wait!” I run, weaving through the crowd until I reach him. I grab his shoulder as he starts to turn.

“Amelia,” he breathes out, like an answer to a besought prayer shouted to the heavens over and over. I don’t think, I don’t analyze the probable repercussions of my actions.Fuck it. Fuck the reasons not to.

I slam my lips on his, throwing caution out the damn window. He tastes the way a fresh mug of coffee smells on a rainy day. His mouth opens and I moan, resting my palms on his broad chest, fully aware of his strength. I deepen the kiss, our surroundings disappearing as I coax his tongue to run along mine. I stroke his tongue with mine, feeling his arms wrap around my waist. He pulls me into him and I resist the screaming desire to flinch.

My need to be consumed overpowers the need I have to run.

He pulls back, his eyes wild and chest heaving. I’m sure my lips are swollen too. I barely catch my breath before I hold his stare.

“Thatis how I will be kissed, Rhodes.”

He breaks out into a laugh and a knowing smile.

“And I’d very much like to go on a date with you.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

CHAPTER 11

Amelia---Takeout

The half-empty cartons of Chinese food are littered around us. I look at the woman across the table, her red hair freely tumbling down her broad shoulders, and the light in her green eyes is contagious. Parker’s head is tilted back as she loudly laughs at something she’s thought of. I watch as she pushes the sleeves of her cream striped sweater up to her forearms, slightly shaking my head as a smile pulls at my lips. Gods only know what is running through her head at any given time.

She’s my best friend, and for the longest time, my only source of solace. Parker has seen me in all my forms and variations. The daughter of a man who would never lead, Parker understands the inner workings of my world innately. After all, Seamus O’Donnelly is her uncle. Duncan walks by, stopping to quickly kiss the top of her head, before leaving the room again.

My thoughts turn to the conflict with Medina and I find myself staring at the wood grain in front of me. It’s a red oak table, ornately solid and meant for a family. There are four empty chairs and I wonder if they will ever be filled. Parker has always dreamed of a large family.

“Ames, you okay?” I glance up, her voice breaking my stupor, and I can see the concern on Parker’s face. She scrutinizes me, those emerald orbs missing absolutely nothing. “You disappeared there for a second.”

I pull my leg up, putting my foot on the chair cushion and meet her eyes. There is no hiding in this moment, not with her.

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