Page 39 of The Darkest Knight

Seth eased back into the chair. His brawny body was almost too big for the confines of the wicker. “You are a woman with many expressions, and I’m afraid I can’t read a majority of them. Sometimes you look at me as if you could lap me up like an ice cream cone, and other times I’m the evil spawn. This is hell—pure hell.” He rubbed his forehead.

“I think you should stick to what you’re good at because you’re certainly terrible at reading a person.”

“You’re going to drive me insane.” His face twisted.

“I think you’ve already done that to yourself.”

“I have this hunger, you see, one that I can’t seem to satisfy. After a shitload of pizza and wings, and a pitcher of beer, I’m still starving…to see you.” He shifted and the wicker chair creaked. “This is your fault. All your fault, woman.”

She swallowed hard. Would he regret his drunken revelation tomorrow? She watched him closely. He really was a stunning man. When he smiled, it triggered the light in his eyes and softened the usual harsh features. She remembered all too well how he’d taken care of her after the seizure and it made her smile too. And now, he was opening up to her, just unfortunately he was drunk.

“What triggered these feelings?” she asked.

He shrugged. “I couldn’t tell you. Maybe the shorts. Maybe seeing you vulnerable after the seizure. Hell, maybe because you’re the best conversation I’ve had in a long time.”

She nibbled her bottom lip, wrapping her brain around his words. “Honestly, I’m glad you stopped by, even if you smell like a bar. This is the most in touch you’ve had with your emotions in a long time.”

“Yeah? You’re probably wanting me stay, aren’t you?”

“Ha. Good one. No. I like my men sober.” She laughed.

“Shot down. Ouch.”

The attraction between them rose a notch. Her toes curled and the butterflies came back with a vengeance. That’s when the only logical part of her remaining lit up. She could easily drown herself in his affection, like an addiction, but she wasn’t prepared for this onslaught of emotion, or his disclosure. Once she jumped off that cliff, she’d either have to learn to fly or she’d fall to her death. Last she knew, her wings were damaged and she wasn’t yet sure they had healed. Not enough to take on a man like Seth Knight. He was known as the Dark Knight for many reasons.

She started to move and felt a little woozy as a scorching wave of sensation drove through her center. Seth had a hold of the reins of more than just her future. He sat in the driver’s seat to her heart that was now beating rapidly. He had managed to find his way into her trembling core that cautioned her once she gave the go ahead, she would be wetter and hotter than ever. Her? Hot? She’d never labeled herself with that term.

Nervously, she stood. “Time for you to go. It’s late, I’m tired, and if I plan to be any good tomorrow painting the next cabin, I’m going to need sleep.” She motioned for him to follow her to the door.

With hesitation, he finally stood and moved a little more stable in his work boots. He’d gone quiet. Was he pondering the silliness of showing up here drunk? No, he’d have plenty of time for that when he woke up in the morning with a hangover.

“Thank you for the scintillating midnight conversation.” He stuck his hand out.

Was this a test?

Reluctantly, she laid her palm against his, and his long, callused fingers wrapped around her much smaller ones. Seconds ticked by—months and years—and every part of her body was affected with his heat before he finally pulled away. An uninvited warmth spread between her legs, making it hard to stand steady, and she hadn’t had anything to drink.

As if she felt the same turmoil of awareness, he blinked and shook his head sharply. “See you tomorrow,” he muttered and quickly made his way down the steps, pretty fast for a snozzled man.

Waiting until his shadowed silhouette disappeared into the darkness, she sucked in a healthy amount of oxygen until she could think clearly. She turned on her heel and started back into the cabin, spotting a spider crawling across the wooden floor. Hurrying inside, she grabbed a piece of paper, rolled it up, and searched for the critter, finding it almost to the bed.

Reaching down, she gathered the spider onto the paper and walked it to the door. “Sorry, I don’t share my bed with creepy crawlies…” But I’d certainly like to share my sheets with a sexy soldier.

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