Page 39 of Undone

“Ah, I’ve been waiting to hear that laugh,” he replied, his voice dropping to a smooth, almost predatory tone. “But I think I’ll have to keep working at it until I get the real thing.”

“I have definitely laughed in front of you before.”Haven’t I?

“Nope. I’ve been waiting.” His eyes gleamed with a challenge in them.

“You have not been waiting for that.” I rolled my eyes, unable to help the exasperated sigh that slipped out.

Dorian’s lips curved into a grin that sent a rush of heat to my face. “Shit, do that again. I liked it.”

“Do what again?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Roll your eyes,” he said, leaning a fraction closer. The teasing glint in his gaze only deepened.

I couldn’t help the laugh that escaped me, then internally scolded myself for it.

“Worth the wait.”

I scoffed. “I’m going to leave now.Goodbye, Dorian.”

I turned around to grab my sandals, but before I could take another step, his hand reached out, halting me. I turned to find him closer than I expected, his gaze softer now, searching mine.

“Thanks for coming,” he said.

He pulled me into a hug, his arms wrapping around me hesitantly, like he wasn’t sure if I’d pull away, but the embrace lasted just long enough to make my chest tighten.

I wanted to leave, to move, but instead I stayed there content in the safety of his arms.

FOURTEEN

Dorian - July

YOU SHOULD PROBABLY LEAVE - CHRIS STAPLETON

I took a deep breath,both to calm myself and to soak in the sweet, subtle scent of her, letting it fill my lungs. It wrapped around me, settling in my chest like a familiar warmth. I inhaled deeper, as if breathing her in might somehow ease the ache of needing her.

The feeling of her beneath my fingertips, so soft, so delicate, was almost too much to bear. My hand brushed over her arm, and the touch was electrifying, as though every inch of contact sent a current through my veins. She was fragile in a way, like something precious I wasn’t sure I could keep safe. Before I could stop myself, I pulled back just enough to press my forehead to hers.

Her eyes fluttered shut, the lightest tremor passing through her, and I couldn’t help but hold on tighter. There was no space between us, no gap to hide the way my heart raced, the way the tension wrapped around us tighter than I could’ve ever anticipated.

I knew I shouldn’t have let myself touch her.

The pull toward her was undeniable. It was magnetic, a force that felt like it was tearing me apart from the inside out. Every second we spent near each other, every brush of her skin, only made it harder to stay in control.

Her lips parted as I brushed my nose against hers, moving slowly as if the space between us was as much about restraint as it was about desire.

I should stop. I should step back.

But with her this close, breathing the same air, I didn’t want to. I wanted to stay here, feeling the way she melted into me, just for a little longer.

When her eyes finally opened, she caught me staring.

“Dorian,” she said, her voice firm, but the way she looked at me told a different story. There was something more there.

Damn, my name sounds good coming out of her mouth. Too good.

“Yes?” I replied, my lips nearly brushing hers.

“We can’t do this.”

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