Page 58 of Unspoken Promises

And she licks hers like she’s just as parched.

The curl of her fingers around the seam of my jeans ruins me. I lower my head, and my nose falls into her thick, red locks that smell like strawberries.

She slides her fingers along the fabric to where my zipper starts and runs her thumb in circles over my jeans button. Whatever the hell we’re doing, my cock grows thick so close to her touch, in the grip of her own wanting…

I’m overcome with emotion, a feeling I haven’t had in years… possibly ever. I haven’t let many women close. And none of them has ever enticed me to do the wrong thing. No woman has ever made me want to rip her clothes off like this and make her mine. Honor her. Protect her. Know her the way I wish I knew Ava Scott.

Her gaze is unguarded. Her words are a mere whisper. “I can’t help GhostEye if you aren’t honest…”

I trace my finger over her collarbone, swiping hair off it and exposing her skin along with a hundred freckles I’d give anything to taste right now. “It isn’t just my secret to keep.”

I trail my fingers down her shoulder blades, along the thin fabric of her tank top, feeling her soft waist beneath my palm. “I will tell you, Scottie…”

I run my hand back up her waist, allowing my thumb to graze her nipple, tight and hard right through her top. I lace my fingers through her hair.

She tilts her chin up and sends a daring look from half-mast eyes.

I brush my thumb across her lips.

She closes her eyes, and I lower my mouth…

Knock, knock , knock.

We jump with surprise; cool air instantly puts out the fire between us.

“Everything okay in there?”

It’s Penelope.

I don’t know if her interruption is the work of God or the Devil.

“You guys all right?” Penelope asks again.

I shove my hands into my pockets. Ava swipes her hair back, twisting it that way women do into a bun without a hair tie. If she thinks she’s hot and bothered, I’m an inferno.

Ava answers through the door, “Yeah. We’re good. Be out in a sec.”

“The chocolate fountain is almost gone already, so if you want some…”

Ava faces the door exposing that delicious neck again. “Thanks. Be right there…”

Penelope doesn’t answer, so I’m guessing she either went to eat some chocolate or has her ear pressed to the door.

Ava smooths her fiery hair again and tucks some behind her ear. She licks her lips, seemingly trying to go back to normal. Act like none of that happened.

I clear my throat and do the same, wrapping up the conversation like it’s the end of some board meeting. I comb my fingers through my hair and will my unprofessional bulge to go down. “I’ll tell you everything when we get back to the ranch.”

She nods, and though I don’t expect it, I’m still disappointed when she doesn’t offer that she’ll tell me everything, too. Her secrets run deeper than I thought and makes me think they’re even more dangerous.

She shakes her head. “It’s your data. I shouldn’t have been like that.”

“I’d have been the same as you. You said you cared about GhostEye… I can see you meant it.”

Her thin-lipped smile is filled with pleasure. “I do.” She stares at the floor. “I believe you, too. And I hope you can understand that…” Her gaze meets mine, it’s full of longing and sincerity. “Iwilltell you everything, Enzo. But I told myself I’d only do it after I helped you first. I keep my word. Even if it is to myself.”

“You should.Especiallyif it’s to yourself.” I’m desperate to know her story. “But you’ve already helped now.”

“I haven’t found anything you don’t already know. Plus, you and I both know these three hacks aren’t even half the story.”

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