Page 39 of Worth the Risk

My gaze dropped to her lips, and I was struck with the need to kiss her again. Instead I slid my hand higher until my fingers brushed the edge of her panties.

‘Gideon, wait.’

I forced my fingers to halt their exploring.

She exhaled a little shakily, a wariness creeping across her face. ‘That look on your face at the marina on Monday? What was that all about?’

Unease punched me in the gut. ‘I wasn’t absolutely certain you’d turn up. In fact, I was surprised to see you there.’

Her gaze probed mine. ‘That wasn’t surprise I saw, Gideon.’

My unease grew. What did she see when she looked at me? The tatters left behind after a double betrayal? ‘What did you see?’ I dared.

Her eyes grew a shade darker. ‘It was...the way you looked at me. As if you were pleased to see me and hated yourself for it.’

Brutal honesty demanded I come clean. ‘I was. I did.’

‘Exactly how am I supposed to react to that?’

‘We’re talking without games or artifice.’

‘Are we? Then tell me what you’re hiding.’

‘Leonora.’ My voice pulsed with warning she couldn’t miss.

But her gaze boldly held mine. ‘You didn’t hate me for turning up, you hated me because I don’t fit into some perfect mould in your life and you don’t know how to handle it.’

‘If we’re speaking plainly, then yes. You intrigue me, Leonora. Very much. And I’m not sure if I’m ready for this level of intrigue. But I do know I’ve been dying to touch you for four bloody days. And here you are. But you’re hiding something, too, aren’t you?’

Her gaze dropped from mine.

I renewed my caress, my fingers brushing her silk-covered pussy. ‘But while I’m greedy to know you inside out, I’m willing to let you keep your secrets. For now.’

She made a little sound in her throat.

‘Do you want me to stop?’ I asked.

Her eyelids fluttered. ‘Would you believe me if I said yes?’

‘I’d believe you.’

Her lips parted but no words emerged.

‘Say it, Leonora. Be honest with me.’

‘Okay. You intrigue me, too.’

‘And?’ I pressed, that alien need clawing at me.

She shook her head. ‘Gideon, this is crazy.’

‘You’re saying a lot of words but I’m not hearing a no.’ My fingers slid beneath her panties, grazed her clit.

She jerked in her seat and her thighs fell open just a fraction wider, enough to grant me further access.

‘This thing between us is driving you as insane as it’s driven me,’ I muttered, the scent of her washing over me, fracturing my concentration.

‘This thing?’ she slurred slightly. ‘You mean the almost sex you’re not supposed to be having?’

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