Page 100 of The Silent Note

I set her not-so-gently off my lap and pull my boxers back up. My body protests immediately, demanding I put Grey and herperfect thighs right back on top of me, but I pull my zipper up instead.

“Why are you so upset?” Her eyes follow me as I move.

“I’m not upset.”

“You’re sulking like a child.”

Every muscle in my body pulls taut. There she goes, calling me a child again.

Before I can think it through, I blurt, “If I’m a child, what does that make you,Miss Jamieson?”

Her expression shuts down immediately. She’s like those flowers that close up when you touch them. Except I didn’t just touch her where she’s sensitive. I trampled her.

Regret floods me instantly.

I know I’m wrong for that.

I know that isn’t what we are.

I know it’s a gut-punch to evencompareus to something that heinous when our relationship is already so hard for her.

And I wish I could take it back.

“Grey…”

Before I can apologize, she blinks a couple times and this stupid mask comes over her face. I can almost taste the plastic.

Shakily, she forces a smile. “Can you step out of the car for a moment, Mr. Cross? I need to change.”

There’s an entire drum kit pressing into my chest. The words ‘I’m sorry’ dangle on the tip of my tongue, but she’s probably not going to receive them if I give those words to her now.

“Mr. Cross?”

I’m ‘Mr. Cross’ again. Took forever for this woman to call me Zane and now we’re back to that cold language.

You started it first, calling her Miss Jamieson.

I blink rapidly.

Even so, I wish she’d scream at me. Throw punches. Slam my face into the window.

I’d deserve it.

But I mean… what is this false composure? What is this wall she’s building, that’s climbing ten times higher than it was before we slept together?

Running my good hand through my hair a couple times, I step outside the car. I hear Grey shuffling around in there. Putting her panties back on. Her bra. Her pencil skirt. Her Redwood Prep teacher’s blouse.

Leaning my head back against the foggy window, I flip my imaginary drumstick around and around.

Damn.

I messed up.

And I don’t know how to fix it.

Chapter Twenty-Five

GREY

---