Page 72 of Tortured Soul
Then the surface shook under me.
Shook like it laughed but tried to keep quiet.
My eyes snapped open and I lifted my head, only for my eyes to meet Arc’s mischievous ones.
This was it. I was going to die from embarrassment here and now. I’ve been laying on top of him, straddling his body and rubbing my face against his chest.
My pitiful attempt to flee was denied by both his arms coming to circle my waist, forming a band of steel around me.
“What, no good morning before you start to freak out and try to escape?”
I pushed against his chest, unsuccessful in trying to break through his hold.
“You said you wouldn’t touch me,” I gritted out, straining.
“I’m pretty sure this touch is still not inappropriate.”
Turning my head to the side, I could see one of his hands in a tight fist, effectively not touching me. I was guessing the other one was in the same position.
“Words are important when you make a binding promise,” he said, sliding his nose against my cheek. “You should pay more attention.”
I groaned, but this time, when I pushed myself away from him, he let me.
Only to roll us over and settle between my legs.
My breath caught in my throat as my eyes widened in shock, staring at his playful ones as my hands went instinctively on his biceps.
“How isthatnot inappropriate?”
“You look good, powered by my energy,” he said, ignoring my remark and inching closer to my face. “And wearing my shirt. I’m still upset about your lack of communication, though.”
My throat bobbed.
“Are you going to blackmail another kiss from me?” I asked, searching his eyes. “Thatwould be inappropriate.”
What a hypocrite I was. To be honest with myself, I kinda wanted to feel his lips on mine again. Was it his strategy? To get me hooked on his soft lips and demanding tongue? Because, unfortunately for my sanity, it was fucking working.
“I’mreallyupset, so I’m not sure a kiss will be enough.”
My mouth went dry. My palms clammy.
Not that Iwasn’tcompletely aroused at the thought of riding this man to my death, but the thought of him trying to blackmail something else out of me made the unease rise inside me.
“Reallyinappro—”
“A date,” he said, dropping a small kiss on the corner of my lips. His hands were inches from my head, supporting his weight over me. “I want us to go on a date. Today. Just you and I. Andreallytalk. Ask all the questions we might have about each other and answer truthfully.”
“A…date?” My lips were parted, outrage leaving place to confusion.
He nodded, both eager and anxious.
It was strange seeing a man like him looking like that. When we first met, he felt obnoxious. Short tempered. Confident.
The man hovering above me was more…complex. Vulnerable.
“A date,” I repeated again. “Like—”
“Having a drink, or a meal. Something simple, but where we could—”
