Page 51 of Kiss of Deceit
“Have a drink with me.” My eyes darted to her wet sweater. “Since you didn’t finish your last one.”
“Don’t,” she warned, her voice sharp.
“Don’t what?”
“Your pity is the reason I don’t show people my scars,” she ground out. “I don’t need nor want it.”
“I might not be able to read people the way you can,” I murmured, tossing her jacket and purse on the coffee table before stalking closer to her. “But that’s a lie. You don’t show them because you don’t want to explain what happened to you.”
“I’m not telling you,” she snapped.
I raised an eyebrow before moving next to her and opening the cupboard. “Did I ask?”
When she attempted to slink toward the stairs again, I caught her arm. “Drink with me.”
Her eyes cut to my hand on her before meeting my gaze again. “Why?”
“Because you don’t want to be alone right now.”
She scoffed. “I’m pretty sure I just told you that was exactly what I wanted.”
Releasing her arm, I leaned closer, keeping her stare. “Something is bothering you. The last time this happened, you wanted to use me as a distraction. You don’t like being alone when you’re upset.”
My guess was proven correct when she hesitated. It was only for a second before she masked her emotions again, her face turning cold.
“I’m fine.”
“That’s why you spilled your drink while practically running out of my bar?”
“You really need to stop stalking me,” she muttered.
“I wasn’t stalking you. You were at my business.”
“Whatever you say. I’m going to bed.”
“One drink. We’ll only talk about what you want,” I coaxed her, getting in her way again.
A suspicious frown tipped her lips. “Why are you being so persistent?”
“Because it’s been a long fucking week in this town.” I set down two glasses. “And we deserve a damn drink.”
She didn’t call me out on my lie, making me smother my grin. I was right about her not wanting to be alone.
Making sure to keep her sweater over her stomach, she crossed her arms. “I need to get a new shirt.”
With a chuckle, I grabbed the back collar of my black shirt, pulling it off. “Wear mine. Now, are you going to come up with another excuse before I pour your drink?”
Her eyes trailed down my tatted chest, a sinful smile growing on her lips as she let her sweater fall to the floor. “I don’t want a drink. But you’re right. I also don’t want to be alone.”
I didn’t have a chance to respond before she raised onto her tiptoes, wrapped her arms around my neck, and smashed her lips to mine. My self-control crumbled the moment I tasted her. I grabbed her hips, pulling her closer, letting out a groan as I deepened the kiss.
Until she suddenly stiffened. It was subtle, and she kept kissing me, pressing her body into mine. Cracking my eyes open, I caught her glancing at the kitchen light. She made a small noise of protest when I pulled my lips from hers while keeping a tight grip on her hips.
“You want this?” I asked gruffly. “Because if you don’t, tell me right now, Dani.”
“I want it,” she breathed out, even as indecision crossed her face. “But no questions.”
It was clear she was talking about her scars, and while I did want to find out what happened to her, I could wait. She could have walked away the second I saw her scars, but here she was, kissing me.
