Page 26 of To Keep

“With not dying? Yes, I’m very okay with it.”

“I’m talking about me,” he said.

“What about you?”

He groaned, a deep masculine sound, and it equally turned her on. “I’m telling you that I like you.”

“I like you, too.”

Galen shook his head. “You’re not getting me. I’m trying to say thisisa date. Or I was hoping it could be a date.”

She froze, unable to speak or even think. A real date? The guy keeping her hostage was falling for her? Galen was hot, hotter than hot. He was all hard muscle and ink, the kind of men women tossed their morals for. Why was he interested in a girl like her? She was beyond suspicious.

“It’s not like you to have no comment,” he said. “This is the most I’ve shared with another human in a long time.”

She looked him in the eyes now. “Sorry, I’m not trying to be rude. I’m just a little leery of sweet words from men.”

“Do you not get asked on a lot of dates?”

“No.”

“Good.”

“Good?”

“I like the idea that you’re just for me.”

Every nerve in her body was alight with need. That deep-seated urge to be wanted and desired rushed to the surface. She desperately wanted to belong to Galen. Was she crazy to even consider this?

The waiter appeared and they gave their orders. It was a welcome respite for her to collect her emotions.

When Galen reached across the table to run his hand along her forearm, she thought she’d melt into a puddle. She realized her arm was still and robotic. “I’m sorry, I’m not trying to be a prude. This is all new to me.”

“I like you just the way you are. You’re perfect. I’m not going to fight my feelings any longer.”

“Why would you? Because I’m your hostage?”

He frowned. “No, because I have my own issues. I’m not good at trusting or sharing my feelings. Nobody has ever been good to me.”

She felt so connected to him right now and didn’t want to blow this.

“I won’t hurt you.”

He scoffed. “After everything I’ve done to you?”

“You never hurt me.” She looked toward the waves, took a deep breath, and tried to forget her multitude of worries. This was a date, plain and simple. She wouldn’t overthink it. Wouldn’t push him away because she thought she didn’t deserve him. Maybe fate worked in mysterious ways, and she wasn’t going to jinx anything.

“Do you like the water?” he asked.

“I could watch it all day. It’s so soothing. Peaceful.”

“And powerful.”

This time she took the chance and reciprocated his advance. She leaned over the table, knowing full well her cleavage was on full display for him. “Like you.” She painted her fingertip along the ink on his arm, every intricate design.

He grabbed her wrist in a firm hold. “Be careful, Skye, or I’ll take you home right now.”

She could feel his need, his desire for her. Suddenly she wasn’t so hungry anymore.

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