Page 38 of The Little Black Rose

“Excuse me,” she says jerking back and pushing herself up with a shaky laugh. “I need to pee. Again.”

Then she’s gone. Did I go too far? What was I thinking? I was about to…what? Kiss her?

Fuck. I hope I didn’t just take two steps back after all the progress I’ve made.

Chapter18

I Asked You First

Ava

“Jesus, Ava, get it together.”

I mumble the words as I pace the length of my bedroom. Zeke was being so sweet, then something changed. The tension between us was thick and heady, and I swear, he was about to kiss me.

And I panicked.

“He wasn’t going to kiss you, idiot,” I mutter under my breath.

It was just wishful thinking, and I shouldn’t have been wishing it in the first place. I can’t go there with Zeke. Not when he is only here to be a father to our babies. Sex would only complicate things.

Oh, so now it’s not just a kiss? It’s sex, too? Shit, woman, get a grip.

I head into the bathroom––I really do have to pee––and take care of business before washing my hands and splashing some cool water on my face. I steel my spine and head back into the living room, but the smile Zeke gives me doesn’t actually reach his eyes.

I retake my spot on the couch and stare at the television, but I don’t comprehend what’s happening in the true crime show I’d picked. I’m hyper-aware of the man next to me, and it takes every ounce of willpower I possess to stop myself from stealing glances at his face.

“The husband did it,” he says, breaking the silence.

I inhale shallowly and look at him. “What?”

He nods toward the T.V. “The husband killed her. They have solid evidence against him.”

I dip my chin. “Of course, he did. It’s always the husband.”

I look back at the screen, attempting to force myself to concentrate on the program, but it’s no use. I’m tense as hell, and there’s no fucking way Zeke can’t sense it. His sigh proves I’m right.

“Listen, Ava. I’m sorry about earlier. I got caught up in the moment and…” Another sigh. “It won’t happen again.”

My eyes widen, but when I don’t respond verbally, he shakes his head and stands.

“I’m going to head to bed. I’ll see you in the morning.”

I breathe out a goodnight, and then he’s gone. I blink several times, my fluttering eyelids the only movement in my body as I process what just happened.

Did he just admit hewantedto kiss me? That I didn’t misread the whole situation?

I want to pretend I don’t know how I feel about the possibility, but I can’t lie to myself. My blood is humming in my veins. Excitement heats my skin, and I really want to know if Zeke meant what I think he meant with that apology.

I’ve never been a coward, and I refuse to start being one now. Taking a deep breath, I stand and take slow and measured steps toward Zeke’s bedroom door. Pausing before it, I take a moment to calm myself before rapping my knuckles lightly against the wooden panel.

Zeke’s muffled voice reaches my ears, telling me to enter. Twisting the knob, I push open the door and lean a shoulder against the jamb. He’s already in bed, sitting up with pillows propped behind him and a thin sheet draped over his bottom half. His chest is bare, and it takes every bit of strength in me to keep my gaze locked on his.

“Did you need something?” he asks when the silence between us stretches on for too long.

“Do you want to kiss me, Zeke?” I ask, cocking my head and keeping my expression blank like his answer doesn’t meaneverythingto me.

“Do you want to kissme?” he counters.

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