But Henry rushed so he could do this one small thing for me, proving he wasn’t only thinking about himself.He was thinking about me.
Always.
I took his hand with a smile, relishing in his warmth as he helped me out.Once I had my footing, he steered me toward the house with a gentle hand on my lower back.
As we approached the front door, he entered a code into the keypad.
“You’re just going to let yourself in?”I asked.
“He does the same at my place.”
“Guess I’ll make sure not to walk around naked then,” I teased, hoping to tame the nervous butterflies dancing in my stomach.
Henry froze, his eyes snapping to mine, predatory and hungry.
“That settles it.”He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.
“What are you doing?”
“Deleting his access.”His lips twitched.“Feel free to walk around naked all you want, Ariana.”
I laughed.“I was kidding.”
“I wasn’t.”
The intensity in his gaze stole my breath, so much heat and want in those green orbs.It sent a rush of excitement through me, destroying every single defense I’d built over the years.
“Is that what you want?”I whispered, stepping closer, drawn by something magnetic and reckless.“To get me naked?”
His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down on a hard swallow.“You already know the answer to that.”
“I wouldn’t want to presume, Mr.Fontaine.”I tilted my head back, my voice husky.Wanton.
“Ariana…”
He took half a step toward me, then the door swung open.
A very pregnant blonde filled the doorway, wide-eyed as she looked between us.“Oh!I’m sorry.I heard voices, and I… Well, I didn’t mean to interrupt...your moment.”
“We can pick it back up later.”He gave me a wink that sent another wave of exhilaration through me before turning his attention toward the blonde.“Good to see you, Imogene.”
He kissed her cheek, and I tried not to notice how effortlessly he shifted from predator to friend.
Or how much I liked the idea of being his prey.
“How are you feeling?”he asked.
“Like I want to evict this kid,” she groaned, rubbing her belly.“But apparently, she needs to cook for six more weeks.”
“Enjoy the quiet while you can.”
“I plan on it.”She smiled, then turned to me.“You must be Ariana.I’m Imogene.”
Before I could react, she wrapped me in a hug.The contact startled me.I’d spent so long in a world where affection was calculated, where smiles were rehearsed and hugs were performative.This felt different.Real.
When she sensed my hesitation, she drew back with an apologetic grin.“Too forward?Sorry.I’m a hugger.”
“No,” I said quickly.“It’s okay.I don’t mind.”
