“Not with me.”
He smirked but couldn’t hide his tension. “And that’s the part that confuses me the most. And why you’re the most dangerous of the lot.”
“Me? Dangerous?” I laughed. “As if.”
Before he could reply, I rushed, “I’m offering to do this without expecting anything back. That’s it. That’s all. Does that answer your endless questions?”
He stared at me for so long, the air seemed to buzz around us. More questions cut through his gaze, but he didn’t voice them. Instead, he closed his eyes and forced his hands to stop strangling the couch. “I burn in every bone of my body. Every droplet of blood feels like it’s searing me alive. I don’t care what you massage. I doubt it will help, but...try wherever you want.”
I studied him, drinking him in while he couldn’t study me back.
Wiry muscles, ropey arms, and a shredded stomach—most likely from constantly clenching against pain. No part of him would be easy.
My hands already ached at the thought.
He’d agreed yet...I wasn’t qualified. What if I only solidified his opinion that being touched was something to be avoided rather than enjoyed?
The urge to flee came strong.
My cheeks caught fire as I shifted closer to him and the sudden idea of straddling him came and went. God, what would he do if I—
His eyes flashed open, almost as if he’d heard my thoughts.
“I forgot to warn you.” He smiled, tight and thin. “If you do anything that hurts me or if you touch certain...areas, I’ll snap your neck with my bare hands, got it?”
His threat echoed in the room, but for some reason, I wasn’t afraid.
Either my fear and adrenaline were broken from this place, or I trusted him more than I realised.
“Got it.” I nodded.
His nostrils flared as I sat beside him; I cringed as my knee pressed against his.
He stiffened, his gaze snapping to where we touched. That damn spark appeared again. Crackling and constant, a live current flowing from him to me.
Turning to face him, I breathed, “Just...don’t kill me by accident, okay? If I touch you somewhere you don’t like—barring the obvious, which I vow to stay well away from—” my eyes dropped to between his spread legs “—just tell me.”
He held my stare until my heart threatened to leap out of my chest.
Finally, he nodded and closed his eyes again. “Fine.”
Fine...
But it wasn’t fine and what thehellwas I thinking?
My breath caught in my throat as I scooted closer and raised shaking hands to his temples. My fingers hovered for a second, unsure.
This wassucha bad idea.
Clenching my teeth, I did it anyway.
With my heart skipping, I pressed my fingers lightly to the soft skin by his hairline.
He went instantly rigid.
His breath hitched.
His hands balled.
