Page 479 of Coal Hearts

A lash of heat.

A lightning fork of need.

It bolted down the energy line from the top of my head to the base of my spine. It simmered unwanted in my core.

Oh no, no, no...

I could cope with spacey. I could handle a few daydreams. But uninhibited desire? Elevated sex drive?

No way.

Squirming a little, I shook my head. “You know what? I think I’ll stay wrapped up. I’m fine like a burrito. See? Burrito is my new identity.”

He looked borderline unhinged as his gaze dropped to my chest and his teeth ground together. “You’re not fine. You look like a morbid Christmas tree. Open your damn towel. That isn’t a request.”

God, why?

Why did his curt command rush through me like the worst kind of aphrodisiac?

It shouldn’t.

It really shouldn’t.

But it did.

And it always had, and if the spacey feeling just faded for a moment, I’d have enough strength to crawl onto his lap, remove both our towels, and kiss him.

I moaned and licked my lips.

A kiss.

Yes...I’d like that.

He owed me one after scolding me so meanly.

“Why did you yell at me?” I asked, tears suddenly brimming. “You’ve never been that cross with me before.”

His nostrils flared.

I waited for him to answer.

He didn’t.

I hated his silence.

I hated his pain.

I hated that he’d drifted to a dark, dark place I couldn’t reach.

With a sharp inhale, he reached for the folded ends of my towel and spread them open.

“Hey.” I batted his hands away.

Too late.

Cool air licked my highly sensitive skin.

Another flush of peculiar numbness and want.