Page 80 of Code Violation

Silas glances down the hallway and into the living area, where Drew is straddling her fiancé, a glass of champagne in one hand while she wraps her bridal sash around Will’s wrists. Laughter and music ring around the house.

“I’d say that our presence has been well received, wouldn’t you?” Silas replies, tipping his chin at Will and Drew.

I feel a tingle between my thighs when he leads me out of the house through the patio doors and out into the large garden. The relaxing sound of the koi pond as water trickles down a feature set in the center clears my mind of the intensity over the last few hours. Tonight was so much fun, but also a lot. When I was younger, I used to like going out partying before I moved to Seattle and met Kane. My life, and what I want from it, has shifted significantly since that time.

“Here, put this around your shoulders.” Silas unzips his thick blue sweater, and I hug into it for warmth. It smells of him, enveloping me in comfort as we continue walking through the garden.

“Where are you taking me?”

Silas winks, but doesn’t say anything.

I don’t need to wait long for an answer as we round a corner, and I set eyes on a large white cabin at the end of the garden. It glows in the darkness from two small windows on either side of a sage-green door.

“Will and Drew had it installed a few weeks back. It’s Drew’s home office, but on closer inspection, I think it’s just a place where she can escape my teammate for a while.”

I chuckle, and Silas leads me across the stepping stones toward it and pulls the door open.

He’s right; it’s definitely more of a homey space than an office, featuring soft white and pink furnishings, including a plush two-seater couch and more blankets than Target has in stock.

Several candles have been lit, making the whole place smell sweet, like a candy store.

“Do the others know where we are?” I ask.

Silas shakes his head and pulls me inside, closing the door behind him. There isn’t much space in here, his large frame causing my surroundings to feel even more enclosed.

And I fucking love the way his proximity makes me feel.

Drew’s laptop sits on a side table with a couple of contemporary romance hardbacks set on top. They look well read, and I smile at an image of her curled up in here, living her best life.

“While everyone was busy talking about the wedding, I snuck out here to find this place.” Silas turns to face me, taking my other hand and sitting down on the couch.

It’s deathly silent, other than my pulse as it hammers in my ears.

Still holding hands, I stand between Silas’s parted knees. He looks so handsome tonight in a light-gray shirt and dark jeans. He’s styled his hair to the side with a few pieces falling into his eyes.

Lord, have mercy on me.

“You gonna come take a seat in my lap, Ves?”

Shock waves of electricity ricochet through me when he swivels our hands and interlaces his fingers through mine.

“Do you want me to straddle you or sit across your knees?” I reply, teasing him.

His eyes drop down the length of my dress, hungry and wanting.

“Fucking knockout,” he coos, pushing the sweater off my shoulders until it collapses in a heap behind me. “It’s probably best if you don’t ask me what I want. I’m liable to overstep with you after watching guys come on to you all night.”

I tip my head to one side, curious. “I didn’t see you in the cocktail bar.”

He shakes his head, large palms wrapped around my hips as he pulls me into him, setting a kiss against my stomach.

Every cell in my body feels like it could detonate at any moment, and this man’s touch will be the spark that lights the fuse.

“That’s because I wasn’t in the bar. Not that particular bar anyway.” His voice is heady and thick, a reflection of the building atmosphere between us.

“You followed us into town?”

The faintest hint of pink flushes his cheeks. “I might’ve seen a picture on June’s Instagram stories and got a little jealous of the guy talking to you in the background.”