Page 14 of The Monster’s Weakness

“How much?”

“All of it.” He spoke four other languages too, but he wouldn’t share that just yet.

She was genuinely interested in him. There was something intoxicating about watching her become aware of him. The hitch in her breathing when he touched her. The way her pupils widened. He wanted to know every one of those reactions. Wanted to collect them. Wanted—

Her free hand rose suddenly to the back of her neck. His dark thoughts stopped. She rubbed lightly beneath her hair.

“You all right?”

Her hand dropped. “Hmm?”

“You’re warm.” It wasn’t a question.

Her smile came a fraction too quickly. “It’s hot in here.”

It was, but not enough to explain the faint flush beginning along her neck or the slight glassiness he’d noticed creeping into her eyes. He knew what heat could do to her. Caleb knew far more than she realized. Over the past couple of months, he’d studied MS as if he had it himself. He released her hand.

The little flash of disappointment on her face nearly made him reconsider every good intention he’d ever had. Instead, he reached for the water carafe and topped up her glass.

“Drink.”

Her eyebrow rose.

He pushed the glass toward her, and his cock hardened as she sipped at it. Christ.

He looked away for exactly two seconds, because apparently he was now the kind of man who could be undone by a woman drinking water. When he looked back, she was watching him.

“What?” he asked.

“Nothing.”

He gave her quizzical look.

She grinned. “Now you know how annoying that is.”

He almost smiled. She was too fucking cute.

They ordered their food and shared a dessert afterward. Everything was going perfectly, except for the fact she was driving him crazy with her subtle teasing. The way she’d drag a fingertip along her collarbone, run her tongue over her lips, or make those fucking sexy sounds when eating the dessert.

“You really should stop doing that,” he said quietly.

“Doing what?”

“Testing how much self-control I have.”

Her breathing changed.

“How much do you have?” she whispered.

Something dark and hot pulled tight inside him. He leaned forward, closing the space between them.

“Not nearly as much as you seem to think I have.”

Her lips parted.

He wanted to kiss her. Fuck, it was all he could think about. Not the kiss appropriate for a first date, restrained and careful. No, he wanted the kind that would wipe that teasing smile off her mouth and leave her gripping the front of his shirt.

Instead, he reached across the table and tucked one loose strand of hair behind her ear. He let his fingers linger against her jaw.