Page 204

Maybe it's deciding they're worth the risk of falling.

So when we finally go home that night, I stop analyzing.

I stop questioning.

I stop trying to protect the part of myself that has already become his anyway.

Mitchell reaches for me. I reach back. Our clothes disappear, and there’s no hesitation. Not anymore.

I don't shy away or cover myself because I know Mitchell likes my body.

No. That's not strong enough.

He fucking loves my body. He's shown me that in so many ways. Not only when we're naked.

It's the hand he automatically settles on my hip when he passes behind me. The way his gaze lingers when I'm getting dressed in the morning. The possessive little tug that pulls me closer when we're sitting beside each other. The way he looks at me.

Like there isn't a single inch he'd change.

Like he can't understand why I ever thought there might be.

Tonight, that icy blue gaze moves over me slowly, and I swear I can feel it everywhere it touches.

My pulse jumps. His does too. I can see it beating at the base of his throat.

For a moment, neither of us moves.

That's new.

Usually there's urgency between us.

Banter.

A challenge.

One of us pushes and the other pushes back until we're tearing at each other's clothes and trying to prove something.

Tonight, Mitchell simply looks at me.

And I look back.

Something in his expression makes my chest ache.

“You're staring, Mr. Knight.”

His gaze finally lifts to mine.

“I'm aware.”

“It's rude.”

“I don't care.”

“You rarely do.”

His mouth curves and that smile wrecks me. It’s the one I've somehow started thinking belongs to me.

He takes one slow step closer. Then another.