Page 57

My heart is racing, and I can feel my cheeks burning.
I've been caught red-handed.
No, that's ridiculous. I haven't actually been caught. There's no way anyone knows what I'm doing.
The knocking continues, louder this time.
"Hang on," I call, my voice sounding shrill and panicked even to my own ears.
I take a deep breath, then another.
I can't let anyone see me like this.
Jumping out of bed, I try to straighten my clothes, so Ellis or Robbie or whoever doesn't see me like this.
Like I've been thinking about things I shouldn't be thinking about.
Like Cole... and touching myself.
"Coming," I call, trying to steady my breathing. "Just a second."
My face is flushed, and there's really nothing I can do about it. I head to the door across the huge room and unlock it, opening it just enough to see who's outside.
It should shock me that it's Cole because why the hell would it be?
Because what would he be doinghere?
But it doesn't. In fact, it's like I knew it before even opening the door.
Of course, it's Cole.
"Hey," I say, my voice breathless and uneven.
I try to force myself to act normal, but it's not happening. Not now, not like this.
Cole stands in the doorway, his eyes boring into mine. His gaze is intense, searching, and I feel exposed, vulnerable.
Holy. Hell.
His hair is damp from a recent shower. His chest rises and falls rapidly, his breathing heavy, like he's been running. Or something.
"Did you..." My voice falters as he takes a step closer, and I take a step back, which puts him right in my doorway
"...need something?" My voice sounds small and scared, and I hate it. I hate the way I feel like a deer in headlights.
Cole's gaze flicks down to the hem of my t-shirt, and he raises an eyebrow.
"What are you doing?" he asks, his voice low.
I swallow.
"Reading," I say almost breathlessly.
That was theintention anyway.
His gaze travels over me, then onto the bed, the rumpled sheets before returning to my face. The heat in his eyes is calling me a liar.
"I see."