Page 61 of Depths of Destruction

Then I got a glimpse inside of her and the zing in my belly intensified.

That was before we had sex.

Getting to know her hasn't felt like a chore or something I should do. It's been a need from deep within. The more I find out about Naomi, the more the need intensifies instead of diminishing, which is what normally happens when I'm interested in a woman.

I'm in over my head with her.

What if Darien's right and she gets bored with me?

That would be poetic justice. It's exactly what happened to me with all those other women who deserved better.

I wipe my face and go back to the main room. Darien isn't anywhere to be seen, and Naomi is sitting on the deck, gazing at the ocean.

I drag a chair next to her and sit.

She turns to me and nervously says, "Hey."

"Hi. Are you doing okay?"

She takes a deep breath. "Are you?"

I pick up her hand and kiss it. "Nothing I can't handle. What about you?"

She blinks hard. "We shouldn't have come here. I'm sorry, I didn't think it through."

"No, you were right to bring us here. This is a safe spot right now. Darien is helping us." As the words come out of my mouth, I wince inside. I hate acknowledging to her he's bringing any value to our relationship, but it's the truth.

I'm such a jackass. I can't even give the guy credit without feeling jealous.

More worry fills her eyes. "What did he tell you in the garage?"

I tuck her hair behind her ear. "Nothing worth rehashing."

My words do nothing to remove the nervous expression on her face.

"Come here." I pat my thigh.

She hesitates.

I tap my leg again.

She rises and sits on my lap.

"You're shaking." I tighten my arm around her so she's close to my body and her head is against my chest. "Did he say something to upset you?"

I'll kill him.

"No. He didn't say anything to hurt me. But he thinks it's best if I hide out here."

Anger flares through me.He's trying to keep her with him.

Stay calm so you don't freak Naomi out.

"What do you think?"

She sighs. "I don't want to hurt him any more than I already have. And...and I don't want to hurt you."

Shit. She still has feelings for him.