Page 91 of Heartland

Knowledge is a dangerous thing. I can’t unhear that sound. I can’t unknow how much chemistry we have. And I don’t even want to try. “Can I tell you my other problem now?”

“I guess,” she says, erasing something on the page.

Instead of speaking, I lean in and kiss her neck. It’s just a brush of my lips across her skin. But I inhale the lemon scent of her shampoo, and my heart starts to pound like I’m a drug addict who’s suddenly within reach of his next hit.

“Dyl,” she whispers. “Maybe you should sit on the other side of the table.”

“Maybe,” I whisper back. “But suggesting that isn’t the same as telling me to do it. Since we’re on a new truth kick, do youreallywant me to go sit there?”

Chastity considers me with her big blue eyes. She closes them and slowly shakes her head.

“Ah. I didn’t think so.” I lean in and kiss her neck again.

“What are you doing?” she asks in a husky voice.

“I’m kissing your neck. In case it’s not enough to say that I’m honestly very attracted to you, I’m totally willing to prove it. Or I can move to the other side of the table and stick to algebra. It’s really your call.”

Chastity inhales a shaky breath. “Talking about this is really hard for me.”

“Harder than problem thirty-two?” I ask for clarification.

“Actually, yes.” Her cheeks are suddenly bright pink. “I know it’s inconvenient. And you’re being really wonderful right now. And the whole week of silence is totally my fault. But I have reasons—a lifetime’s worth of being told what not toeversay.”

“Okay,” I say quickly. But the truth is that I never considered that talking about sex might be extra difficult for her. Talking about sex is probably my fifth favorite hobby. It’s definitely in the top ten.

“I already spent the week wishing I could take back all the things I said to you before.”

Ouch. “You regret being with me?”

“Not atall. I regret—” She gulps. “Askingfor it.”

“Oh,” I say slowly, as that sinks in. It’s hard enough to want things. But it’s even harder if you feel ashamed for naming them. “That’s a tight spot you’re in, isn’t it?”

She gives a stiff little shrug, like it doesn’t matter. But it’s finally dawning on me that it really does.

“Okay.” I let out a big breath. “Okay.” I put an arm around her and pull her close to me. And I add a quick kiss on her temple for good measure. “Thank you for explaining that.”

She relaxes against me, and I feel like I can breathe again for the first time this week.

“I don’t mean to be so dramatic,” she murmurs.

“You aren’t. Neither of us likes drama very much, but sometimes it’s unavoidable.”

“But where do we go from here?”

“Well…” That is the trickier question. “First you have one more problem to solve. But then I hope you’ll come home with me. I need to spend a little time with you, and I can’t do that at your place.”

“Come home with you,” she repeats slowly. The air thickens between us. I swear her blue eyes darken as I watch.

“That’s right. It can just be for drinks and a snack. Or we can work on ourothertutoring subject. But in my bed, this time. I like this idea a whole lot, but it’s still your choice. And—” I suddenly think of an innovation. “—since you prefer not to talk about certain subjects, you don’t have to. You can just give me a clue.”

“A clue?” she whispers so quietly that I almost can’t hear it.

“Yeah.” I remember Rickie telling me that Chastity prefers actions to words. “You don’t have to ask for tutoring. You don’t have to say a word. I’ll know you’re all in if you hand me your panties.”

“If Iwhat?” she squeaks, her eyes blazing. We’re back in stare-down mode, and I love it.

“You heard me.” I run a finger down her cute little sloping nose. “If you want me to take you home and lift up that skirt, all you have to do is put the panties in my hand. Simplest thing ever.”