Page 25

Hunter

I watch as Elliott runs her hands over the spines of the books lining the shelves of my office.

There was a slight grin playing on her lips as she places her finger on the top of a book and pulls it out.

I can't help but watch her over my laptop as she flips to the first page, her eyes lighting up as she begins to read.

My chest pings at the sight of happiness filling her eyes.

I’m not falling for Elliott. I’m comforting her. Easing her mind to heal…

Who am I kidding? I knew I was falling for this girl the moment she clung to me in Kam’s bed.

Everything changed in that moment. Her soft cries, those doe-like eyes slammed shut, her hand grasping my arm telling me not to leave her.

My heart ached for her, with more than just empathy…

I wanted to consume that pain, make it my own to bear so she wouldn’t have to fe el that way ever again.

I knew my reaction was more than just keeping my word to Kam.

Fuck…Kam.

He's either going to punch me in the face or never let me live this down. He wanted us to find someone again for a long time. This would only get his hopes up, because unlike me, Marcus was not going to give in to his feelings if he even had any for her. I might be a quiet, reserved man but when it comes to her I can’t help but soften.

Even after everything she went through, I can see the fight she has.

“Which one caught your eye?” I say, keeping my eyes on her.

She stops reading, bringing the open book to her chest as she turns to look at me. Her cheeks start to develop into a beautiful shade of pink. I raise my hand and motion for her to come. She arrives as I turn in my chair, her feet stopping right in front of mine.

I grab the books from her hands, looking at the title.

“ Falling into Hope ” she whispers.

“Romance your thing?” I smirk at her.

Of all the books she could have chosen, it's one of the few romance books I own, and a good one at that.

“I–I don’t really know…” I quirk my brow at her response, “I wasn’t given a lot of options on the books I could read in Everton. I mean, I like the first page.” She lets out a soft chuckle .

I widen my thighs, grabbing her hand so she has to step in between them. Her breath hitches at the sudden proximity and I watch her pulse pick up.

Does she like this?

I pull her hand gently again and she leans over me slightly, her pupils dilating right in front of me.

Oh, she does like this.

“I have a feeling you will enjoy this one.” I caress her cheek with my finger tips, letting my hand gently push her hair out of her face.

The motion has her leaning closer to me now.

“You’ll have to give me updates and a full review when you are done.

” I smirk, knowing exactly what happens.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to watch her take in every word of this forbidden romance she’s about to read.

“You want to know my thoughts on this book?” She giggles again and my chest warms at the sound. I want to hear it more .

“Yes.” I state matter of factly. “Can you do that for me, baby girl?”

“Yes…” she pauses her expression going from doe-eyed to vixen siren before she adds a “ sir .”

Fucking hell.

She knows exactly what she’s doing when she fucking says that. She doesn’t realize just how much she is playing with fire. Kam is dominant and can control himself but me…she has no clue how much internal strength I’m using to tame this part of me.

The way she keeps her grin at bay doesn’t go unrecognized.

I lean back in my chair as she turns away from me, walking to the small loveseat couch.

I drag my hand down my face taking in a deep breath and turn to my laptop again.

I have been so consumed with all that’s happening that I have been neglecting my work, and her planting the delicious sound of the word ‘sir’ in my head is only making it harder to concentrate.

I give her another glance and see she’s pulled the throw blanket over her and got all cozy, with her eyes gobbling up each word she’s reading.

I loved seeing her this way…comfortable…happy.

I wanted her to stay this way with me.