Page 57 of Pursued-

In the Rover, I put my hand over his on the gearshift, wanting a small physical connection.

“Is that all right?” I ask.

“Yes.”

“Zoe said there are times when she’s supposed to ask C’s permission to touch him.”

Sasha doesn’t speak.

“Is that what you’d prefer? For me to ask before I touch you?”

He shakes his head.

“What about at certain times? During a scene?” I’m not sure what even constitutes a scene, but I’d like to know. I’m curious.

He shakes his head again.

I smile. “Not going to confide in me? Isn’t that counterproductive?”

“I answered you.”

My smile widens. “So I’m allowed to do whatever I want?” I tease.

“Pretty much.”

I laugh softly. “I thought you liked being in control?”

“Do you think I’m not?”

I lean forward and kiss his knuckles, then lick them. I look up through my lashes. “What if I did something distracting?” I bite the skin on the back of his hand, bit by bit, adding more force until I think it’s enough to leave a faint mark. Then I sit back, watching him.

He never takes his eyes from the road.

“What would be too far?” I ask softly.

“If it happens, I’ll let you know,” he says.

I wonder about all the secrets that must be buried inside him. Will he limit what he says or does because of what happened to me with Alberto?

“Same,” I say. “You don’t have to hold back. If things go too far, I’ll tell you.”

His gaze cuts to me for a moment, then back to the hotel’s parking lot. I notice that he never valet parks.

He pulls into a spot and comes around to my door. He opens it and rests his hands on the top of the frame.

I kiss him, slowly, capturing a lingering taste of him on my lips. My lids flutter up, so I’m staring at his jaw. I kiss that as well, breathing on him like a whisper. His groan is a low rumble. I raise my eyes to his.

My fingers come to rest on his neck. “I like the way we kiss.”

He nods.

“I like the way you talk to me without talking.”

He exhales.

“When you say nothing, I pretend you’re thinking exactly what I need to hear.”

His phone buzzes in his pocket. It takes him a moment to focus. He glances around before he removes it. He stares at the number, unrecognizing. I know it and stiffen.