Page 59 of Symphony for Lies

Releasing my grip around his waist, the warmth vanished in an instant. But it didn’t feel unbearable. I stretched briefly, then got off the bike.

Zane cut the engine, nudged the kickstand into place, and removed his helmet.

Then he turned toward me and slowly lifted my helmet off.His fingertips brushed my cheeks in a searing, feather-light touch.

Our gazes locked, and neither of us looked away.

Not even when he placed the helmet on the seat behind him and dismounted.“Was the ride enjoyable?”

I nodded, not trusting my voice.

Zane tilted his head with a serious expression, eyes dark and unreadable.“Physical contact helps with stress. After everything we saw today, we both needed it.”

He took a step forward. “The more, the better.”

He was too close. Too close.

But instead of backing up, I stayed. Every logical part of my brain screamed that this was a bad idea and that I should walk away.

But my body? It spoke a different language.

“Why so quiet, tutor?” he teased, voice dipping lower.

My heart hammered. “Don’t call me that anymore.”

Zane breathed out a quiet laugh.“Amelia,” he whispered.

It hit me like a spell. His soft fingers swept across my cheek again as he tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear.

That’s when a thought effortlessly slipped into my mind. A vision of him pulling me closer, his lips crashing into mine, devouring me.

It was a thought that I shouldn’t be having. A thought I wasn’t ready for. And yet, I didn’t pull away.

“What are you thinking about?”

My skin flushed, and I blinked rapidly, turning my face away.

Big mistake.

Zane chuckled; the sound was so wicked. His hand drifted lower, tracing the nape of my neck. A slow, lazy stroke.

My breath hitched.

“You always have something to say,” he whispered, voice like silk. “Why are you speechless now?”

I swallowed thickly.

“You know… you’re the first person I’ve ever taken on my bike.”

His confession made my heart skip a beat.

“And the first person I’ve ever fought to get attention from.”

What?

I stared at him, completely and utterly stunned.His words settled over me like a weight.

“Why?” was the only thing I could manage.