Page 17 of Symphony for Lies (Tangled Truths #2)

He chuckled, grabbing my wrist to pull me toward him with ease.

A warm pulse shot through me at the contact. My stomach fluttered. Every single fiber in my body was telling me to say no. To walk away. But that damn feeling. That annoying, exhilarating, untamed feeling in my chest kept me rooted. Trapped somewhere between hesitation and intrigue.

“You can trust me.”

I sighed heavily, reluctantly taking the helmet.

Zane smirked.

I slipped it on, fastening the straps. “Where are we going?”

Zane’s eyes glinted mischievously behind his helmet’s visor.“Surprise.”

I hesitated, and that proved to be a big mistake.

He took my hesitation as an opportunity, effortlessly grabbing me by the waist and hoisting me onto the bike.

I gasped, “Zane!”

“Relax.” His hands released me, moving to the handlebars. “Hold on tight.”

I gripped the metal handles behind me.

Zane hummed in amusement, “Better idea.”

Before I could stop him, he wrapped my arms around his waist instead. Suddenly, I was pressed flush against his back. I could feel everything.The steady rise and fall of his chest, the warmth radiating through his clothes, and the solidness of his muscles under my fingertips.

A rush of heat shot up my body, my pulse slamming against my ribs.

“Trust me, this will be fun. And I’ll drive carefully.”

“Drive slowly,” I corrected.

Zane didn’t let go until he was sure I wouldn’t pull away. “Slow and careful,” he murmured, grabbing the handlebars.

The engine roared to life, and everything seemed to tremble, the bike, the road, him.

Wind whipped past us, cold and crisp, but his warmth struck me the hardest.

Every slight movement and every breath of his vibrated through me.

I should have been scared.Not of the speed but of the way my stomach fluttered.That feeling, that strange, exhilarating rush, was far more dangerous than anything else.

I loosened my grip around his waist slightly, creating a small gap between us. Cold air rushed into the space, but at least I could tilt my head and look at the passing city.

Streetlights blurred into streaks of gold. The buildings and trees raced by like ghosts. The town felt different at night, like a melody played on an old record, something haunting yet familiar.

The wind should have erased all scents, but it didn’t.

The faint smell of gasoline mixed with Zane’s cologne mixed into something that made me dizzy in a way that had nothing to do with the ride.

It seeped into my helmet and tangled with the night air.

Was it the wind stealing my breath? Or was it him?

A hand on my thigh dragged me from my spiraling thoughts. It was just resting there as if he was making sure I wouldn’t slip.

The second he made contact, I forgot how to breathe. Heat flooded my skin, chasing away the chill.

Without thinking, I inched closer again, and Zane slowly, almost reluctantly, withdrew his hand.

I closed my eyes for a brief moment, trying to steady my racing pulse, and leaned my head against his shoulder.

My grip on his waist loosened slightly as I gazed at the road ahead.

I didn’t know how much time passed, how many streets, buildings, and minutes slipped by.

I just… let myself feel it. Let myself enjoy the quiet hum of the night. Let myself forget, just for a little while.

“You ride like someone who’s used to running away.” I wasn’t sure if I meant it as a joke, but Zane laughed softly anyway.

“Maybe I am.”

I should’ve been surprised, but I wasn’t.

He was like the ocean. Unpredictable. Uncontrolled. And yet, somehow, a part of me wanted him to pull me under.

Eventually, Zane pulled up in front of my home. No lights were on inside.

Even my neighbor’s house, which always glowed with a warm golden hue until late at night, was dark.

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.

Zane’s grin returned. His other hand gripped my waist, pulling me in and pressing me so close that not even a breath of space remained between us.

My heart pounded violently as I tried to control my breathing, but it was impossible. The air between us was thick and intoxicating.

“Do you really think you’re not worth the effort?”

My brows shot up. I couldn’t answer that.

“And then there are men like that officer… or Tristan.” His voice dripped with mockery.“And suddenly, they think they have the right to be close to you.”

I blinked, caught off guard, but Zane didn’t give me time to think.

“I don’t care who they are. I don’t care who thinks they deserve a place in your life.”His gaze dropped to my lips just for a second before his dark eyes locked onto mine again.“Because I don’t wait for others to step aside.”

My breath hitched.

“I take what I want.”

Heat coiled deep in my stomach. His lips were a mere breath away from mine.

“And what I want… I’ve known for a while now.”

Completely lost in his stare, I remained frozen ashe let go of my neck and lifted my hand to his lips. He placed the lightest of kisses on my skin. A whisper of warmth. A touch so fleeting, yet so devastating.

Zane’s lips curled slightly. “Looks like I’ll have to do more to seduce you. But for tonight…” He exhaled against my skin. “…I’ll let you go.”

I was speechless.

He stepped back.“I’ll pick you up tomorrow. So, we can solve your little riddle.”Even as he said he’d let go, he still had a hold of my waist. “You’ll be at work?”

I nodded foolishly, still thrown off everything that had just happened.

“What time do you finish? ”

“Three p.m.” The answer came out too breathless.

“Good.” His fingers finally let go.

I stood there staring at him, confused and overwhelmed. Still feeling his phantom touch.

Zane’s grin widened just slightly.

He knew. He knew exactly what he was doing to me.

Without another word, I turned to escape into my house.

The second the door shut behind me, I released a shaky breath. My hands touched my warm cheeks, desperate to cool the rising heat.

Why did he say those things? Why did he look at me like that? Why? No, I knew why. I just didn’t know what to do about it!

With a frustrated groan, I grabbed my phone and scrolled through my unread messages.

And waiting at the top was one from Mrs. Cole.

Confused, I tapped on it.

And just like that, reality slammed into me like ice-cold water.

Mrs. Cole:

Simon told me the police were at the school, but he wasn’t sure what happened. I expect an immediate explanation. And before you even think about making excuses, I know Zane was with you.

You seem to forget your place.

Playing around with my son is one thing, but setting your sight on Zane? That ’ s crossing the line.

Stay away from him.

He is not someone you can compete with, not in this life or our family.

Let me be clear: whatever fantasy you’ve built in your head, it won’t happen. Stick to your duties and stay away from my son.