Page 59 of Dark Sold Mate

Elle gasped when his fingers found bare skin, when they traced higher and higher until—

Silas drew back, his green eyes dark with hunger. “You’re not wearing any panties.”

“I forgot,” Elle said, averting her gaze.

That was a lie. She did not forget. She chose not to this morning because some crazy part of her wanted this.

“You forgot to wear underwear,” he deadpanned.

Elle shrugged, trying to seem indifferent despite the way her nipples puckered against her dress. “It happens.”

Silas moved his hand further up and tightened his grip. “Fuck,” he dropped his forehead against the wall. “You’re trying to kill me.”

“I’m not.”

“You are.” Silas’s hand gripped her ass, kneading the flesh, pulling her flush against his hard length. “Walking around bare underneath. Looking at me like that. Kissing me like you want me to fuck you right here against this wall.”

Elle’s breath hitched. “Maybe I do.”

Silas made a half-laugh, half-growl sound. “We’re in public, Elle.”

“So?”

“So I am not going to fuck you in an alley where anybody can see. When I have you again—and I will have you again—it will be somewhere I can have you in multiple positions. Somewhere I can make you scream my name as loud as you want.”

Heat flooded Elle’s body. “That’s not fair.”

“What’s not fair?”

“Talking like that and not acting on it.”

His mouth slanted into a decidedly wicked smirk. “Patience, mate. Waiting is good character development.”

He kissed her again. This time, slowly, while squeezing and kneading her ass, rubbing her against him in a rhythm that had Elle gasping.

When they eventually broke apart, still gasping, Silas leaned his forehead against hers. “That was not the kiss of a man who is interested in anybody else. It was the kiss of a man who is totally devoted to his mate. Who is always thinking of her. Who desires nothing more than to bring her home and show her how much he wants her.”

“Silas—”

“I was not flirting with Meredith. Neither was I playing along. I was trying to help you.” He lifted his hand and softly caressed her face. “You are the only woman I want, Elle. The only one.”

Elle didn’t know what to say. She should have been terrified by this admission, but it made her feel good. It was nice to be desired and wanted like this.

“Come on,” Silas said, and took a step back, extending his hand. “Let’s go get those books. And maybe some other things.”

“Other things?”

“Clothes. Food. Whatever you want.” He smiled. “I want to spoil you, Elle. Let me.”

Elle took his hand. “Okay. But we are going underwear shopping.”

Silas chuckled heartily. “Whatever you say, mate. But, by the way, I vote that you forget them more.”

Elle swatted his arm with a smile. It was the first time Elle felt anything other than anger, frustration, or fear since she had come back.

She felt happy.

She knew it wouldn’t last. There was a lot of history between them. Too much pain and trauma to overcome.