Page 41 of Carte

“You didn’t come in last night?” My words sounded like an accusation. Hell, they were an accusation.

His brows creased, and a muscle in his jaw pulsed, “Come in where?”

“In the living room. While I was playing.”

Carter’s eyes bore into mine as if he was trying to read my mind, “It sounded like you needed to be alone.”

“No, it sounded like I was singing for you.”

Carter looked like I slapped him, but soon longing washed over him so strong I had to fight to breathe.

He put his plate down on the counter next to him, and moved towards me.

I was waiting, holding my breath, scared even to breathe, not wanting to spook him like he was some kind of wild animal.

He came to a stop in front of me. His gaze tracking my face, and zeroing in on my mouth.

God, was this it?

Was he finally going to kiss me?

I wanted to touch him, wanted his kiss so bad, I could almost weep.

My heart beat a new rhythm in my chest, one that screamed his name branding it against my ribs.

A beep sounded and Carter closed his eyes firmly, jerking back and taking a few steps away, until he bumped into the kitchen island behind him.

He reached over, took his mug and a sip of coffee and only then did he look at me.

There was nothing in his eyes when he glanced at me, nothing but coldness that chilled me to my bones, “Don’t do that, Dynamo. Don’t sing for me. I’m the last person on this Earth who deserves your light. My place is in the shadows.”

He didn’t wait for my answer. He turned, went to the counter and picked up his phone, and walked away firmly closing himself into his office. But the image of Carter’s longing was all I could see in my mind. It was an answer to all my questions. Sure, he felt the same. But there was no chance in hell that anything would ever happen. He wouldn’t take that first step. And with the way I was burned, there was no chance of me doing the same, no matter how much I craved him. I just had to live with that truth.

It would make for good lyrics at least.

Chapter Ten

Carter

Gray blue, impossibly big, eyes were taunting me whenever I closed mine making sleep impossible. That spark of longing, of lust swirling in their depths called to me. I closed my eyes, rubbing them in the vain attempt of chasing away the memory to no use.

I just knew that the image of Harley standing in my kitchen, her eyes looking up into mine, her full lips with that perfect cupid’s bow right there for me to take would haunt me for years to come.

I almost caved. It would be so easy, leaning down and tasting her lips, like breathing. All it would take would be just a small tilt of my head down, and I would finally know if her lips tasted sweet like they promised they would.

I threw the covers off me, sat up, and threw my legs over the side of the bed. I needed to do something that would chase the image away even for just a few hours.

I knew there was no way I would get any rest tonight. I was too amped up, too restless. Lust was swirling inside me, and if I wasn’t careful I would end up in Harley’s bed.

I never had a problem with self-control before. Never even thought about crossing that line. A job was a job, and the client was out of reach. Always. And when I had time, I could easily find a willing partner for the night, or even a weekend. After that I would walk away without even a backwards glance.

There were no games, no heartfelt conversations, no longing looks. Just a good time between the sheets, and then we both went our separate ways.

Just thinking about that had my gut churning. All it left me with was a deep feeling of nothingness. And loneliness. I couldn’t even try to think about going out and finding someone who was willing to share my bed for a night without a stab of pain in the left side of my chest. And the only thing that it intensified was my need to know how Harley’s mouth would taste, how soft her skins would be, and wonder if her hair would feel good gliding over me as it promised.

I got up, and went across the room, rotating both my shoulders to ease the tension that gathered in them.

Sliding the tip of my finger across the mouse tab, I brought the laptop up from sleep.