Page 321 of Axis of Fire

“At my adoptive parents' house, you said you were physically attracted to me...” I began, only to be cut off by the icy edge of his voice.

“I remember every word I said in that house.”

His gaze darkened instantly.

And with eyes that color...

Darkness somehow looked even more dangerous.

“And I regret saying it that way.

I chose the wrong words.”

“I don't care whether you chose the wrong words or not.” My voice sharpened. “You said what you felt. And now I'm telling you what I've decided.”

“I'm not touching you until I know I can have more than just your body.”

I froze.

Frowning.

“Then what else do you want?”

God.

Sometimes I understood him far too little.

Far too often.

He didn't answer immediately.

It looked as though something inside him was holding him back.

Forcing him to stay silent.

Forcing him to keep every wall standing.

That war inside him felt painfully familiar.

We were disastrously different...

Yet somehow imprisoned by the same fear.

Damn it.

“Everything,” he finally said.

Within seconds, my heart abandoned all reason, imagining far too much.

My mind, however, still waited for him to finish.

“Don't speak in riddles.

I hate them.”

He took one step toward me.

Then another.