Page 27 of Unspoken Love

He was talking again, pointing to where he wanted to expand the deck and maybe add a pergola or a hot tub.

She nodded, barely hearing the words over the pounding in her ears.

“Faye?”

She blinked. He was looking at her now, that small crease in his brow that showed up when he was concerned, or curious.

“Are you okay,” he asked with a frown.

She forced a smile. “Yeah. Just kind of overwhelmed by how beautiful it is here.”

His expression softened, and his gaze dropped to her mouth for the briefest moment, causing hope to spike. “It’s just a start,” he said quietly.

Before her heart could jump in her chest or her mind could reject the idea, she leaned up on her toes and placed her lips on his.

What was she doing?

She should stop. Why couldn’t she stop herself from continuing the kiss?

It wasn’t until she felt his hands on her waist that she relaxed into his chest and enjoyed the way his mouth moved over hers.

He was kissing her back!

What did that mean?

Then his tongue dipped into her mouth and she stopped questioning, stopped thinking altogether.

He felt so good. His hard chest was against hers and his arms wrapped around her. He tasted like sex and desire. She couldn’t get enough of him.

“Faye,” he said, pulling back suddenly. Instantly, she missed the feel of him against her and swayed enough that he kept his hands on her waist to hold her steady. “I didn’t meant to…” He pulled back a whole step as he ran his hands through his hair.

Her heart rate had skyrocketed due to the kiss and now her heartbeat was causing her head to throb and her vision to blur.

Nate turned away from her and paced on the old deck a few steps away while she desperately tried to steady herself.

“Shit, are you okay?” His voice broke into her thoughts suddenly.

When she opened her eyes, she realized she was doubled over and holding onto the side of her head where her implant was.

“Does it hurt?” he asked when she straightened.

“Only sometimes,” she said, feeling embarrassed.

It was obvious to her now that he regretted kissing her. Heat flooded into her face as she grew more embarrassed than she’d ever been in her life.

She shook her head and avoided his eyes. “I better go.” She turned to leave, but he stopped her by gently taking her arm.

“I want nothing more than to carry you inside and finish what you started.” His voice was low. So deep that she had to strain to hear him. “Faye,” he said when she turned back toward him, her eyes glued to his mouth for fear that she’d miss his next words.

“I get it,” she broke in before he could say anything else.

“No, I don’t think you do.” He took her hand in his, stopping her once more from running away. Then, without saying anything more, he rested his forehead on hers. They stood there for a moment in silence as the moonlight and lights from the stars replaced the sunlight.

“I can be myself around you,” he said when he finally leaned back.

She narrowed her eyes slightly. “Is that bad?”

The edges of his lips curled up slightly. “No.” He sighed. “I wish it was. It scares me a little, but…” He shook his head.