Page 119 of Elite Metal: Warriors

“Yes?”

She blew out a breath and her bangs fluffed up. “I’m not good at this.”

“Neither am I.” Probably. Whatever it was.

“Okay. It’s like this. I…well…”

He decided to help her. “You want to fuck me.”

He had no idea why she frowned at him. “Of course I want to fuck you.”

Excellent. He smiled. “I want to fuck you too.”

“But it’s more than that.”

A shiver ran down his spine. Yeah. His feelings were way beyond that too, but he didn’t think he was ready to admit that. “Okay…”

She raked her hair and it fluttered down in a transfixing cascade. “I don’t understand this.”

“Understand what?” Though he knew. It was as though she was speaking for him. The thought was frightening.

“This. This feeling. This…hunger I have for you.”

Well, hell. He stared down at his shoes, unsure what to say. She was coming right at it, not dancing around it as he was so used to doing. He knew she was fearless, but had never expected she would be fearless about something this raw. It took some effort, but he kept his expression blasé and noncommittal.

“I think about you all the time. Fantasize about kissing you…and more. I want to grab you whenever you’re near.”

“That’s lust, honey.” It was a joke, but a rusty one.

She scowled at him. “You make me do things, think things, want things I’ve never even considered before. I don’t understand it.”

“And?”

Her frown deepened. She studied him for a long moment. “And? Is that all you have to say?”

“What would you like me to say?”

“I’d like to know if I’m all alone here.” It was clear the words were hard for her to say. The hope and pain and worry were there in her eyes.

Something prickled at his nape. His pulse kicked up. But he forced a smile and glanced around the bathroom. “We’re here together. It’s a small room. I figured you’d notice.”

He knew he was being an ass, he knew he was avoiding the issue, but honestly, this conversation was unlike any conversation he’d ever had with a woman. To be frank, he wasn’t quite sure what was going on. Or he was, and the thought spooked him. His feelings for her were beyond anything he’d ever felt before. But he knew what kind of man he was, and he knew he wasn’t good enough for her. He knew there could never be anything between them. They were too different.

It would be courting disaster to ignore that.

“So it’s just sex for you?” Her voice was hard, cold, but there was a quiver in there too.

He stared at her, torn.

A part of him wanted to yank her into his arms and kiss the ever-loving hell out of her, to tell her he was confused too, he wanted something that was beyond him as well…but the words wouldn’t come.

After a moment, she nodded. “Okay. Thanks for being honest.”

There was nothing honest about him.

Without another word, she opened the door and slipped away. Something in his soul howled. He wanted to snatch her back. Hold her. Kiss her.

But it was too late.