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The undying affection I was sure had to be evident in my gaze. A fucking gutting need right below it.

Something that became more severe every day.

After this morning, I was worried it’d become a living, thriving thing.

I turned away, hoping that putting my back to her would staunch the desire that assailed my senses as I swung onto my bike.

No such luck.

Elena’s presence still consumed.

A tidal wave from where she shifted at the side of my bike, waiting the way she knew to do as my hand curled around the handlebars. I hooked the heel of my boot to the starter, rose up a fraction from the seat, then rammed my foot down to kick it over.

I pulled back on the throttle as the engine roared to life. A low, powerful vibration echoed through the air and undulated through my body.

The earthquake only amplified as Elena swung over and wrapped herself around me.

Delicate arms and warm body and a boatload of temptation.

The cargo so heavy it was enough to sink me to the bottom of the ocean.

That dress rode high up her thighs, the soft flesh of her legs exposed where she tucked them around the outside of mine.

They trembled a fraction like maybe she was stuck on what happened this morning, too.

I didn’t want her to be embarrassed or ashamed.

Didn’t want her to think that it didn’t have an effect on me.

Hell, I wanted to confess that I groaned her name when I was turned on in my sleep, too.

At least, that was the hard, bitter truth whenever I had my cock in my fist in those felonious moments when I couldn’t get her off my mind and had to give myself relief.

In the moments when my obsession boiled over.

I couldn’t do that, either.

All of this shit was supposed to be innocent.

My job.

But her mere touch sent a shockwave of greed blistering through every one of my senses.

“You good?” I asked around the knot in my throat.

Elena let go of a chuckle that I felt more than heard. “I know the drill. Do you have so little faith in me? Besides, I had a really good teacher.”

It was all a sweet taunt.

I let go of a huff. “Just need to be sure you’re safe, Elena.”

Her arms tightened and she locked her hands flat against my abdomen. “I’m always safe with you, Heathen.”

It was a soft puff of air that she injected directly into my soul.

I couldn’t say anything, so I used my boots to back us out of the spot, and my attention roamed over the area again, making sure everything was in order before I slowly eased us across the lot.

I looked to my left to make sure it was clear.