Riot

“I don’t have any pets,” I say, not even sure why I’m telling him this. “I’ve always wanted a cat.”

“Even a three-legged one?”

I snort. “Why is he missing one?”

He shrugs. “Don’t know. An accident, maybe? He was hurt when I found him. I think kids abused him.”

“That’s awful.”

“Doesn’t prevent him from doing anything he wants, though. He climbs up my body to my shoulder every day.”

“He does?”

“I just need to make sure he bypasses my crotch.” He makes a face, and of course my gaze drops down between his legs, to the bulge there.

My breath catches.

Because it’s not that I don’t want and desire and need him. My body gets tight and hot when I see a sexy man, and Riot is...God, he’s sex on legs. My mind says, yes yes yes, do it, and I give in, I lean closer, I touch…

And the memories crash over me, take me under.

I hop to my feet, take a few steps away from the bed as if it has vipers coiling on top of it.

“Pax?” He takes a deep breath, lets it out. “Take off your coat.”

I swallow, glance at the door. Riot won’t hurt me. He can’t. He’ll lose his job. There’s that, right? Besides, it’s warm in here.

“We can just talk, if you like,” he says, his voice low and even. “And you can let me hold your hand.”

Harmless. Just talking.

I unbuckle the belt and take off my coat, drop it on top of his jacket on the armchair.

“Come here.” Riot pats the bed by his side. “Tell me about yourself. Your studies, your work, your family. Whatever you like.”

“I can’t do this,” I whisper.

“Yes, you can.” He sounds so sure of it, I sink down beside him automatically. “Your hand.”

He waits until I place it on his palm. His fingers curl over mine, gentle.

So close. Closer than we were the first time on the bed, closer than we were in my car, our legs touching.

“I...I study.” I have to cough, clear my throat.

“What then?”

“Psychology.”

“Well, this should be interesting,” he mutters, flashing me that dimpled grin, and tugs on my hand until we fall backward on the bed. We lie there, staring at the ceiling, our hands clasped together, tucked in the space between our bodies, and he folds his other arm under his head. “So what’s your professional opinion? Give it to me straight. Am I as crazy as I seem to think?”

Chapter Six

Riot

She giggles again. I fucking love the sound, like cascading water or crystals tinkling. I look at her out of the corner of my eye, lying there beside me. She’s the most relaxed I’ve seen her so far.

“You don’t think I’m crazy?” I prod. “Insane?”