Page 42 of Close Your Eyes

And with one text my pep talk reminding me to stay away from Ledger dissolves. I type back as quickly as possible, trying my best not to seem too eager in front of my father.

I’ll show you tonight.

I know this is forward, but…I can’t stop thinking about you. About the way you smell. The way you looked in that dress. I can’t get the image out of my head. I just wanted you to know.

All the air is whooshed out of my lungs, and I try desperately not to look affected.

“Everything okay?” my father asks, returning to his computer.

I push my phone into my pocket, my heart beating out of control. “Fine.” I move away from the table. “I just have to use the bathroom.”

My father nods, and I rush out of the room, heading down the hallway.

As soon as I’m inside the confines of the bathroom, I let out a deep breath. I reread Ledger’s message over and over, a need pulsing through me.

I type him back.

I can’t stop thinking about you either.

I can’t believe I just wrote that, but there’s no taking it back. It’s out there.

It’s delivered.

There’s no turning back.

This is so wrong. I’m so sorry. I know you’re engaged. It’s just I don’t know how to stop wanting to touch you.

I want to tell him not to stop. To think about me as much as I think about him. To have the same thoughts I have.

To want me as badly as I want him.

But I can’t say that, can I?

I’m going to hell. I push my phone back into my pocket, unable to respond. I need to return to my prison, back to Bane.

Chapter 15

Ledger

I hold my breath as I wait for her to respond. It’s been nearly fifteen minutes, and no response. I toss my phone across the room, and scream.

I pace my condo, my pulse racing with this insane want for her.

“You can’t have her you asshole,” I shout out to nobody around. “Fuck.”

Last night at the club my resolve almost broke. I almost crossed that line and kissed her, and I know I can’t do that.

But I don’t know how I’ll be able to sit in a room with her and not kiss her.

It’s not even sexual at this point. I want to be the man that takes care of her. I want to make sure she’s safe twenty-four seven.

Not Bane and his men.

They can’t be trusted.

I need to keep her safe, but how?

She told me once that she always visits her father on Sundays. I glance at the clock on the wall. She’s probably there now.