Maria’s POV.
My pulse stuttered. “You… you can’t do what?” I whispered.
“Pretend.” His eyes locked on mine, his green burning. “Pretend I don’t want to kiss you. Pretend I don’t want to rip that sexy dress off your body. Pretend I don’t want to drain every bit of strength from you while I take you… until you can’t breathe without me.”
My breath caught.
“It’s killing me, sitting here, acting like I don’t want to take you home- our home- like I don’t want to fall asleep with your scent all over me.” His voice dropped lower, rawer. “You have to help me out here, M. I’m losing my mind.”
“Elias…” My voice broke into a whimper. My fists balled in my dress, my heartbeat slamming against my ribs.
“Just say the word,” he murmured, almost pleading now. “And I’ll do it. Anything you want.”
He
