Page 84 of Vows of Silence

“But this is nice, though, isn’t it? Having all these options. It really makes you appreciate how fortunate we are, doesn’t it? Maybe we should donate our leftovers. Do you know the name of the local food bank?”

Does.

He.

Know.

The.

Name.

Of.

A.

Food.

Bank.

Jesus Christ, I was losing it. And I couldn’t seem to stop myself. I was babbling away, my voice rising to something bordering on hysteria, my entire face flaming.

And still, all I could think about was that throbbing. That heat. That—

Silas’s hands covered my own, his fingers curling around mine tight enough that I gasped, dropping the spoon.

It was only then that I realised I had been scooping spoon after spoon of sugar into my tea the entire time I'd been speaking.

“Oh my God,” I whispered. “I hope you weren’t planning on anything to drink. It seems captivity has made me develop a sweet tooth.”

A sharp huff escaped beneath the mask.

Laughter.

Actual laughter.

No fucking way!

For some absolutely insane reason, I wanted to hear that laugh again. I picked up the spoon and stirred the sugar into the tea, before bringing the cup to my lips and taking a sip.

“Mmm,” I said, shaking my head against the overwhelming sweetness. “Just how I like it.”

Another rise and fall of his shoulders, and then he busied himself, picking up another cup and pouring a fresh brew, silently handing it to me.

“Thank you,” I murmured, my fingers brushing against his leather gloves.

I wish he would remove them so I can finally feel him properly.

The thought almost had me dropping my tea.

The mask tilted again, as though he were capable of reading my mind and knew exactly where my thoughts had gone.

And then, with the lightest of touches, he placed his fingers on my elbow and gently pushed my arm upwards.

Drink.

I wrapped both hands around the warm mug, mostly because it gave me something else to focus on besides the unbearable awareness between us, and took another sip—this one far better than the monstrosity I had made for myself.

“Mmm,” I breathed with a genuine moan this time. “God, that’s good.”