Inarticulate by Eden Summers

were taking this thing between them a step further.
    She was going to get to know him, at least physically, and if Penny found out it would put all the Rydel Seattle staff in jeopardy. More than they already were.
    It was a lot of weight to place on Savannah’s shoulders, all in the name of sex.
    She gripped her cloth napkin and twisted it in her hands to remove the sweat from her palms. She didn’t plan on advertising her involvement with him. Dominic already disapproved, and she didn’t know anyone else in Seattle.
    She could keep it discreet.
    She totally could.
    Her chest pounded in protest and she heaved out a breath to dislodge the ache. In slow motion, Keenan’s hand glided over hers, squeezing a dose of support into her being. She met the question in his gaze and couldn’t help the way her heart climbed into her throat at the sight of him.
    He knew something was wrong.
    “I’m nervous.” Admitting the truth didn’t alleviate the awkwardness. In fact, it increased it. “I’m worried what will happen if Penny finds out.”
    His brow furrowed. It wasn’t in anger or resentment. There was a hint of regret to it. A softness that spoke of apology.
    He turned her hand over and began to trail his fingers along the lines of her palm. Such a simple gesture, and yet the sensation ricocheted right through her. It tickled and titillated. Soothed and stung. Every single part of her was humming with life.
    They sat in silence that was no longer uncomfortable. She took her time to appreciate all the little things she hadn’t noticed before. Like the way his eyes told a tale. Those gray depths were descriptive, speaking louder than words. She could see how he was mesmerized with her. Intrigued. The same way she was with him.
    And his mouth—oh, boy, his mouth. The way his tongue snaked out to moisten his lips, the slow, confident lethargy of the movement. And his smile. She sighed at the visual pleasure of him.
    “You make me wonder what’s going on in that mind of yours.”
    His gradually building smirk said it all. There were dirty things driving his thought process and she wanted to be involved in every single one of them.
    She lowered her focus to the table and chuckled. “I wish you could tell me. It’s frustrating not being able to have a con…ver…” Her gaze snapped to his as she realized what she was about to say. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.” Dread settled over her, along with shame that heated her cheeks.
    Her apology came too late, he’d already stiffened, his shoulders broad, his chin stubbornly high as he pulled his hand from hers.
    She hadn’t meant what she said… On second thought, she had. It was frustrating being unable to hold a conversation with him when her mind wanted to hear all his secrets at once. Only she hadn’t realized how ignorant and insensitive her insult was until it echoed in her ears. “I just mean, I’d love to be able to talk with you.”
    The narrowed disgust of his eyes stabbed through her. She’d done it again, adding more heartless fuel to the blazing fire.
    “It’s not criticism.” Okay, that’s exactly what it was. It was rude and harsh and entirely unforgiving. Word by word, she was digging a hole and burying herself. “I’m sorry.”
    His smile was feral as a scoff fell from his lips. He stood, his chair abruptly screeching against the tile. She sat in shock as he pulled his wallet from the back pocket of his pants and dumped cash on the table.
    “Keenan.” He couldn’t be serious. They hadn’t even touched their bread, the main meal was still to be cooked. He couldn’t leave. He had to give her a chance to make it right. Or was he really that sensitive? “ Please , sit down.”
    They were gaining an audience. People were looking, judging her, but nowhere near as harshly as Keenan was with the sneer curling his lip. He flipped the black leather closed and shoved his chair under the table. He didn’t meet her gaze again and she was thankful.