You Looked Down on Me Once, Now You Look Up. novel Chapter 145

The car was tight, every inch filled with the heat of their bodies and the deep, woody scent of red wine curling through the air. Patricia felt cornered by it all, her instincts screaming for distance.

But when she looked down, Oliver’s gaze pinned her in place. She couldn’t move, couldn’t even think of escape. Turning just a little, her knee brushed his. The touch sent a bolt of awareness straight through her.

Patricia tried to steady her voice. “Right here, between the thumb and finger.”

Oliver didn’t hesitate, tracing his fingers gently over the spot she’d shown him, rubbing slow, lazy circles that made her shoulders finally start to relax.

Then, just as she thought she’d regained her composure, his lips brushed the sensitive skin between her thumb and finger. Heat shot up her arm, sharp and tingling, leaving goosebumps in its wake.

Patricia’s breath came up short. Her heart was all over the place, beating wild and erratic, like a fish leaping out of the water and crashing back down.

“Oliver…” she managed, her voice barely there.

His lips pressed softly against her skin, then he gave a playful, gentle bite. She gasped, a shiver running down her spine.

Oliver looked up, his thumb tracing light circles where he’d just kissed. His eyes were dark and hungry, voice low and rough. “Pattie, we’re husband and wife.”

“I know,” she whispered back.

“Husbands and wives are supposed to be a team.”

“I’m scared,” Patricia admitted, almost too quietly to hear.

“What are you afraid of?”

“My place isn’t as high as yours. I married you because I wanted something. It wasn’t pure. The more you’re good to me, the more I feel like I don’t deserve it.” She couldn’t hide her shame, not from him.

Patricia always knew where her lines were, what she’d never forgive. But with Oliver, she just couldn’t bring herself to hurt him, no matter what.

He reached for her hand, voice softer now. “I treat you well because you deserve it. You’re worth it, Pattie. You can be unsure about anything else, but not about this.”

Oliver never let her hide, not from herself. “If you want something from me, I’m lucky. Honestly. If a man gives a woman nothing to want, or is scared she might, that’s just sad.”

She couldn’t find the words to answer.

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