Chapter 77: Dixie

Dixie glanced down at their joined hands now resting on his thigh. His other arm was braced on the sofa behind her head. He'd leaned in so far it felt as though he were sheltering her from the world, putting himself between her and some unseen threat.

When Benjamin was there, she felt safe. And other things she shouldn't feel about her friend's older brother. But there they were.

"Dix?" he murmured.

"Sure. It's okay." Except her mouth was dry. Parched. And it was becoming hard to breathe.

He released her hand, leaving it sitting on his thigh, and cupped her cheek, turning her face toward him.

"And now?" he whispered.

This wasn't the touch of a friend.

Her insides quivered, half telling her to run while the other half wanted to crawl into his lap.

"It's fine," she whispered.

The hand at her cheek slid back, his fingers curling around the back of her head, tugging her gently.

Oh, God...