Free The Undoing of de Luca by Kate Hewitt Page A

replied evenly. ‘If you don’t ice it, it will bruise.’
    ‘I can handle a bruise.’
    ‘Why are you so touchy?’ Larenz murmured. That sleepy, hooded look Ellery was beginning to know well—and to both dread and desire—had come into his eyes, turning them a deep glinting navy. ‘Besides, I know for a fact there’s a big bag of peas in your chest freezer. I saw it last night when you so thoughtfully fetched me some ice.’ He smiled and Ellery’s heart turned over. Or squeezed. Or something, making it suddenly rather hard to breathe.
    Larenz moved to the freezer, opening it and rifling through the contents before emerging with a bag of peas. ‘There. Plonk that on your shoulder for a bit.’
    It would be easier, Ellery knew, to simply give in. If she iced her shoulder for a few minutes, perhaps then Larenz would leave her alone. Although half of her—more than half—didn’t want him to leave her alone. A good, and growing, part of her wanted him to stay…and more. So much more. She couldn’t deny the insistent need spiralling deep within her, pushing away any thoughts of regret or betrayal.
    She swallowed and looked away. ‘Fine,’ she said and grabbed the bag of peas, pressing it against her shoulder. It was hard to do without wrenching her other shoulder, not to mention looking entirely awkward and, seeing this, Larenz took the bag from her. ‘Why don’t I do it?’ he murmured.
    ‘No—’
    ‘Are you worried I’ll kiss you again?’ His words were no more than a breath against her ear as he leaned down to press the bag of peas against her shoulder; his head was bent so his jaw was no more than a whisper away from Ellery’s own lips. And, just like that, the mood in the room changed, awareness replacing annoyance, the atmosphere more charged than ever before.
    ‘I wouldn’t say worried,’ Ellery managed. She moved her head back, away from the temptation of Larenz’s skin. Her heart slammed against her chest and her mouth had turned bone-dry. She was conscious of Larenz’s breath feathering her cheek. No, she wasn’t worried. She was wanting.
    Wanting him.
    She felt desire pool languidly in her limbs, felt her body and mind soften and open into possibility. At that moment she didn’t know why Larenz affected her so much, why her body responded in such a basic and overwhelming way to his. She didn’t care. All she knew was that she did want him to kiss her again, and more, and she was so very tired of fighting it. Her body acted of its own accord, leaning into him, her senses straining once more for his touch. He was so close; she could brush her lips against the warm, rough skin of his jaw and it would practically be an accident…
    The kettle began to whistle shrilly, and Ellery jerked back as if it had actually scalded her. The bag of peas fell to the floor, splitting open so the peas rolled everywhere.
    Larenz glanced down in bemusement. ‘Oh, dear.’
    Ellery turned off the stove, her back to him, her blood and heart pumping far too fast. That had been close. So very, very close…
    ‘Why were you in the barn, Ellery?’
    ‘Would you like a cup of tea?’ She turned around, the tin of tea held to her chest like a shield.
    Larenz smiled and shrugged. ‘I don’t usually have tea at this time of night, but why not? Especially if there is a drop of brandy to go with it. You could use some, I’m sure.’
    ‘There’s a bottle somewhere,’ Ellery mumbled, turning back to the kettle. Larenz moved closer.
    ‘Why were you in the barn?’
    ‘I told you, I was checking up on things,’ Ellery replied stiffly. She reached for two mugs and her hand trembled. ‘Why do you care?’
    Larenz didn’t answer for a long moment—long enough for Ellery to pour the tea and hand him his mug. She stared at him, surprised at the way his eyes had darkened with shadows, the angles of his face suddenly seeming harsh.
    ‘I don’t know why I care,’ he finally said thoughtfully. ‘I’ve been asking