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“Thanks for stepping up and reasoning with the officer,” Annabelle said. “I just couldn’t get him to understand my urgency.”
“You’re welcome.”
“You know, you’re not such a bad guy to have around.”
His voice grew deep and gentle. “Is that your way of saying you’d like me to stay for the heritage festival?”
“Maybe.” Did her voice sound as breathless to him as it did to her?
His head lifted and their gazes met. There was something different about the way he looked at her. And then it struck her with the force of an electrical surge—there was desire reflected in his gaze. He wanted her.
It was like a switch had been turned on and she was fully aware of the attraction arcing between them. Annabelle had never felt anything so vital and stirring with anyone else in her life. Maybe she’d led a more sheltered life than she’d ever imagined. Sure there had been other men, but those relationships had never had this sort of spark and soon they fizzled out.
With them kneeling down on the floor side by side, their faces were only mere inches apart. Did he have any idea what his close proximity did to her heart rate, not to mention her common sense?
His gaze dipped to her mouth and the breath hitched in her throat. Was he going to kiss her? And was it wrong that she wanted him to?
Not waiting for him to make up his mind, she leaned forward, pressing her lips to his. If this was too bold, she didn’t care. She’d been cautious all of her life, while her brother had been reckless. If she wanted things to change, then she had to change them, by taking more chances.
His lips were smooth and warm. Yet, he was hesitant. His mouth didn’t move against hers. Oh, no! Had she read everything wrong?
Her problem was her lack of experience. She hadn’t gotten out enough. She didn’t know how to read men. Here she’d been thinking that he desired her and the thought had probably never crossed his mind. She was such a fool.
She started to pull back when his hand reached up, cupping her cheek. Her heart jumped into her throat. Then again, maybe she had been right. As he deepened the kiss, her heart thump-thumped. He did want her. And she most definitely wanted him.
Her hands slid up over his muscled shoulders and wrapped around the back of his neck. All the while, his thumb stroked her cheek, sending the most delicious sensations to her very core, heating it up and melting it down.
She didn’t know where this was headed and she didn’t care. The only thing that mattered was the here and now. And the here and now was quite delicious. Quite addictive—
Footsteps echoed in the hallway. Annabelle recalled leaving the door wide open.
She yanked back. Grayson let her go. It was as though they both realized that what was happening here wasn’t practical. They came from different worlds and worse yet, they were involved in a business deal. She couldn’t lose her focus.
Annabelle averted her gaze as she ran a shaky hand over her now tender lips. How could she face him again after she’d initiated that kiss—that soul-stirring kiss?
She glanced down at the mess still on the floor. Focus on anything but how good that kiss had been. Annabelle began picking up the papers when there was a knock at the door. She glanced up. “Come in.”
A member of her uncle’s staff appeared, holding a tray of food. “Excuse me, ma’am. The king asked that this tray be brought to you since you missed lunch.”
“Oh. Thank you.” She forced a smile. “You can leave it on the desk.”
“Yes, ma’am.” The young woman deposited the heavily laden tray and then turned for the door.
The door snicked shut as Annabelle turned back to Grayson. He was picking up the last of the photos and papers. They were now sorted into two piles. One of snapshots and one of scraps of papers.
“I think I got it all,” Grayson said but his gaze never quite met hers.
So he regretted what just happened between them. She couldn’t blame him. She’d let the attraction she’d felt since she first met him get the better of her. Now, she had to somehow repair the damage if she had any hope of getting him to bring his state-of-the-art gaming café to Mirraccino. And it wasn’t just the café Grayson would bring to the area, but it would also be the headquarters for the Mediterranean arm of his business—an employment opportunity that would help Mirraccino.
“I’m sorry.” They both said in unison.
The combined apology broke the tension. They both smiled—genuine smiles. Maybe this situation wasn’t beyond repair after all. A girl could hope, couldn’t she?
“I shouldn’t have kissed you,” Annabelle confessed.
“You didn’t do it alone.”
“But still, I initiated it. This is all on me.”
