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“I’m sorry if you don’t like it.”
He jerked his head back around to me. “What?”
I felt my eyes burn with the threat of tears.
I will not cry. I will not.
Turning, I headed for the toilet. “I’ll be right back.” I barely got the words out as I walked down the small hallway. I shut the door and leaned against it. All of a sudden I felt wrecked. Me heart hammered in me chest and I wanted to cry so badly. I wished I hadn’t asked Cord for help and just waited for me da to come back home. Why I wanted this man to like me so much was beyond me. I deserved a man who looked at me the way I’d seen the other Parker brothers look at their wives. I felt the first tear slip and cursed.
“It’s stress from the opening,” I told meself in a hushed whisper.
The knock on my bathroom door made me jump.
“Yes? Um, I’ll be right out,” I called, rushing to the sink to splash my face with water.
“Maebh, are you okay?”
After I got me voice under control, I opened the door. “Yes. I needed to splash me face with water. I felt faint. Let me show you what I need help with so you can get back to your day.”
That was reasonable and very believable. It was summer in Texas and very hot.
Pushing past him, I walked back into the living room and up to the large painting.
“I just need this hung up.” I pointed to the wall space above the fireplace.
His hands touched me shoulders, causing me to breathe in a big gasp.
“I really do like your accent. I’m sorry if you thought I didn’t.”
Me back faced Cord so I closed me eyes and counted to five. It was obvious Cord didn’t have the slightest interest in me. I wish I could have said the same thing. His blue eyes visited me dreams nearly nightly. Me body trembled when he touched me. Hell, even with him being near I reacted. Not to mention the shot of heat that rushed through me veins and left me dizzy when he did touch me. Which was rare. Very rare.
“S’okay,” I managed to get out.
I didn’t dare move. If I turned to face him, his perfect, soft pink lips would be inches from mine and I’d only make a fool of meself when I stared at them.
“Maebh?”
His voice was soft and kind, and it made my stupid stomach flip. Every. Time.
“I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings, I didn’t mean to. I swear to you. It’s only that… I have a hell of a time understanding you.”
He turned me body so I faced him. We were inches apart. It was the closest I’d ever been to him and I took the moment to study him. He was beautiful. The soft lines around his eyes hinted at what he looked like when he smiled. I couldn’t see the dimples under his unshaven face, but I knew they were there. His scruff looked handsome and me fingers itched to feel it. Me eyes lifted to his gaze.
“I would never intentionally hurt you,” he said quietly. His stare was locked on me mouth, and I wanted him to kiss me more than I’d ever wanted anything in me entire life.
Me chest fluttered as his intense gaze moved across my face. It went from me lips to me eyes and back to me mouth. Cord exhaled loudly as he dropped his hold and took a step back, running his fingers through his gorgeous chestnut hair.
Lord Jesus above, give me strength with this man. He’s a weakness I’m not sure I can afford to have in me life just now.
“Do you have the stuff to hang up the picture?”
I shook me head to clear it. His closeness had left me dizzy and his hands had left a burning sensation where they’d been touching me.
“Picture?” I asked, forgetting everything around me except for Cord.
Cord smiled and the dimples came out in full force. I swayed some. Help me, sweet Jesus, this lad is so good looking. Me pants were damp just from the small contact I’d had with him.
Me cheeks flushed with dirty thoughts, and I slapped me hands over me face, hoping to hide the blush that had crept up me neck to me cheeks.
“The picture you asked me up here to hang up. Are you sure you’re feeling okay, Maebh?”
I spun around and rushed into the kitchen where I grabbed the hammer and the picture hanger I had gotten out earlier.
“Um…I attempted to put it up, but I’m afraid me balance is not so great.”
He reached for the items and our fingers brushed. I swore I heard him hiss…like he’d gotten burned from a fire. At least that was how it felt for me.
