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I smiled. “That’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
She laughed. Like always, she looked straight at her feet when she showed any real emotion.
I put my finger on her chin and gently lifted her head so she’d look at me. Her smile melted away and her lips parted.
“You’re even more gorgeous when you smile.”
“I thought you liked me best when I was irritated.”
I shrugged. “Some days I like vanilla ice cream. Some days I like chocolate. Right now, I like the smiling version of you.”
She was facing me now and she let her forehead fall to rest on my chest. “I’m not good at this.”
“At what?”
“This,” she said. “It feels like being vulnerable. Like I’m asking to get hurt.”
I wrapped my arms around her. “That means you’re doing it right. The truth is I’m not used to this, either. It has never felt important to me before. Important to get it right, I mean. But with you I don’t want to fuck things up.”
She lifted her head from my chest, halfway smiling. “Could’ve fooled me.”
“Hey. All the seemingly reckless things I do only seem reckless. I’ve always got a plan.”
“For some reason, I don’t believe that.”
I laughed. “Because you can tell when I’m full of shit.”
“Then tell me you’re not going to hurt me.” Her expression was deadly serious.
I looked into her eyes. I searched my own heart and wanted to be able to tell her I wouldn’t—that nothing could ever make me. Except there was the lingering shadow of Mrs. Glass and the threat she posed to me and my friends. If it came down to it…
“Never,” I said.
She studied my face, then sighed. “I want to believe you.”
“Then try. That’s the best we can both do.”
“Barry Boulders, if you make me regret this, I swear to God I’ll find a way to punish you.”
“Sounds kinky.”
She rolled her eyes. “Do you take anything seriously?”
I lowered my focus to her lips, then let my hands slide down her lower back until I could feel just the beginning of where her ass began. “There are a few things I take very, very seriously.”
Elizabeth put her fingertip on my chest and pushed us apart, then wagged it at me. “Keep your hands where I can see them. I’m not the kind of girl who gives it up that easily.”
“Easily?” I asked. “I’m going to have to start counting how many dates we’ve been on with two hands soon. I’d say you’re protecting that virginity of yours like Alcatraz.”
“One, I never said I was a virgin. Two, I wouldn’t admit you still count on your fingers.”
She started back pedaling like I was going to let her just end it on that note.
“Excuse me,” I said, following after her. “When do I get to see you next?”
“Tomorrow morning in the office we so conveniently share.”
“You know what I mean.”
“I’m not sure, Travis. I’m busy. You know that.”
“Then I’ll call in a few favors around the office and get you tomorrow evening off. I want you to meet my family. You’re going to love them. And I’ve still got to introduce you to Adrian, Noah, and Jordan sometime.”
“Who?”
“See?” I said. “We still have so much to learn about each other. This’ll be fun.”
“That’s one word for it.”
21
ELIZABETH
I was working at my desk while “Barry Boulders” hummed a surprisingly melodic little tune at his desk. The wood partition they’d set up in my office blocked him from my view, but I could see his feet kicked up on his desk and hear the occasional crunch of whatever he was snacking on.
“Do you mind?” I asked. “Some of us actually do work when we’re at the office.”
“I’m working, too,” Travis said.
I got up and stood in front of his desk. He had another one of his silly tiger magazines open. His eyes went wide and he raised his eyebrows when he saw me.
“Oh, hi,” he said.
“What kind of person reads tiger magazines?”
“I’m thinking about getting one.”
“You can’t just get a tiger.”
“Not in a strictly legal sense… But I could possibly borrow one. Remember? Zoos love me because I’ve got a way with difficult… creatures,” he said, giving me a significant look.
“I thought we talked about comparing me to your animals.”
“Right,” he said. “That’s why I don’t do that anymore.”
I sighed. “Would you at least keep it down while you’re slacking off over here? I’ve got a million things to do before my afternoon and evening meetings. I’d like to have a clear plate by the time I get there.”
“A million things, hm?” he asked. “When was the last time you checked your schedule?”
I put my fists on my hips. Travis was in rare form today, even for him. He had on a silver vest over a black dress shirt. His sleeves were rolled up and, as usual, he’d undone as many buttons on his shirt as he could get away with. The man always looked like he’d been dressed formally at some point, but halfway tried to break out of his clothes before he left the house. It was distractingly sexy.
