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I lean forward, starting to tug off my tuxedo jacket. “Do you want this? For your legs? Or…”
She scowls at me, which is the last reaction I was expecting. I damn near apologize for my offer before she shakes her head.
“Just…yes, I’ll take your jacket.”
I hand it over and she puts it around her shoulders. It easily covers her once she clamps it tight across her chest.
She inhales against the lapel and sheepishly smiles. “It smells like you.” Her eyes catch mine, and with an air of vulnerability, she adds, “I like it.”
Fuck it. I almost lean over and kiss her right then. I can imagine her plush lips on mine…
“What are you thinking? Your expression is so dark…”
“Kissing you. I’m thinking about kissing you, Tate.”
She rolls her lips between her teeth like she’s putting them in timeout. A smile barely peeks through.
I don’t expect my honesty to go well. It hasn’t worked well in the past. But then she surprises me by asking, “Then what? What would happen after you kiss me?”
“Tate.”
My voice is close to a growl.
Doesn’t she realize I’ve been starved for her all night, utterly obsessed? Doesn’t she know it felt like a cruel punishment to have to sit by her through that dinner and not touch her, not even once?
“Forget I asked. It was an accident.” I can’t help but smile as she nods emphatically, trying to prove her point. “It was. I can’t be held liable for the things I say and do right now. I meant what I said earlier. You…you really shouldn’t be allowed to wear a tux.”
She angles toward me, and we stare at each other across the seat, playing a game of copycat.
I narrow my eyes; she does the same.
I tilt my head to study her; she tilts hers too.
I reach out to take her hand so I can turn it palm side up on the middle seat between us. It’s just a hand, as innocent a body part as any. So then why is she shaking? She watches me with bated breath as I slowly run my pointer finger up the length of her middle finger then across the middle of her palm. I feel her shiver when I capture her wrist in my hand and tug.
She falls against me so easily. My hand reaches up to grip the back of her neck. It’s completely exposed thanks to all that lovely brown hair tucked into her up-do. Someone could just…bite her right there.
“An accident?” I ask again, this time with her lips nearly touching mine.
She’s staring at my mouth, wetting her bottom lip as she nods. “Yes.”
Her eyes are as wide and innocent as a doe’s.
“It’s always like that with you. You accidentally goad me, tease me, and then you withdraw like you’re scared. It kills me every time you do it.”
Her eyebrows shoot up in contest. “I’m not scared.”
She’s almost smiling now, trying to tip us back toward friends, but I won’t allow it. My thumb rubs back and forth along her neck and her eyes flutter closed for a brief second before she realizes what she’s done and blinks them open again, tugging to get away from me, but I don’t let her.
“I wonder what Michael would think about this.”
His name is like a magic word. I utter it and she goes rigid.
She tries harder now to reel back, her hands coming up to push against my chest. Still, I easily hold her steady against me.
“We’re here,” the driver says.
I look toward the front seat to see his eyes are on the road. I grab cash from my wallet to tip him and then tell him I can get home from here. Who knows how long I’ll be. I’m certainly not just letting her get out.
“I’ll walk you up,” I tell Tate, taking her bicep in hand. It could be gentlemanly, but it’s not. It’s possessive, borderline rude.
“No need,” she says in a rush.
I’m already out the door, tugging her behind me. The doorman for her building lets us in with a wave and a smile, and we make our way to the elevator. She’s not cooperating, but I know how to get to her place just fine on my own. I call the elevator, and when the gleaming chrome doors sweep open, I lead us inside.
“This way, Tate.”
“You don’t have to sound so pissy about it.”
“I’ll show you pissy.”
I press the number for her floor.
She throws up her free hand. “Oh please. God, you’re so annoying. How dare you ask me about Michael when you’re over there with Lizzy flirting all day every day, I’m sure. How are you two, by the way? Was she so sad she couldn’t be on your arm tonight? You’ll have to call her on the way home and tell her how desperately you missed—”
