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As he opened his eyes, chewing the strawberry obnoxiously, winking at her playfully, knowing darn well what he was doing… and she stared at him in disbelief and wonder. He was so infuriating, fun to be around, driving her nuts with the way his mind worked, and… it was enchanting.
She didn’t want to like him, barely wanted to be friends with someone that pushed her buttons, but it was like he just knew and understood her on a level no one else had.
“What?” he smiled, reaching for another strawberry. “No comments, my sweet Minx?”
He swirled it playfully in the chocolate – and then in the small bucket of white stuff, before holding it up between them.
“Do you like marshmallow fluff?”
“No.”
“What a shame it’s on there now, eh?” he said softly – and held the strawberry out towards her, smiling. “I guess if you don’t want this one…”
June called his bluff and leaned forward, moving to take the strawberry from him, only to have him silently move it away, watching her with an intensity that made her heart skip a beat.
“Indulge me, my friend…” he breathed softly. “Pretend we’ve known each other for years, and we’re just sitting on a blanket overlooking the lake in Tahoe.”
“So, we’re pretending to be friends?”
“If it makes you feel better.”
“Ian, that’s all wecanbe.”
“Then that’s fine,” he said simply, accepting her conditions. “Lean forward, close your eyes, and open your mouth,my friend.”
She hesitated.
“Let me have this, please…?”
Feeling her cheeks grow warm, she leaned forward and closed her eyes, slightly parting her lips. Time seemed to stand still as she heard his intake of breath and smelled the chocolate-marshmallow-strawberry combination, heady, under her nose.
She felt him tentatively touch the fruit to her lower lip before pulling it away slightly, causing her to laugh nervously. She licked her lip where the chocolate sat and felt him touch it again quickly, chuckling softly as he teased her.
“Ian, this is crazy.”
“Part of the game,” he replied quietly. “We’ll get back to the questions in a moment… and here comes the strawberry.”
She waited and felt the chocolate touch her lip again – only for it to be pulled away as she laughed… and felt something warm close to her face as she jerked open her eyes and met his.
“No…” she said hoarsely, not moving.
He had tried to kiss her!
“Alright,” he replied, his own voice thick with emotion. “You said ‘No’ and I will honor that. You will always be able to trust me. Bite?”
He moved back only slightly, and held the strawberry steady against her lips – as she bit it, not looking away from him.
“I still think you’re weird,” she whispered, and saw his gentle smile – before he turned the strawberry and took a bite of it himself.
“Because Iamweird, Minx, and you find it entertaining, even if you don’t want to enjoy this. I’m okay with you having silent little wishes tucked deep down inside.”
“Your ego is going to get you in trouble,” she whispered.
“Probably one day…” he grinned, agreeing easily, “but notto-day.”
His smile was infectious, and his beautiful blue eyes crinkled at the corners gently in the faint sunset, as he met her eyes unapologetically – not retreating back from her.
“Want me to leave – or shall we use these few days I’m in town to get to know each other in friendship?” he asked boldly. “I think there’s a few more questions on that paper, or you are welcome to ad-lib.”
