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Telling her I didn't exist outside of my job was on the tip of my tongue. And a lie. But I kept my secret summer life just that – a secret. Eve and I had that in common – a deep desire for privacy.
Leaning back, I spread my arm along the booth, projecting confidence.
"Okay, Ms. Pendleton, then tell me – what do you think is uniquely me? Help me put together my package. What's going to make the ladies of Campfire swoon?"
Was it my imagination that her attention dropped toward my lap as I enunciated the word 'package'? Unless she’d gained x-ray vision, the table protected what remained of my honor, but that didn’t stop me from shifting a little at the thought of her checking me out.
I held her dark gaze, warming to the idea of seeking her help, daring her to share her idea of a perfect night out with me.
Eve tilted her head, examining me from the top of my head to my Grizzly-red tie, seeming to assess the forearms bared by my rolled up dress shirt. It was my one concession to being off the clock. What did she see when she looked at me? The stuffy high school principal, or the man who secretly thought she was hot?
Quiet stretched, pulling the invisible thread that linked us taut, until the tension was almost unbearable. Her breath stilled, and I felt the hint of change between us. Would Eve admit to the attraction bubbling under the surface, or snuff out the flame the licked along my every nerves anytime I was near her, aching to run wild?
"One Campfire Special, hot from the oven," Izzy said cheerily, sliding the pan between us, breaking our silent staring match.
Mood broken, I shifted my attention to Izzy, trying not to let my chagrin show. "Thanks, Izzy. May I please get a fork and knife when you have a minute?"
The tiny frown arrowing between Eve's brows brought me back to earth with a crash.
I may want Eve, but that didn't mean she could overlook the man she assumed I was. Uptight. Unbending.
Eve served herself a slice of pizza, moaning in pleasure as she bit into the spicy blend of meat and cheese, tomato sauce dripping from her chin in a messy exhalation of pleasure. Her pure abandonment captivated me. She ate with all of her focus, caught up in the simple joy of gooey cheese and tasty goodness. That kind of attention, even when it wasn't focused on me, turned me on. I shifted in my seat, unable to tear my gaze from her.
What kind of sicko got an erection over pizza?
Me, apparently.
Dropping an extra napkin in my lap to hide the evidence of my arousal, I thanked Izzy for the silverware, grateful to have something to focus on other than Eve's blissed out expression.
Sure, pizza was great, but had she tried sex?
It was on the tip of my tongue to beg her to give it a go. With me, if that wasn't obvious. But instead, I concentrated on cutting my pizza slice into precise bites, strategic about the sauce to cheese to toppings ratio.
Eve pulled a second slice to her plate as I forked my first bite into my mouth, chewing slowly.
Her gaze dropped to the neat squares on my plate, before zeroing in on my lips and jaw, working as I swallowed.
"Has anyone ever told you that you have the self-restraint of a saint?" Eve asked, pausing in her bid to inhale her second slice.
I took a slow pull from my beer, holding her gaze before setting the pint down precisely on the coaster.
"Ah, Ms. Pendleton, that's where you've got me wrong. I promise, underneath the surface, I'mallsinner."
Eve paused mid-bite and stared.
I'd meant the words to be playful, sexy even, but her dazed reaction made me worry I’d overstepped. Screwed up. I shook my head, trying to dislodge the memories. The stark reminder of why I took such care knocked the devil out of me.
When I fucked up, people died.
I couldn't afford any more mistakes. My soul already had more than enough to answer for.
Suddenly exhausted, I gave up on the game of cat and mouse with Eve. She was as closed-off as they came, and I'd already made more mistakes than I wanted to admit to. I didn't want to count her among them. Still, part of me couldn't resist tweaking her tail.
"So, you didn't say. What do you think I should do for my auction package?"
Chapter 3
Eve
