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I should say no. I should end this meeting and go home to get some work done. I should not get entangled with this man and not just because he’s now a client.
“I’d love some lunch,” slips out of my mouth instead of any refusal. My eyes widen as I realize what I’ve said. Where the hell did those words come from?
The smile he gives me melts away my indecision and makes me forget about the slightly grumpy mood he was in as I was looking at the jewelry on display. Still not sure what that was all about. When we stand up and he leads me out of his office, the hand he places on the small of my back feels possessive and so damn right I almost forget where I am. I swear the throbbing beat of his bed is beckoning me again. I have no doubt Holden would know exactly what to do with his body.
Even though I’m not supposed to be getting involved with a man right now, I think this may be out of my hands now. I was never great with resolutions before, why should this year be any different? Maybe that’s the real reason I didn’t tell my best friends about what I promised myself this year. I made it a few months, that has to count for something. Right?
I did make some strides in those months as well, I have more clients than I did last year and Holden is only one of them.
I keep debating with myself while Holden makes us some sandwiches and pulls some chips out of a cabinet. They’re even in an air sealed container. How domestic of him. I can’t help but watch as he moves, his muscles rippling with every torque and pull. It’s oddly erotic and I don’t think I’ve ever considered someone make a sandwich sexy before.
How fucking odd.
When we’re finally sitting he gives me a small smile that I can’t help but return with a big one. This man makes me giddy. And he smells so good, like clean metal and spice. I had no idea I would think that was a winning combination, but it is.
As we dig in, a long silence stretches between us and it’s not one I feel the need to fill. Normally I would. I would have to do anything but sit in silence. I don’t know why being quiet in his presence gives me a sense of calm and peace I’ve never experienced before. It’s possible I don’t need the answer, but I’m left wondering all the same.
“You know, I owe you an apology,” Holden’s voice is soft, like a gentle touch and a warm blanket spun together in the perfect combination. I must give him a confused look because he chuckles softly and shakes his head. When he takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, I abandon the last remaining chips on my plate. I definitely have a need to hear him out more than I do to stuff my face. “I made some assumptions about you when you came to the appointment with Lincoln.”
I wave my hand dismissively, relief coursing through me. Not as bad as I thought it would be. “I can understand why you would think I was the fiancé in that situation. It’s not like we explained anything.” I arch an eyebrow, trying not to purr like a coquettish kitten, “Did it bother you?”
He growls, “Hell yes.”
The giggle which comes out of me surprises me, it’s a real giggle not one I’ve put on time and time again because I thought it was the sound I was supposed to. Holden’s eyes light up and he chuckles with me, a sound so deep I want to press my body against his and make him do it again. Quite a few times. There will never be enough times.
I roll my eyes, “Lincoln is not my type and he’s ga-ga over Willow.” I lean toward him slightly and scrunch up my nose, “It’s kind of gross how lovey-dovey they are, but I’m thrilled for Willow.”
“You’re a good friend.” I shrug one shoulder and pop a chip into my mouth since it seems the heavy shit is out of the way, and it wasn’t even that big of a deal. “I also need to apologize because I judged you when you were looking at my jewelry. A lot of the women I’ve dated in the past were only interested in gifts because of my work.”
I have never almost aspirated a chip until this very moment. I make the sound of a dying ferret and then cough in the most unladylike move I have ever made in my life. Then Holden’s hand is coming down on my back. Even though the move is gentle, as I’m sure he could whack me with a lot more force, it might as well be the force of a sledgehammer coming down on me with how my body reacts to him.
I want him to touch me all over.
When he hands me my glass, I take a greedy drink and try and get my shit under control. I gasp out, “I’m not like that.”
With a heavy sigh he slumps back into his chair and runs his fingers through his hair. “I know.” He pierces me with his dark eyes, and I forget about almost being assassinated by a shaved bit of potato. There’s amusement dancing in his eyes, but it’s not doing a solo, lust is right there with it. Huh. “That’s why I’m apologizing,” his tone is flirtatious as he punctuates his words with a wink.
“You’re kind of all over the place,” I muse as I set the glass down, glad to be able to breathe normally again.
I don’t usually get mortified about things, but that was kind of embarrassing. There’s a part of me that wants to run and hide, but the way Holden is looking at me has me pinned to the seat. Before I realize what’s happening, he’s lifted me out of my seat and I’m in his lap.
“Woah,” I breathe out as my hands connect with his pecs and I’m not entirely sure if I’m talking about being in his arms or the feel of his chest under my hands.
Definitely both.
“I know and I’m sorry, I think I have it all figured out now, Angel,” the timbre of his voice is hypnotic.
“You do?”
“Yeah, I do.”
I don’t get to respond to the finality in his words before his lips are pressed against mine, soft but insistent. I wrap my arms around him and give myself over to the kiss. I’ve never had one feel so right before. All thoughts about resolutions and what I should do fly out the window because what I know, without a doubt, is I should be kissing Holden.
Forever.
CHAPTER 4
HOLDEN
