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Crystal’s face fell before she pasted on a polite smile. “That’s nice of him. Thanks.”
Zach’s tight muscles eased. At least that problem was resolved. He stepped back into the bedroom.
Crystal followed, tugging her hat lower. Why did she keep doing that? It was not like the sun was shining in her eyes. Whatever. Time was ticking, and he needed to get busy.
He flashed back to the happy smile on his mom’s face after shopping with Crystal. “I don’t decorate, so thanks for doing all this for my mother.”
“Well, I…I’m doing it for you too. You’re nice enough to let me stay at your place.” Crystal toyed with a button on her shirt.
The tentative way she’d said it and the redness in her cheeks tugged at his heart.
“We’re both grateful. It’s warm in here even with the air on. Why don’t you roll up your sleeves and pants?”
“It’s all right. I don’t want to…”
“You don’t want to what?” He took a step closer.
She kept her head down.
“Crystal? What are you trying not to say?”
“I’m glad you agreed to let me help. The least I can do is try not to gross you out.”
“What are you talking about?”
“The way I look. You said it yourself. You appreciate me wearing these clothes. And your mom’s comment about how hard it was for you to be around me.” Her voice caught. “I’m not blind. I’m ugly right now.”
“Wait a minute.” He scratched his head. Was she out of her mind? It was taking a monumental effort for him not to stare at her. “I said that about your outfit because I thought you were being smart, covering up so you wouldn’t get paint on your skin.”
She looked him in the eyes for a quick second. “What about what your mom said? And why did you race out of your house earlier when she was making those comments?”
Zach shook his head. He had no idea what got into Crystal. She was saying things that made no sense, and he couldn’t take anymore. “It’s true I find it hard to be around you, but not for the reason you think.”
“It’s not because I disgust you?”
He blinked. “That’s what you think?”
She dipped her head again. “Well…yeah. I mean, I can’t blame you.”
“Stop doing that.” He put a finger under her chin and raised her head. “You don’t have to hide your face from me.”
She blushed. “It’s a mess. Bright pink.”
“It would take a hell of a lot more than that to make you unattractive.” His gaze followed the sweet curve of her neck. He stroked his thumb under her chin. “You are beautiful to me, splotchy face or not.”
She trembled. Her lips parted, and she moistened them. The tiny flick of her tongue sent a coil of heat to his belly, and his cock came to life. Her eyes darkened as the air between them sizzled. “You’re just being nice.”
He slid the hat off her head and threaded his fingers through the back of her hair. “Don’t believe me? Let me prove it.”
Inch by inch, he lowered his head, pulling her against his body.
Her nipples hardened when they pressed on his chest, and he captured her mouth in a kiss.
Soft and slow, he moved his mouth over hers.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back.
Heat blazed inside, fueling his desire. He slid his tongue along her teeth, and she opened for him.
