AllFreeNovel
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I get a second helping of everything, including the wine. And despite the heavy meal, the wine is going right to my head. It’s all starting to sink in. I’m in a cabin in the middle of nowhere with Orlie Wynters. My boss. And the man I’ve had a slightly inappropriate crush on for over a year.
I pause after a sip of wine and take him in. Whereas I ravenously devoured my first helping, Orlie is still working through his with delicate precision. He looks as focused and determined as he does when leading a big meeting.
I’ve always judged him for being so serious. Maybe that’s just Orlie.
Maybe that’s what I like about him after all.
“You’re a good dancer.”
Holy shit, did I just say that?
Orlie stops midchew and looks at me. “Where did that come from?”
I slide my hands over my cheeks. They’re so warm. If it weren’t for the wine, I’d be running a fever.
Can’t take it back, Kira. Out with it.
“I never told you. After the wedding. But you’re a very good dancer.”
Orlie’s seriousness splits and something tugs at the corner of his mouth. “Thank you, Kira. So are you.”
“No, I’m fine. But you, you’re very good.”
Okay, now you’re laying it on a little thick.
Orlie eyes me from across the table.
It’s not very big and if I let my impulses get the better of me, I could lunge across and grab him by the back of the neck and lay one on him right now. But my impulses won’t win. I, Kira Solace, am always in control of them.
I watch him take a calculated sip of wine, then swish the glass around so the bowl is tinted with red. “Why wait until now to tell me?”
“Well, there’s never been a good moment. At work, you know, it’s all –“
“So, you’ve been thinking about it.”
I didn’t know it was possible to go pale and blush at the same time, but my body is all sorts of messed up over that comment. I wouldn’t be surprised if I spontaneously combusted too.
“You’ve been thinking about dancing with me.”
I can’t hold his gaze for very long. It’s like there are magnets in his eyes attaching to my every word, trying to pull them from my mouth.
Must…be…strong.
“You know, since you cooked, I’ll clean. How about that, huh?” I shoot up from my chair and collect the plates on my side of the table.
“Kira –”
“No, I know you think I’m not very good at it, but just wait. I’ll make up for that crusty pot, you’ll see.”
As I rush over to the sink, I hear Orlie get up from his chair. My brain screams, “No! Stay away,” but my body is begging, “Yes…come closer.”
“I have no doubt you would do an amazing job, but –”
“Thank you again, for dinner. Delicious. Ha! I don’t think there are any leftovers. I ate so –”
I feel Orlie’s hand on my shoulder. He yanks me away from the sink, spinning me toward him. I press myself up against the sink, but there’s nowhere for me to go. He’s practically on top of me. Only an inch away.
His eyes examine every inch of my face. And I’m in such shock that I can’t act on any single impulse I stifled while I was sitting across from him at the dinner table.
