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It was difficult not to compare myself to her. While she could have put more clothing on, no one could say she wasn’t beautiful. Her makeup was flawless, and she had a confidence that I’ve never truly felt a fraction of.
If that was the kind of woman Crew was used to then he would be disappointed with me, no matter how good the kiss we shared was.
I kept my eyes trained on the plate in front of me and picked at what was left, as Crew greeted the woman, “Good morning, Gabrielle.”
“Crew,” she purred his name as if she had a right to the intimacy her tone implied. Maybe she did. “I was just heading up to the buffet. Is there anything I can get for you?”
Her words held so much more than an offer to get him something from the buffet line. She could have just as well laid herself out on the buffet table and rang the dinner bell. I scrunched up my nose in distaste and disgust before I could school my features.
When Crew chuckled under his breath, I hazard a glance at the man from under my lashes. He should have been staring at Gabrielle, but he wasn’t. His blue eyes were boring into me and imploring my attention.
I was shocked to say the least and it was clear that Gabrielle was getting more and more annoyed by the lack of attention he was giving her. She looked about a second away from a meltdown.
With a huff she crossed her arms underneath her breasts, I’m sure in the attempt to push them up and make them more enticing. “Well,” her tone had become impatient, “do you need anything?”
Crew’s voice was blasé, but his eyes were pure fire as he held my gaze, “No, I’m good with what I have.”
I should not have felt giddy because he turned down a woman’s advances, but I did. Hell, it’s been hours since then and I’m still riding that high.
I should be turning my nose up at Crew and holding onto a grudge because of the way he treated me when I arrived. For some reason, I can’t do it. It’s like I’m incapable of staying mad at him.
It would be a huge problem if he wasn’t being nice now. It might be sudden, but my gut is telling me that I can trust him and the changes in his behavior.
I look around the large library and let out a contented sigh. Libraries have always been a source of solace for me, and this one is amazing. There are so many books about various subjects, including myth and legend. Some of the editions are very old and I’m impressed with how well they’ve been cared for even though this is a home library.
“El,” Crew’s voice reaches me, and I shiver at the sound of it.
A voice should not affect me as much as his does, but I would be lying if I said it doesn’t make me want to jump up and run toward him. He rounds a corner and sees where I’m sitting on a loveseat with a book in my lap. I wasn’t brave enough to handle one of their really old books, but that doesn’t mean I’d let an opportunity to read in the library pass me by.
“There you are,” he murmurs as a wide smile stretches across his face.
“You found me,” I tease him as if we’ve been playing a long game of cat and mouse.
Something flashes in his eyes that is predatory and excited about the prospect of hunting me down. Maybe cat and mouse is a more apt description than I realized. The way he watches me has my entire body taking notice. I don’t think I’d mind it much if he caught me.
“What are you reading?” He nods toward the book in my lap, and I find myself blushing a little bit.
I hold up the older edition of one of my favorites, and a classic. “Little Women. It’s one of my favorites and I couldn’t help myself,” I’m quick to add on.
Crew’s face lights up before he chuckles and waves his hand around the space. “Whatever you want to read in here is fair game. I already told you that you’re welcome and there aren’t any restrictions on your movements or activities.”
“Except going into the woods by myself,” I remind him with a hint of sass in my voice.
“Except that,” he confirms with a solemn nod.
When Crew looks away, I swear I see nervousness flit across his features, but it’s gone so quickly that I can’t be sure. He rubs the back of his neck before straightening his spine and looking directly into my eyes. “Would you join me for a movie?”
A smile starts to grow on my face until it’s so large that it hurts my cheeks. “Like a date?”
I’m teasing him. Mostly. Kinda.
But the serious expression on Crew’s face tells me that this isn’t a joking matter.
“It is. Think of it as our first, official date,” there’s a hint of hope in his voice along with some trepidation he tries to cover up.
I stand up and put the book onto a nearby table. I should put it away, but I’ll have to deal with that later. Right now I’m being asked out by the most handsome man I’ve ever met. If that doesn’t require my full concentration and focus, then I don’t know what does.
“You want to go on a date with me?” My question is laced with disbelief I don’t think I could hide even if I wanted to.
