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“Get with the program and snatch her up before someone else does.”
Jealousy runs through my veins at the idea of anyone else ever holding her close, feeling her breathe against their necks, or sharing her secrets.
“We have a date tonight,” I blurt out, more for reassurance than his approval.
His grin says it all, and he slaps my shoulder, walking to the locker room. I follow, shaking my head. The thought of Ember with someone else twists my gut.
Chapter 10
Not Going Anywhere
Ember
How is it that a girl who works in fashion, studied fashion design and sketches formal dresses, can’t find anything to wear to a casual Saturday night dinner? Clothes are scattered everywhere as I finally decide on wide leg jeans and an off–the-shoulder sweater.
The doorbell chimes, and I hear Cruz greeting Robbie. When he strolls into my room a minute later, my mouth goes completely dry. The sight of him sends a sizzling sensation through my nerves. His hair is damp and unruly, his face is unshaven with slight stubble, and the black leather jacket hugs his broad shoulders. He’s rugge
d, he’s sexy, and I’m completely mesmerized.
His eyes darken as they roam up and down slowly. A bead of sweat runs down my back as the room turns warmer. When he licks his lips, I watch, hypnotized by the simple action. Once his gaze finally locks on mine, a small tremor rocks my body.
He stalks over and cups my chin gently, lowering his mouth to mine in a quick kiss. “You do know we’re just doing dinner at my house, right? You look incredible.”
“Thanks.”
Both his hands run over my shoulders and down my arms until reaching my hands. He moves my fingertips to his mouth and runs his lips along my knuckles. “This sweater is much softer than the other one.”
“It’s angora.”
“I don’t know what the fuck angora is, but this won’t scratch my skin when you lay on top of me tonight.”
I try to hide my blush by leaning into his shoulder. His chest shakes as he chuckles and puts his mouth to my ear.
“Need help cleaning up the disaster that was once your room?” He steps back and drops our hands. Immediately, I miss the warmth. “What the hell happened in here?”
“I’d like to lie and say I was organizing my closet, but truth is, I had no idea what to wear so this is the result.”
“Ember, I appreciate the effort, but you could have worn holey, torn sweats and looked as beautiful as you do now.”
“You really shouldn’t say that to a woman who just spent an hour trying on clothes.”
“How about if I say, the image of you in this blue sweater will be burned into my brain? It’s the exact same color as your eyes, which, by the way, I get lost every time I stare into them.”
His words sink in, and in this moment, something changes. I gaze at the man who walked into my store three months ago and took my breath away. Realization washes over me as feelings I’ve never experienced threaten to explode. This is no longer a measly crush on a hot guy; I’m falling for him. Completely and utterly falling for him.
His face studies mine and he grins. “So do you need help cleaning this up?”
“No, let’s go.” I reach for my purse and then his hand. Suddenly, there’s an urgent need to get to his house and get him alone.
Robbie’s condo is exactly as I expected— masculine, clean, comfortable. He explains that his sister and mom helped him make it livable, since he had nothing to speak of. Being in the Marines, and then living with his parents for a year, he never had his own belongings.
As he shows me around, I notice small feminine touches and smile. Splashes of color in the artwork on the walls pop, adding warmth to the room. It’s obvious that Robbie decorated the living room himself because the entertainment center and enormous television take up the entire wall.
He tells me to make myself comfortable while he starts dinner and gets us a drink. Pictures of him with family and friends are spread around, and I pick up one of him with six other guys. The only ones I recognize are he and Finn.
“Those guys were in my platoon.” He stands beside me, handing me a glass of wine. “This is Max.”
“It’s a good looking bunch of guys. Bet you all caused havoc when possible.”
