Page 51 of The Other Guy

“Am I breathing?”

“Now who’s dramatic?”

She giggles and follows me to the kitchen, looking around the space. My dad helped me refinish my kitchen and since he’s a chef, everything is top of the line. Well, top of the line that was within my budget, anyway. “Wow. You waste this kitchen on making plain old chicken breasts and steamed veggies?”

I stop in my tracks. “What?”

“Isn’t that what you eat all the time?”

“Who told you that?”

She grins. “Your dad. When you went to the bathroom at the diner. He said I was a good influence on you because you normally only eat chicken and veggies.”

“I’m healthy.”

She does a slow perusal of my body and I don’t miss the flare of heat in her eyes. “Mm hmm.”

I raise my eyebrows and resist shoving my hands in my pockets of my gray sweats when her eyes stay trained on my crotch for a few seconds longer than appropriate. Instead, I cross my arms over my chest and flex my biceps a little.

Her cheeks go pink and she matches my stance. Is she making her breasts pop out of her sweater on purpose? Maybe earlier when she was giving me a good look it wasn’t an accident after all.

Somehow we are standing only a foot apart, both of us with our arms crossed over our chests to show off. Our eyes taking the other in, breath coming in heavier. I inch closer and she does the same. Electricity zinging between us without even touching. I would bet my gym that if we came together, it would be far more than electricity. Fireworks. Explosions.

It takes every ounce of self-control I possess to not take her in my arms and slam my mouth to hers in a kiss neither of us will forget. A kiss that would make all other kisses be long forgotten.

She licks her lips and my eyes zero in on the little pink tip of her tongue.

Just as I’m about to take another step closer, to test my theory about how strong our connection really is, Toby interrupts us with a growl then half-assed bark. He whimpers a little then lets out another little yip/bark. Sierra blows out a breath, taking a step back and I do the same.

“He’s dreaming. He does it often.”

I nod and swallow. “Cheesecake?”

“Maybe another time. I was taking Toby for a walk and decided to say hi. I didn’t plan on staying.”

“No?”

“No. I… there are some things I need to figure out and walks always clear my head.”

“And those thoughts led you to my doorstep.” It’s not a question. First of all, she can’t deny it because of where she’s currently standing. Second, I already know the answer. She feels something between us as well. However, she was living with her boyfriend and now she’s back here, living with her uncle. Whatever happened in the few days she was gone changed things and she deserves time to digest that.

“Yes,” she eventually admits.

“I’m glad they did,” I tell her truthfully. “Whenever you’re ready for that… cheesecake… you let me know.”

“You’ll be the first.”

“Good.”

“I’d better go,” she says, though it sounds like that’s the opposite of what she’d like to do.

“Want me to drive you?” A quick look out the window tells me that the snowstorm they’d predicted to come tonight has arrived. Unfortunately, it is warm enough that it hasn’t quite turned to snow yet. Ice pelts the window and then I hear thunder. Thunder snow means we’re not just going to get a few inches but rather a dumping of snow.

She follows my gaze and winces. “Do you mind? I’m sorry to take you out of the house. Especially in this.”

“It’s fine. I really don’t want you walking in this anyway. Nor do I like the idea of you out in the dark.”

“Toby’s here to keep me safe. He wouldn’t hurt a fly but people don’t know that.”

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