Page 23 of Body Shot

“Impressive.”

I shift from one foot to the other. “It’s a lot of work.”

“What does that mean, exactly?”

“What?”

“What you said you do.”

“Oh. Basically, we’re trying to cure cancer.”

“Oh. Is that all?”

I laugh at his dry humor. “And a few other diseases.” As usual, I feel that lightness in my chest and my heart rate accelerating when I talk about my work. “The possibilities are huge with the progress we’ve made.”

His lips curve into a smile and the corners of his eyes crinkle. “You look excited.”

I roll my eyes. “I do tend to be passionate about it. But it bores most people to tears.”

He gazes at me for a long moment, his eyebrows pinched together. “I think you’re the opposite of boring,” he says slowly. “Like I said last night . . . you’re fascinating.”

A hot tingle sweeps up from my chest into my face and I drop my gaze to my bare feet.

“Hey.” He moves closer, close enough to lift my chin with his fingers. “Now you look embarrassed.”

I press my lips together. “I’m not fascinating.”

“Clearly you are, because I’m fascinated.”

“You probably say that to all the girls.”

He laughs again and I love the rumbling sound of it. “Yeah, I don’t think I’ve ever said that to a woman before, honestly. Look, this is why I’m here.” He holds up the glossy black and white shopping bag.

My eyes widen. “Oh. Right.”

“I guessed you’re a size medium.”

Heat floods my cheeks. I’m probably breaking out in blotchy hives too, which happens when I get embarrassed. I’m no doubt a red, sweaty mess. How on earth could he think I’m fascinating?

“I’ll, uh, open this later. Thank you. Again, you really didn’t need to do that.”

“I’m a man of my word.”

I eye him doubtfully. He seems like such a smooth charmer, words and compliments coming easy to him. In my experience, people like that live on the surface, using charm and glamour to win people over. But once again, I sense there’s more to him than that surface charisma.

“You’re analyzing something again.” His dark eyes study me.

“You,” I blurt, then close my eyes as more mortification sweeps through me.

He chuckles. “Yeah?”

“You’re the one who’s fascinating,” I say, unable to help myself.

“Well, hey, we have a little mutual admiration happening here,” he says.

“Along with that explosive chemistry.”

I shouldn’t be encouraging this! I should be thanking him for the underwear and showing him the door.

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