Page 11 of Flare

Our gazes met again, and this time Beck let his interest show. A little heat and a lot of questions. Kip looked between us, muttered something, and then disappeared into the store with a snort of amusement.

I needed to look away and so, of course, I smiled.Fucking hell. The guy was weaving some voodoo shit over me. I didn’t do this. I didn’t flirt. I didn’t return interest. I had my cock on lockdown and I didn’t even let myself look too hard, for a lot of very, very good reasons. Years of careful wall building and yet, somehow, this mountain of a man had wriggled past those defences without setting off any alarms or even a knock on the door, and I didn’t know more than his fucking name.

I cleared my throat. “So, Monday at four?”

“He’ll be here.” We shook hands, our grasp lingering a lot longer than necessary, and I warred with the rising pulse in my throat. Then a fingertip grazed the underside of my wrist and I jolted like I’d been burned. He frowned and I should’ve let him pull away, but my fingers had a mind of their own and the fuckers tightened instead.

Beck stilled and cocked his head, studying me.

Let go. Let go.

And did I? No, of course I bloody didn’t.

Those plush lips turned up in a slow sexy smile, and it was like the fucking sun had risen in my office. My entire body warmed, and I thanked God for olive skin to hide the ridiculous blush that was surely stamped all over my cheeks.

Stupid, stupid man.What the fuck was I doing?

He finally slid his hand free and took a step toward the door before turning back. “Unless you’d like to meet for coffee or something? Maybe over the weekend?” Those beautiful, hopeful eyes danced across my face, his nerves showing.

This was exactly why I didn’t do this. Nothing could happen. Nothing was going to happen.

I kept my eyes on his. “Thanks, but no. You seem like a nice guy, but I’m not dating at the moment. Nothing personal. Just... busy.” I mentally cringed.Nothing personal?The one phrase guaranteed to make the other person feel it was as personal as fuck. Not to mention it wasmewho’d held on tohishand.

“Oh, of course.” He frowned, a flush rolling up his neck to his beard. “I just thought... I guess...” He sighed and furiously shoved the buttons through the loops on his coat. “I can see I read things wrong. Thanks again for what you did for Jack.” He rushed the words and headed for the front door of the shop, face blazing, and completely missed Kip’s outstretched hand as he passed.

Goddammit.“Beck, wait.” I made it to the service desk but he was already gone.

Kip locked the front door and turned with a wolfish grin on his face. “That poor guy ran out of here looking like you were gonna eat him for breakfast. You’re in there, my man. I’d be tempted myself, but he only had eyes for you.”

“Rubbish.” I watched the taillights of Beck’s BMW head toward the university with a sinking stomach. “Besides, he’s Jack’s uncle.”

Kip’s brows knotted. “So? You’re not the kid’s schoolteacher or anything. And you might wanna buy a heavy raincoat after that long-arse dry spell you’ve been wallowing in ever since I started. I sense astormcoming. Batten down the hatches, all.” He gave a wicked grin. “Or perhaps it calls for opening them up.” His expression couldn’t be any more delighted.

“Shut up.” I rolled my eyes. “And what would you know about any so-called dry spell? You’re as bad as Hunter. Butt out of my sex life.”

“Nope. You need more buttsinyour sex life, baby. That’s the whole point. And where is our esteemed photographer, by the way? He’s normally decimated our biscuit supply before now on a Friday afternoon.”

“At a meeting for Fashion Week, along with all the other photogs. And there’s nothing wrong with having a break from dating.”

“Never said there was. But there’s having a break, and then there’s having your balls wither into a wizen shadow of their former selves. I bet they sound like a pair of maracas when you walk.”

I snorted. “Fuck you. I get action when I need it.”Just not the action I want.

“Rhys, I own your diary, baby. Between the hours you work and the shortage of man candy anywhere near your gorgeous arse, it’s not rocket science. You never stare at your phone with sappy looks. Or ask me to rearrange appointments. Or go out for long lunches. Hell,anylunches. And whenever I’ve caught sight of you at a club, which I haven’t for longer than I’ll say so I don’t embarrass you, you arrive alone and leave alone no matter what happens in between. You scream fucking boyfriend material in huge neon letters. And believe me, I’d have heard if anyone had you on their hook.”

My jaw dropped open. “Iscreamboyfriend material? What the actual fuck? You wouldn’t know boyfriend material if one tripped over that sassy arse of yours and fell into your lap all gooey-eyed and scrumptious.”

“Ugh.” Kip gave an exaggerated shudder. “Don’t even say the word. You might conjure one up and then I’d have to break another heart. I just call it how I see it.”

Which was unfortunately true, and usually with unerring accuracy. Case in point.

“And don’t pretend there’s not a ton of guys sniffing around you.” He followed me on a trail around the shop as I tidied shelves and did anything else that kept me from his shrewd gaze. “I’m not asking why you don’t. I’m just saying that the look you gave Mister Cute Scraggly Beard With Potential is the most interest I’ve seen you show in another man since I started here.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” I arranged the leather belts in order of length and Kip immediately rearranged them in order of colour and design.

“Don’t—” He slapped my hand. “—fuck with my store.”

I huffed and stepped away. “Anyway, I’m too busy with the debut show of my career just around the corner to bother with dating. And I can do without any further commentary on my love life, thank you very much.”

---