Page 123 of Curvy Girl Summer

“I might have a concussion,” he stated, changing the subject abruptly. “What time is your date?”

“What makes you think I have a date?”

“That dress.”

I posed. “What? This old thing?”

He eyed me from head to toe, setting my body on fire. “You look good.”

My nipples hardened under the attention. “Thank you.”

His gaze lingered, stirring desire within me and quickening my heart rate. I noticed him noticing my nipples pressing against the material and pointing at him. I noticed him taking in the sneak peek of my thick thigh, exposed by the high slit of the dress. But most notably, I noticed the unmasked want flit across his face as he took me in. Unable to take my eyes off him, I noticed a lot. And it only occurred to me after the fact that he could probably see the same longing on my face.

“I mean it. You look good.” He watched me fidget under the intensity of his stare. “Really good.”

I crossed my arms over my chest and pulled his jacket closer to me. His cologne hit my nostrils, and I inhaled deeply. A chill ran through me, and I shuddered. He licked his lips. “If you’re cold, you can wear the jacket.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry I didn’t think tooffer sooner. I mean, I don’t know how it’ll go with your… dress.” He looked me up and down again. “But it’ll keep you warm at least.”

Needing an opportunity to breathe, I ripped my eyes away from him and I held the black jacket out in front of me. “Thanks.”

I pulled it to see if it had a good stretch to it. Realizing it would fit, I slipped it on. I knew it wouldn’t look good with the dress, but I was a little chilly in that cold, sterile hospital.

Looking up at him, I tried to make a joke of our moment and struck a pose. “How do I look? Am I making it work?”

“You look good. But if I’m honest, it’s hard for you not to look good.”

I gave him a suspicious look. “You know… that might be the first real compliment you’ve ever given me.”

“I was just in a car accident and I’m probably not thinking clearly, so…”

Amused, I let out an exasperated sound. “Or maybe it just knocked some sense into you.”

He let out a short chuckle before wincing, touching the bandage. “Too soon.”

My hands flew to my chest. “Be careful.”

“It’s okay.”

“But areyouokay?” Taking a cautious step forward, I assessed him. “You didn’t answer me when I asked before.”

“Yeah, it probably looks worse than it is. I just need stitches, and it’ll be fine.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

He held my gaze, but he didn’t speak.

“Areyouokay?” I asked again. Getting a little closer, I reached out and touched his hand.

His brown eyes felt like they were burning into mine. “I’m fine,” he said with just enough uncertainty to let me know he wasn’t.

“Okay,” I whispered, giving him a reassuring pat. “But if you weren’t, I would understand.”

He didn’t take his eyes off me.

The silence between us wasn’t uncomfortable, but it was tense. I knew he wasn’t angry, but I couldn’t place the emotion that wasemanating from him. Whatever it was, it drew me in. My feet didn’t move, but my soul did. I was in the moment with him, and there was something so open and vulnerable about it. The intensity of his stare was overwhelming, and as hard as I tried to look away, I couldn’t.

I felt something. I felt it so intensely that it scared me.

My lips parted, and a huff of air escaped.

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