Page 21 of Fixing to Be Mine

“We’re a good team,” I say, grinning. “Have to warn ya though. You’re gonna feel every moment of working with me tomorrow.”

She chews on that bottom lip again, and I take a step forward, gently grabbing her chin.

“Please, stop doing that.”

“What?” She looks up at me.

“Biting on your lip like that. Drives me fuckin’ wild,” I mutter. And, damn, I want to kiss her more than I want my next breath.

“It’s a habit when I’m nervous.”

“I make you nervous?” I whisper.

“Yes, because I feel like I already know you and shouldn’t,” she admits.

That hits deep in my heart, and I take a step back. Not because I want to, but because I need to, before I rush this and fuck up any chance I might have. My hands flex at my sides like they’re still reaching for her.

“I understand what you mean.”

She doesn’t seem surprised. It’s mutual.

“Yeah?” she asks, louder than a whisper.

“Yeah,” I confirm, my voice rougher than it was a second ago. It’s not something I can deny.

“I don’t know how to do this,” she says.

“Do what?” I ask.

“Be single,” she admits.

“You just have tobe,” I mutter. “That’s it. Nothing else.”

For a beat, neither of us moves as the current between us hums.

She clears her throat, breaks the gaze, but not like she’s retreating, more like she’s gaining control.

“I could use a shot of something hard,” she says, but there’s grit under her tone.

“Got plenty in the kitchen,” I offer.

She hesitates for half a second before she turns. And, God, the way her hips sway when she walks away is like a dare.

“Will you join me?”

“Fuck yes,” I mutter under my breath, hands braced on my hips.

I watch her go, every cell in my body trailing after her like I’ve already made up my mind. I don’t know how long she’ll stay, but I’ll take every damn second of getting to know her better.

I join her in the kitchen and pull bottles out of the cabinet. Her fingertips tap the tequila bottle like she’s sizing it up.

“Is that a worm?” she asks, holding it up with a raised brow.

“It’s how you know it’s legit,” I say, grabbing two shot glasses and filling them full.

We pick them up, and she lifts hers without hesitation. “To learning new things.”

“To meeting the right people,” I add.