Page 29 of Crazy Love

“Thank you,” I whisper.

His eyes are on my lips and he nods, distracted. “Mm-hmm,” he says, his voice husky.

He swallows hard and takes a step back, his hand going in his hair as he takes a deep breath. I want him to kiss me more than I want my next breath, but I reach out and squeeze his hand instead. It’s enough to give me all the tingles, and I nearly laugh at the insane level of desire I feel for this man. It’s crazy. What is it about him that checks all my boxes?

I let go of his hand and hurry past him.He’s not boyfriend material, I tell myself a dozen times as I go inside and shut the door. When I peek out the window, he’s still sitting in his vehicle. I jump back, hoping he didn’t see me, and attempt to not obsess over the man all night long.

CHAPTER NINE

SCRITCHY SCRATCHY

PENN

On Monday morning, I can’t be still. I’m antsy, restless…wired. I’m not a nervous person, dammit, but my skin prickles with tension. It’s ridiculous. I roll my shoulders, crack my knuckles, anything to shake it off as I walk into the training center.

I’ve been this way since leaving Addy at her door on Saturday night.

The buzz hits me before I even make it to the conference room. Adeline Evans, the new registered dietitian. Her name floats in the air, passing from one conversation to another.

Great. This tension isn’t going anywhere.

There’s talk about how hot she is, while I struggle not to lose it on my teammates.

I do not understand what’s happened to me.

First, kissing her. Then, thinking about her nonstop. And now? She’s in my work environment, where I’m supposed to focus. Those flirty eyes and that mouth—God, that mouth. How the hell am I supposed to do my job with her right here, stirring shit up inside my head?

She’s a constant itch under my skin, and I can’t scratch her out.

I push open the conference room door, and she’s the first one I see. She looks stunning in a skirt that hits her knees, her long legs perfectly shaped, and a red blouse that highlights her amazing body. Her hair catches the light and it’s so shiny. I curse under my breath. This is going to be impossible.

Coach Evans introduces her to the team, for all those who missed the announcement at the picnic on Saturday, and she stands there, professional and polished. Everyone’s watching her, nodding along as she explains her approach. I should be listening, but I’m trying to get my damn thoughts in order.

Later, she meets with each of us one-on-one to discuss food preferences, goals, and needs. When it’s my turn, the air in the room shifts. She’s not the same Addy from the restaurant the other night. Adeline is quieter, more reserved…distant.

I hate it.

But then she closes her door and her whole body relaxes. “Hey,” she says, smiling warmly.

“Hey.” My shoulders loosen as she motions for me to sit across from her. “How’s it going so far?”

“Everyone’s being really great…willing to try new things and open about hearing my ideas.”

“I’m glad.”

She smiles, and for a second, we just stare at each other. Damn, when will this feeling of wanting to kiss her senseless go away? My leg starts bouncing.

She glances at her clipboard, smiling down at it. “Okay, let’s start with the basics. Any dietary restrictions?”

“No.”

She nods, jotting it down. “Food preferences? Things you don’t like?”

“I eat what’s put in front of me. Not picky. Except I do love a gas station run every now and then.”

Her pen pauses mid-note, and her eyes lift to mine, her expression playful. “That’s fine if it really is just once in a while.”

I exhale through my nose, shifting in my seat when her teeth slide over her bottom lip. I don’t think she even realizes she’s doing it, but it’s making me hard as a rock.

---