Page 51 of Trophy
“Hi, there,” he murmured softly, leaning over to grab a box that had the bulb she needed. He must have noticed the light was out when he was at her place last night.
“Hi.” She felt strangely embarrassed, so she just stared down at the box. “I needed this.”
“I know you did. Why else would you come into my store?”
“Not to see you.”
“Of course not. Nothing much to see here.”
“I think there is.”
She could feel him smiling, although she still wasn’t looking at him. “That’s good to know.”
It was a silly conversation, especially since they weren’t even looking at each other. But it felt special to Allison, and it made her pulse jump in excitement. Despite her reflections just a few minutes earlier, she couldn’t bring herself to suggest they get alittle distance from each other to ensure that things didn’t get complicated.
She didn’t want distance from Rob.
She just didn’t.
“I know that’s a very good lightbulb, and you’ll be happy with it. But I have something else you might want to see in the supply room.”
This surprised her enough to look up at his face. He looked adorable—a suppressed smile twitching at the corners of his lips. “What did you want to show me?”
“It’s hard to explain. Come and see.”
She followed him without further questions. The truth was she’d probably follow him anywhere.
He led her to a cluttered room filled with all kinds of boxes and boards and shelves. He walked to the back wall and then turned down a narrow aisle that was piled floor to ceiling with boxes.
“What—” Allison began, but Rob turned her so her back was against the wall and then pressed his body into hers in a passionate kiss.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, responding to the kiss immediately, instinctively. They were in this far, hidden corner, and no one was around, but it still felt a little risky, a little dangerous. Her heart throbbed with excitement.
“Rob, what are you doing?” she mumbled, when she was finally able to break the kiss. Rob was nuzzling her neck, one of his hands sliding down to cup her bottom.
“What did you expect me to do, when you show up at my place of work looking so irresistible?”
“I’m not irresistible. I’m still wearing my Dora’s shirt.”
“I love you in that shirt. I love you in anything.” He gave her an almost predatory smile as he raised his head and stared at her hotly. “Or in nothing.”
She gave him a little hug, overwhelmed with affection and appreciation but still a little nervous about their location. “It’s good to see you too, but don’t get any ideas about going any further right here. Someone might come in.”
Rob gave an exaggerated sigh and straightened up. He didn’t look disappointed, so he must not have genuinely thought they were going to do anything other than kiss. “How was your day?”
“It was fine. Busy but not impossibly so. What about you?”
“My day got a lot better when you walked into the store.”
She laughed and reached up to stroke his face. “Seriously, anything going on?”
“Not really.” His expression changed slightly. “Actually, I was wondering if you’re free on Saturday night.”
Her eyebrows shot up, and her heart jumped. It wasn’t with apprehension, though. Irrationally, she wanted him to ask her out—despite all the reasons she knew they shouldn’t. No matter how logical she tried to be, she wanted to be closer to him and even wanted other people to know. She really hoped that didn’t make her as soft and clingy as Arthur had always thought.
“Not a date,” he said quickly, evidently misreading her surprise. “There’s this thing at the high school with the athletes and cheerleaders. Everybody goes.”
“In the middle of the summer?”
