Page 42 of The Seven Month Itch
I get lost in his scent. The pine has faded since our time outdoors, but the hints of nutmeg are still there. A five-o’clock shadow dusts his sharp jawline. Preston’s thin lips move his trimmed mustache that brushed against my neck with each kiss.
“Did you hear me?”
Crap.
“Huh?” I blink. “Sorry. What did you say?” He really is a beautiful distraction.
A dimple peeks out when his lips twitch. “Something freaked you out, and I want to understand.”
I run my fingers through my hair. How the heck do I explain this? “It’s a long story.”
“Unless you have a bedtime, that doesn’t matter to me.”
I smile at his reaction.Guess we’re doing this.“Okay,” I say with a sigh. “I told you I separated from my ex, but one thing I didn’t tell you is that he’s here at the singles’ retreat. This is the first time we’ve seen each other in seven months. It’s a shock, to say the least.”
He frowns. “Sounds like it.”
I nod. “Not only did we run into each other, but the woman who dated him in college before me—and still wants him after fifteen years—is also here. He says there was never anything between them while we were together, but tonight…they were in the theater, a few rows behind us, going at it.”
My life is a bad drama, and I’m the star of the show.
Everything fell into perspective tonight. All of the hurt I’ve carried since our split. Madison. It’s too much.
I squeeze my eyes shut. How do you heal when the wounds won’t stop?
Preston places his hand over mine. “That is a lot for anyone to handle, and I’m sorry you have to deal with this. But I have to ask, are you ready to move on, or are you pushing yourself because your ex is with another woman?”
His question is fair. It’s a reality check. I don’t want to be anyone’s rebound or make him mine. I’ll admit seeing Terrence with Madison triggered my jealousy. Whowouldn’twant someone to make them forget after seeing that? But there’s something about Preston that goes beyond physical attraction. At least, I think.
“I won’t lie and say I’m not emotional after catching them together.” Even with a laugh, my voice shakes, but I push through. “Terrence swore he was faithful during our marriage, and seeing him now with the very person I questioned makes me wonder if he ever was.” I take Preston’s hand. “But our time together today opened me up for the first time in months. All I wanted tonight was to kiss you without thinking about anything or anybody else.”
His thumb slides over my cheek in a soft caress. “It sounds like you still have to figure some things out. I’m no relationship expert, but it might be good to sort out how you feel.”
Crap, here comes the rejection. I’ve had enough to last two lifetimes and stand before he continues. “Understood. Sorry to send mixed signals. Good night, Preston.”
He grabs my hand. His eyes search mine. “I never said I don’t want to see you. Why are you leaving?”
Running forces me to protect my heart when I want to stay.
I take in his words. My gaze lands on our joined hands. He’s not pushing me away? “I thought that would be best?” Our eyes meet. “I’m honestly out of my element with this whole dating thing.”
He stands and pulls me into his strong chest. Sandalwood and nutmeg wrap me in an embrace. The man smells good. “So wetake it slow,” he says in a whisper against my ear. “We get to know each other and see if this goes beyond the retreat.” The kiss to my cheek is soft and assuring. Can I trust him with my heart when I’m still healing from my ex? “Come on. Let’s get you home.”
We walk back to my room with unspoken words and uncertainty as a chaperone between us. My life is a mess—a hot-ass mess, if I’m being honest. But for once, I have zero expectations. I want to live in the moment without thinking about my ex, our divorce, or what will happen a month from now.
When we reach my door, Preston lifts my chin to meet his eyes. God, he’s so intense. “I had a good time tonight.”
“So did I,” I say in a quiet voice.
“Can I see you tomorrow?”
“That depends on whether or not you dance.”
His brow lifts before realization sets in. “Oh yes, the salsa lessons for the singles’ retreat. I take it you’re going?”
“Actually, Emma signed us up.”
“Then I’ll be there. Maybe we could do lunch before?”
