Page 28 of Forbidden Bastard
Here would be fine, though Sandi deserved far more. His hand brushed against her back as he said, “I… like you too.”
She laughed softly. “Which is kind of funny, after how we met. I seriously stormed into your office in a bunny suit.”
True. She hadn't shown an ounce of caring about her appearance when she’d rushed into his office. He'd manipulated her family to have her in Paris because of Cassidy's email. “You did. It wasn’t until I saw you in the black dress that I realized you were physically attractive, as well as confident.”
She shook her head like she didn’t believe him. “I guess. I was hopped up on adrenaline and my future seemed bleak because I couldn’t sell the medical equipment that’s just sitting in my warehouse.”
Which seemed strange as she captivated him entirely, but she’d never have to sell anything again once she married him. He traced her lower back and arms. “You take the whole matchmaking idea to heart. I don’t get it though. Besides business deals, how do you think this computer algorithm is somehow better than your own instincts on the matter?”
Her lips opened and her green eyes were clear as she stared at him. “I don’t. I’ve never lived a day where responsibility wasn’t on my shoulders to handle. But I also know I’m attracted to you, Charles.”
“You are?” His voice caught in his throat.
If he kissed her again, he wouldn’t stop.
Her eyes were half-closed as if she waited for him to kiss her. “I’ve never met anyone like you.”
Sandi hadn’t searched for trouble. This was another reason to stay far away. His lips tingled as he stared at her mouth. “I’m a bad choice. My parents had sway over me as a teenager and I made horrible choices under their well meaning guidance. I spent my adult like trying to fix what I let fall apart, but I only proved my grandfather wrong because I’m not as smart he thought. And I’ve never had a relationship that didn’t end up in disaster.”
His mouth inched closer to hers, but at the last second he stopped.
If he kissed her then they were both in trouble.
She must have sensed his… hesitation. She opened her eyes, stepped back, breaking their touch, and rubbed her arms like she needed to hug herself.
“Can I ask why you and Sheena broke up?”
Good question. He motioned toward her chair so they could eat dessert. She slipped into her seat and waited for him.
He sat, hearing the rustle of crushed velvet under his cotton pants. “It was over long before. She cared more for her work than me. I went to her art show to tell her I was done but then I couldn’t get two minutes alone with her. I did, however, meet a lovely woman for one night.”
Her eyes widened. “You cheated.”
Yes, which was another reason he was always the wrong guy. Sheena was the closest thing to a girlfriend he’d had and he'd tossed it away. “I’m not the kind you should marry, even if I need you.”
She ate a few bites of the caramel. He tasted it because she had--delicious. And like a potato chip, disappeared fast. She wiped her lips and pushed her chair from the table. “Are you telling me this so that I'll leave?”
Heat rose in his cheeks. He stilled. “Maybe.”
She scooted her legs out and stood. “Charles, I have no idea what it’s like to not be secure growing up, and I don’t want to set myself up for failure in saying I’ll prove anything. I get the sense if I said "prove" you’d go into "disprove" mode. So instead I’ll ask--can we just take it one day at a time and see how that goes?”
Just when he figured he'd pushed her too far, she surprised him. He rose and offered his hand to shake. “Deal.”
But as she took his hand, he pulled her into his arms, and claimed her lips.
She tasted better than that caramel concoction they’d eaten for dessert. This time her sweetness hit him. For better or worse, Sandi was now here and he wanted her.
She kissed him and his hair stood on end.
She should knock him back, but she didn’t. She ran her fingers in his hair and that was it.
She was his.
Chapter 9
Sandi’s body still hummed.
The bedroom Charles directed them to last night had cream walls with blue and gold accent colors, from the bedspread tossed onto the floor, the carpet, and the window curtains that were slightly open. They hadn’t thought to draw them closed earlier.
