Page 25 of Giddy-Up
Maybe he’s afraid you’re gonna sue him for a workplace injury?
Yes.That’s probably it.
After placing her plate on the coffee table, Wade took a seat in the armchair next to her, his own mug of coffee in hand.
So, I guess he’s not leaving.
She started to squirm.Why wasn’t he leaving?Or saying anything.
Say something.It’s so quiet.
“Uh...”An actual sentence, Riley.“Um.So.Um.I’m not going to sue you.”
Coffee sprayed from Wade’s mouth, followed by a short sharp laugh.“What?”
Riley realized her mistake immediately.That was a random thing to say.She really needed to stop blurting out everything that came into her head.It just always felt so much harder than it should be.
“Sorry,” she rushed out.“I was thinking about that earlier, so it was on my mind, and that’s why...just forget I said that please.Thank you for the grilled cheese.”
“You were thinking about suing me earlier?”That didn’t sound like forgetting to her.
Riley sighed.“Yeah.I was wondering why you were being so nice to me.Carrying me home.Getting me ice.Coffee.Sandwiches.Then I thought that maybe you were worried that I’d sue you.Like those accident at work ads you see.And maybe that was why you were doing all this stuff.So, I just wanted you to know that I’m not gonna sue you.”
She needed to stop talking.Food will make you stop.Quickly leaning forward, she grabbed her plate and her grilled cheese and got to work stuffing her mouth.Expertly avoiding Wade’s big blue eyes which were now penetrating her skin.
“You think that’s why I’m here?”
She didn’t answer.Her mouth was full of cheese.But she did meet his gaze, which was enough apparently for him to continue.
“Riley, I like you.Did I not make that clear enough last night?”
Riley gulped.Even though she’d already swallowed her sandwich.
Wade rose from the chair, his mug going to the table as he leaned into her.It all happened so quickly.One minute she was gulping, the next, stubble was grazing her chin and firm lips were awakening every nerve ending.
This was not how Riley thought their next kiss would go.Ice on her ankle, plate balancing on her lap, hands in her hair angling her head.
It was over too soon, but that didn’t stop them both panting as Wade drew back.Damn.Was it normal to feel so flushed after a kiss?She was surprised her glasses hadn’t steamed up.Her insides felt like they were on fire.This couldn’t be healthy.
“Do you get why I’m here now?”Wade was still bent over, giving her a look so smouldering it should be illegal.
“’Cause you like me and want to kiss me?”
Her reply was met with a blinding smile, which helped to dispel some of the sexual tension making it hard to breathe.
“Yeah, petal.‘Cause I like you and want to kiss you.”He repeated her words back to her.Causing her own smile to bloom.
She lost his eyes for a moment as he straightened.“Now we’ve cleared that up.I’m gonna head out.I’ve got some laundry to do.”
Just minutes ago she’d wanted him to leave, so it didn’t make sense that she felt disappointed, yet she did.She wanted more of those kisses.More of the burn.But of course she didn’t say that.For once, she was well aware that this particular thought shouldn’t leave her mouth.
“Do you need anything else before I go?”Riley shook her head.Wade paused for a moment before continuing.“I think maybe you should do the laundry at my place from now on, there’s more space, so there’s less chance the ironing board is gonnacome at you.”
“At your place?”
“At my place.”He nodded.“Don’t worry, they’ll be no funny business.We’ll keep everything strictly professional.”
He’s talking about sex, right?
