Page 85 of Into These Eyes
When her eyes meet mine again, her makeup-free face flushes a lovely pink. Yet, she doesn’t move, doesn’t run away, doesn’t make an offhand comment to diffuse the tension between us. She doesn’t even avert her gaze.
Benny’s words come flying at me.Dickhead, she wants you.
The thought that the old man might very well be right, blows my mind. If only it were true, that’d make me feel like a king instead of the worthless man standing before her.
Turning around, she fiddles with a few switches on the coffee machine before facing me again. “It’s ready for you.”
“Thanks,” I mumble.
Then she walks toward me, making no attempt to cover herself. I keep my eyes on her face, but it’s impossible not to catch every bounce and sway of those full breasts. My heartbeat pounds in my ears as she stops right in front of me. It’s only when her eyes shift to the side, that I realise I’m unintentionally blocking her exit. Turning sideways, I let her slip past.
As she walks down the hallway toward her bedroom, I watch those perfect little arse cheeks tense and relax. Then remember, “Oh, I ah … couldn’t find any instant coffee last time, and I’m not sure how to use that complex machine.”
“I’ll be back in a sec,” she calls out as she disappears into her room.
Resting my elbows on the breakfast bar, I shove a hand in my hair and will my disobedient dick to deflate.Christ. How the fuck am I going to survive the torture of seeing her every day, fully clothed or not?
Except … she certainly didn’t seem offended by my reaction to her.
No. I don’t know that. I know nothing. The last time I had anything to do with a girl, I was a stupid teenager. I wouldn’t have a clue if I’m reading her right.
If I make a wrong move, she’ll kick my arse out.
I can’t risk it. Not if I want to keep her safe.
Besides, how can I trust Benny’s reasoning? What the hell does he know?
And there’s the cold hard fact that my dreams never come true.
Okay, she turned up on my doorstep. She believes I’m innocent. She seems to have fun with me. She asked me to move in with her, for fuck’s sake.
All of them dreams. All of them now a reality.
None of which means the ultimate dream will eventuate.
If I screw up or overstep boundaries, not only will she drop my bid to have my conviction quashed, I’ll loseher.
Hearing her footsteps padding down the hallway, I make a beeline to the coffee machine. As she sidles up beside me, I discover she’s put on a light summer robe. Only she’s failed to tie the sash that keeps it closed. And although those amazing breasts are now covered by another layer of material, what I failed to check out last time, entices my gaze lower. To that sleek V between her thighs.
“Beans are in here.” She takes a step back and opens the cupboard at her knees. “I filled it up this morning, so you won’t need to worry for a few days, but this is where they go.” She flips a lid on top of the machine to show me.
“I’m happy to have instant. You don’t—”
She gasps, bringing a hand to her chest as if I just insulted her. “Don’t you ever,everbring instant coffee into this house. I take this liquid gold seriously. Got it?”
I chuckle. Apparently, she’s not amused.
“Right,” I quickly say, and focus on the machine as she shows me where to put my mug and which button to use depending on what I want. I choose a long coffee and start the griding of beans and flow of dark liquid.
“Sugar?” she asks.
“Yeah, just one.”
She reaches into the cupboard at her knees again and produces a clear container filled with raw sugar.
“Oh, spoon,” she says. Her warm hand grips my waist as she reaches around to my other side, opens a drawer by my hip, and plucks out a spoon.
I stand stock-still, trying to remember how to draw breath into my lungs.
