Page 93 of Into These Eyes
“Until I can’t keep my eyes open, yeah. I’ve got a few cases to work on and … Liam’s affidavit disappeared from the server, so I need to re-do that too.”
She said it so offhandedly, I almost missed it. “What?”
“It’s fine,” she sighs. “I recorded the whole thing, so I just need to retype it. Obviously, I won’t make the mistake of saving it in only one place again.”
“Has that happened before?”
“Well, no. But there’s a first time for everything.”
I don’t like the sound of that, especially since it means taking more of her time when it’s clearly stretched thin already.
“Anyway, what’re you up to tonight?” she asks.
“I was planning on reading something, but I haven’t spotted a bookcase around here. You don’t read? For pleasure, I mean.”
Finishing her mouthful, she nods. “I do. When I’m not stacked up with briefs.”
She slips off her stool, hurries into the living room and comes back with a thin rectangular object. Placing it between us, she opens the cover. The screen comes to life, showing what looks like a page in a book.
“This is a Kindle,” she explains. “I don’t have a bookcase, because this thing can hold about a thousand books.”
I stare at it in astonishment. “A thousand?”
Her eyes sparkle. Clearly, she enjoys showing me everything I’ve missed out on, and I love that she wants to.
After giving me a quick tour of the device, I ask, “So I can read anything already on here?”
She snaps the cover closed. “No. I’ll have to get you one and set up an account for you.” Grabbing her phone, she taps away at the screen.
“Maybe I can pick one up at the shops?”
She snickers as she puts her phone down. “There is no shop. It’ll be delivered tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?”
“Sure. We don’t live in the dark ages anymore.”
“Unbelievable,” I mumble as I take another bite, eyeing the device she won’t let me use. I hadn’t missed the numerous bookcovers displaying half naked men during her little tour. “But for tonight, I could just read something you already have, right?” When I reach for it, she slides it out of reach.
“I don’t think so.”
I raise my eyebrows and smile. “What’ve you got on there?”
“What’ve you got under here?” She reaches out and taps the tattoo through my t-shirt. Without thinking, I grab her hand and press it to my chest, the warmth of her palm seeping much deeper than my skin. Her eyes widen a little, but she doesn’t try to pull away.
“It’s a heart … You feel it beating?”
Our eyes hold for far too long before she pulls her hand free. “Smartarse.”
Eager to change the subject, I complain about having nothing to read. She soon solves that problem by demanding access to my phone and moving her stool right up against mine. Naturally, my arm finds its way to her backrest, allowing her to lean in close while she shows me how to get all the books I want for free. I’m not sure how much I take in. It’s difficult to concentrate on anything other than the closeness of her body, her scent, and the occasional brush of her bare leg against mine. I’m sure she’s paid for something, but she’s not letting on. Which makes me believe she understands how it feels to be a man who can’t even support himself, let alone someone else.
The thing is, she’s having so much fun, is so enthusiastic and animated, I don’t want to be the one to take that away by rejecting her kindness and generosity.
When we begin eating again, I say softly, “This is nice.”
“It’s more than nice. It’s delicious.” She raises her fork and takes the last bite of lasagne.
“I didn’t mean the food. I meant sharing it with someone. Other than criminals. You don’t eat with your mouth open and you’re much easier on the eye.” She stiffens beside me.Shit.
