Page 120 of Cerulean Truth
“One of the perks of portals—no customs.” I winked.
She stared at me as I cut the ends and took out a lighter.
“You seem…” she began, hesitating slightly.
I raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to continue.
“… relaxed?” she finished, her voice soft with uncertainty. I breathed a silent sigh of relief, grateful she hadn’t detected my inner nerves, and offered her a cigar.
“Is that not a good look on me?” I quipped as she accepted it, lighting her end with practiced ease.
“It’s a confusing one,” she retorted, exhaling a wisp of smoke, but her voice remained soft.
“Hard not to be relaxed after a good steak, great Scotch, and a fine cigar,” I remarked casually.
Her smile widened. “And my good company, of course.”
“That, I could do without,” I teased, prompting her to playfully punch my arm. I barked out a laugh.
She blinked, quickly masking her surprise at the sound coming out of my mouth.
“You know, a lot of men would be quite honored by my presence,” she huffed.
“And with good reason,” I added truthfully. She frowned, clearly confused by my conflicting statements.
"You, James Walker, are a very confusing man," Emma declared, her tone laced with frustration.
I chuckled softly. "And you, Emma Thompson, are a very challenging woman.”
She rolled her eyes, clearly displeased by my response.
“That was actually a compliment,” I remarked.
“Didn’t sound like one,” she muttered, putting her lips around the shaft of the cigar, sending a jolt through me.
Maybe this wasn’t the best plan after all.
I averted my eyes and tried to think of the Maumars until the images of her putting her lips aroundmyshaft vanished.
Taking a long draw from my cigar, I let the smooth smoke swirl in my mouth, the sensation calming my racing thoughts. Glancing sideways, I caught sight of Emma, her face illuminated by the moonlight. I’d never been a poet but seeing her like that, made me wish I were.
Something deep inside of me stirred. Something that had been asleep for a long time.
“You’re a beautiful woman,” I said, my voice hoarse.
Her eyes snapped to mine, widened in surprise and obvious shock.
Her lips parted but no sound came out. Apparently, by actually complementing her, I had achieved the impossible: rendering miss lawyer completely speechless.
I held her gaze and smiled slowly, adding, “How’s that for a compliment?”
She swallowed hard, her eyes still locked on mine, searching for something I couldn't quite make out.
My heart started pounding, and oxygen seemed inexplicably scarce.
Then, she broke out one of the most beautiful smiles I’d ever seen and said, “Needs work.”
I laughed, caught off guard by her playful reply, and she joined in. This woman was making me…
