Page 74 of Hold Me Instead
“I had a feeling you’d be here before anyone else,” he said. “How are you today?”
“Much better. Sleep helped.” His texts in the evening to check on her had also put her on a euphoric cloud that had lulled her to said sleep.
“Good.” His gaze traveled over her face, roamed her body, his mouth twitching when he reached her feet. “Those sneakers…”
She threw her hands on her hips in mock annoyance. “What about them?”
“I like them. Part of your uniform. But they say a lot about you.”
Charlie glanced down, her berry sneakers their normal selves. “What do they say?”
“They’re bright, obviously. Matches your personality.”
“Well, that’s sweet,” Charlie mumbled, her heart rate picking up as Zachary inched the final distance toward her.
“They’re clearly a go-to.”
“True. When these finally wear out, I’ll just buy another pair.”
“Same color?”
“Most likely. Predictable?”
He chuckled, his fingers brushing hers as his warm scent invaded her space. “Reliable.”
“Oh.” Charlie’s mouth twitched, the game amusing and somehow extremely titillating.
“Charming,” he added.
“You know, they do wink at me daily.” Her eyes darted away from his, down to their hands as his fingers clung more boldly to hers, despite her bad joke.
“Strong.”
“My shoes are strong?” Her voice was strained, his closeness interrupting her brain waves with thoughts ofcloser,please.
“Kind.”
“Okay, now I’m questioning your observational skills.”
“Feisty.”
She sighed. “I can see that one.”
“Charlie.”
Her eyes locked on his instantly when her name fell softly from his lips, her stomach executing a clumsy flip of excitement. His use of any part of her name held a weight no one else could replicate.
“Yes?” It was a whisper, her heartbeat so fast she could jumpstart his.
His fingers tangled with hers as the other hand traveled her arm, sending rays of heat over her torso, until he cupped her jaw in his palm. Their feet nestled together, his closeness a calming blanket that made her want to curl up inside him.
His brown eyes caught a glint of light from the window, small flecks of gold more visible the closer his face inched toward hers. The rugged stubble on his face marred his normally pressed look in a sexy way he surely underestimated. She bit her lip in anticipation.
Zachary brushed the backs of his fingers against her cheek and tucked her hair behind her ear. “Want to have dinner with me tonight?” he asked.
“Yes.”
He smiled, breaking out those laugh lines. She gave in to temptation and traced her finger over one, pressing into it when his smile grew, effectively deepening the happy crease.
