Page 99 of Phishing for Love
Basically, I’m in a state of confusion. I know Aaron likes me and I like him, but neither of us are doing anything about it. The rational part of me acknowledges it’s wise not to jump into another relationship after I’ve only just emerged from a long-term one. Aaron is clearly giving me space. Which is good. I needit. But, come on, notthatmuch space. He’s attracted to me, I know he is, but for whatever reason, I sense he’s wary. And he’s holding back.
I’m definitely frustrated. At myself. At Aaron. At this stupid coffee machine that’s taking so long to brew one cup of coffee. I mean, how hard can it be? It has one purpose in life.
Aaron smirks. “Now who’s grumpy.”
“I’m not grumpy,” I snap, glaring at the offending machine as it painfully squeezes out one minuscule drop. Every caffeine-deprived cell in my body is groaning in protest. “Did you sabotage it?”
Ignoring my question, Aaron drains the last of his coffee. “Mmm-hmm,” he mimics me in a mocking tone. “Delicious.”
I start tapping my foot.
His gaze travels down the length of my skinny jeans. I glimpse his knuckles tighten around the mug he’s holding. “You’re wearing those boots,” he says, an edge to his voice.
I glance down. Well, would you look at that. I am wearing my sexy suede ankle books. Time to poke the bear. “Something wrong with these boots?” I ask, all innocence.
He swallows, looks away. “No.”
“You sure? You look bothered.”
“You can wear whatever shoes you want.” His eyes hold mine. “Just like I can send whatever emojis I want.”
An ill-defined warning sounds in my brain. I ignore it. “Your stupid dolphin reference is driving me crazy.”
A smile curves his lips. “Still having trouble working it out?”
“I’m tempted to send you an emoji you’ll have no trouble deciphering.”
He makes a tsk-tsk sound. “Giving up so quickly?”
“Argh, sometimes I want to strangle you!”
His eyes gleam with sudden interest. “So that’s your kink.”
For a second, I’m too astonished to reply. “What?” I finally sputter. “No!”
He gives a rueful head shake. “It’s always the shy ones.”
At last, the machine finishes, and I grab my coffee and take a desperate gulp. “First off, I’m not shy.”
He winks. “Not where it counts.”
I’m frozen in place. I don’t understand. How did the tables turn so quickly? “Stop misinterpreting my words.”
“It’s okay,” he reassures me, nudging me out the way so he can brew a second cup. “You don’t have to hide from me. I can take whatever you throw my way.”
This conversation is like a runaway train. I’m trying my best to jump off, but I keep missing my opportunity.
“I’m going now,” I announce, aiming for a dignified exit.
“Off you go.” He dips his head to murmur in my ear, “I’m keeping an eye on you, my shy little strangler.”
Despite all the people piled in the conference room, I’m aware of only one. Aaron fills the room with his presence, looking so big and capable and handsome he knocks the breath from me.
My stomach is still fluttering from our conversation this morning. His words are spinning in my head like the swing ride at a fair, leaving me dizzy and off-kilter.
It’s the last month of summer and the sun is streaming through the conference room windows. The air conditioner is on full blast, but I can’t shake my hot and flustered feeling. Only I don’t think I can blame my flushed state on the weather.
As inconspicuously as I can, I track Aaron moving around the conference room. I’m aware of the deep rumble of his laugh. The way his hand hangs loosely at his side, those long, capable fingers. The man moves with such a sureness and ease in his own skin, it gives me almost painful pleasure to watch him.
