Page 76 of The Broken Heart Playlist
Lisset’s voice breaks the spell. I blink, like I’m coming out of a trance.
“Do you like my dress?” she asks, twirling to show off her lavender jersey dress.
“Very pretty,” he compliments her. He opens the back door of his Jeep and tips an imaginary hat. “Your carriage, my princess.”
She laughs in delight and clambers inside. He closes her door and moves to open the car door for me. But I’m already there and reaching for the door handle.
The tips of his fingers brush against the back of my hand. They linger there and I feel the charged vibration of that whisper of a touch dance its way across my skin.
His eyes find mine. “Allow me.”
“Thank you,” I breathe out, pinned by the knowing look in those eyes.
“My pleasure.”
His proximity, the alluring smell of his soap, and the way that wordpleasurerolls on his tongue leave me boneless. He’s activated something between us and there’s not a rational thought in my brain right now.
Just as I’m about to slide into his car, he whispers in my ear, “Royal Flush, my Queen.”
It’s the hand that trumps a straight flush.
He’s treating this car ride like the date I insisted it would be. It dawns on me then that I’m playing against a man who’s mastered a game I’m still trying to learn.
Gideon parks on the street and we walk toward my parents’ house together. Lisset skips ahead of us. I glance over at the bouquet of pink peonies he’s brought my mom. His thoughtfulness will capture her loyalty right off the bat.
“Flowers,” I remark as we make our way up the walkway. “You are such a charmer.”
“All part of my diabolical plan to win your family over.”
“You’ve never given me flowers,” I point out.
“You’re not a flowers person.”
“You’re right.” I’m reluctantly impressed. “Was that a wild guess?”
“An educated one.”
I arch an eyebrow at him. “Educate me then.”
“You’re a practical person. Flowers might be pretty, but they aren’t practical.”
“What would I prefer?” I ask, unable to resist testing him.
His eyes narrow and I can tell he’s giving my question serious consideration. “A potted plant. A hanging basket. Something pretty, but also something that won’t die in a few days.”
Quiet falls between us.
He knows me.
The front door flings open and Tess stands there, hands on her hips. “WHERE’S MY GORGEOUS NIECE?”
I wince.
Lisset hurries up the steps and throws her arms around her aunt. Tess greets Gideon, but her attention is on me. She can’t stop blinking in shock at my outfit.
“Are you planning on letting us in?” I ask pointedly since she’s still absently blocking the doorway.
“Oh, yeah, sure.”
