Page 26 of Tinder Embrace
The rusty offer sounded foreign to my own ears, but Sophie looked pleased by my invitation.
"Sure, that sounds great." She rubbed her arms. "It was chilly tonight.
"I don't know why y'all insist on hanging around outside year-round," I grumbled. "You're lucky you don't catchnasty colds."
She shook her head ruefully, following me into the kitchen. "If anything, spending time together outside lets us keep germs to a minimum. Plenty of fresh air. Besides, my immune system is amazing."
"That's a weird flex."
Sophie grinned. "It's one of my teaching superpowers. I never get sick."
"Maybe because you spend so much time around your little germ factories," I muttered, lighting the stove for the kettle.
I leaned back against the counter, eyes narrowing. Sophie limped as she walked the couple of steps to the kitchen table. Her face relaxed as she slid into a chair, and I frowned. I pulled an ice pack from my freezer, dropping it on the table in front of her. "Here."
"Thanks."
"Chamomile okay?"
Was it my imagination that her lips twitched?
"Something funny 'bout that?"
Sophie sobered. "Nope. Thanks, Davis."
I pivoted, focusing on measuring out the tea into my pot, ready to steep when the water boiled. Keeping my hands busy lessened the temptation. I shook my head. Who was I kidding? Sophie was going to tempt me no matter what. My helplessness soured my mood.
"What are you sulking about?"
Sophie's soft question made me scowl. I pivoted from staring at the kettle to frown at her.
"Men don't sulk."
"Bullshirt."
"We brood," I claimed.
"Oh, honey,no. Sweetie, didn’t anyone tell you? Those are synonyms." The syrupy pity in her expression made me snort.
The kettle whistled, and I poured, grateful for the momentary escape.
"You didn't answer my question," Sophie said. "What are you sulking about?"
Everything in me ached to escape. I debated sliding her mug across the table and retreating to my room. But it would be cowardly, and Sophie would call me on it. As much as I didn't want to share, I also didn't want to disappoint her. I took my time pouring our tea before joining her at the table.
I paused, staring at the graceful arch of her brows, the way her dark hair swept across her chin. The ruddy pink in her cheeks hinted at her evening outdoors.
"Sometimes we want what we can't have," I finally answered. It was as close to a confession as I was willing to give.
Sophie toyed with her mug, tracing the litter of kittens that frolicked across the ceramic in a playful tumble. Slowly, her gaze rose to mine, her brown eyes dark with something I couldn't name.
"That can be true," she admitted, watching me carefully. "I can't control if I win the lottery." Her mouth turned down. "Or, apparently, if I crash my balloon." Her gaze lifted back to mine. "But I canreach for what I want. You miss all the chances you don't take. I don't want to let fear of failure hold me back from the good things in life." She sipped at her mug, smiling wryly. “And maybe if I tell myself that enough, I’ll begin to believe it.”
I sipped at my tea, considering her words. Judging by the way the air crackled, sex between us would not just be good, but possibly one of the most epic things in life. But if I was wrong?
"Failure can be expensive. Not trying is cheap."
Sophie tilted her head as if considering my words. "True, but sometimes you get what you pay for."
