Page 34 of Unpredictable
“So, is that the winner?” I indicated the tie clutched between her fingers.
She looked down at it, as if surprised to see she was still holding it. She nodded, and I expected her to hand it over to me. Instead, she draped it over her shoulder, reaching up to flip the collar of my shirt. With deft fingers, she looped the tie around my neck, bringing us even closer. I watched her lips, listened to the sound of her breathing, and wondered if she could hear my heart drumming against my ribs. It was impossible to deny the attraction between us, but this close, it was even more difficult to ignore.
She kept her attention on my tie, executing the Windsor knot with the precision and care I’d come to associate with her. Her jasmine scent was like a drug, and unable to resist, I settled my hands on her hips.
She stilled, and her eyes flicked to mine before returning to the tie. This close, I could see the faint smattering of freckles on her cheeks, the dark flutter of her eyelashes. I tipped my forehead to hers, our breath mingling as I struggled for control.
I groaned, tightening my grip on her hips. Her chest rose and fell, brushing against mine. My dick jerked in response; surely, she could feel her effect on me.
“This is…” She rasped. “A bad idea.” She placed her hands on my chest, but it felt more like she was clutching me to her rather than pushing me away.
“Why?”
I knew she was right, but I still wanted to hear it. Wanted to know why I couldn’t taste those lips or do any number of things I wanted. Because at the moment, my body was overriding my brain.
“Because…” Her lips parted, and I wanted to take them in mine, claim them.
“Because…?” I leaned in, a breath away from kissing her.
The doorbell rang, and she jolted. “Because the party’s about to start. Excuse me.”
Right. She was here for a job, and I was hanging on her every word.
“Of course. I’ll go with you.”
I placed my hand on her lower back, needing to maintain some connection. We stepped into the hallway and nearly collided with Reg, who was jogging up the stairs.
“Hey, man.” He paused, glancing between Juliana and me. “I was just coming to get you. Jas texted. They’re headed this way.”
Jas was responsible for running interference with Connor and Olivia. She was supposed to pick them up and “take them to dinner,” then reroute to my house before they ever made it to the restaurant. So far, everything seemed to be going according to plan.
“Great,” I said, trying to ignore his questioning gaze. “Reg, this is Juliana. Juliana, this is my best friend and former teammate, Reginald Hawkins.”
Reg rolled his eyes at the use of his full name and held out his hand. “Juliana, huh?” He grinned, and I glared at him, silently pleading with him to keep his big mouth shut for once. “Nice to meet you. You’re the wedding planner, right?”
“Yes.” She smiled, though I detected a hint of nervousness on her part as she shifted from one foot to the other. “I was just updating Harrison on the progress of the preparations. And now I’m headed back downstairs.”
“Actually,” he said. “I was hoping to talk to you…” He paused, and my heart stalled out momentarily. “About planning a twentieth-anniversary surprise for my wife.”
“Sure.” Her shoulders relaxed, and mine did too. “I’d be happy to help. Let me grab one of my business cards, and we can set up a time to talk.”
“Great.” Reg smiled.
She rushed downstairs as if eager to escape. I moved to follow her, but Reg put his hand to my chest. “What was that about?”
“What was what about?” I asked, feigning ignorance.
“‘Preparations’?” He nudged me with his elbow, his tone rife with insinuation.
“It was nothing, Reg.”
“Mm-hmm.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “I saw the way you two looked at each other, and that was definitely not nothing.”
“Yeah, well, it was one time. And nothing more is going to happen.” Nothing had happened in the weeks since then. Despite several meetings, a flurry of texts, flirting—nothing had, in fact, happened.
“Why not?”
I blew out a breath. “Look—it’s complicated.”
