Page 97 of The Cinderella Arrangement

His lips smiled. “You always do that when you’re nervous.”

“Do what?”

He gave me a satisfied grin. “It’s flattering, but you don’t need to be nervous around me.”

His words sent a flash of heat up my spine. The air felt too hot as his hand gripped mine. His thumb stroked the palm of my hand and I felt a wave of dizziness so strong that I stumbled back. Will’s eyes seared through me.

“You’re tired. You need sleep."

I looked at the one bed. “So much for keeping it professional.”

“Well, I pre-booked everything when I thought we would be fucking.”

“Jesus, Will!”

He shrugged. “Relax, Natalie. I won’t touch you.”

Why not? Was he really going to deny the chemistry we had?

Still holding my hand, his head bent down to give me a chaste kiss on my cheek. He pulled back, looking pink in the face. “Thank you. For helping me.”

I felt the burn mark of his lips on my face as if he ironed it on. “No problem."

“Now go to sleep.”

“What about you?”

He shook his head. “I don’t want to sleep right now.”

He didn’t want to return to the nightmares he knew would haunt him. I let go of his hand reluctantly, but my body was screaming for sleep. The covers peeled back as I tugged, and I slid inside. Will sat on a comfortable chair near the windows. I denied the desire coursing through my veins like good whiskey. More than anything in my life, I wanted to crawl into his lap and lace my fingers around his neck. I wanted his arms wrapped around me, whispering sweet nothings in my ear.

6

I woke up to brilliant sunshine pouring into my room and propped myself up on my elbows. Will was gone. Poor guy spent the night in the chair while I slept on the bed. It was his fault for not booking separate rooms, but I still felt bad about it.

I slipped out and padded to the bathroom. The shower door sprinkled with droplets. Will took a shower while I was asleep. As I turned the water on and removed my clothes, I imagined him bursting in while I was lathering myself. A delicious shiver ran up my leg. How hot would that be?

Stop thinking about that. You’re here to do a job.

Right. I was supposed to be thinking about designs, not lusting after a man who, no matter how attractive he was, hadserious issues.

Dressing quickly after my shower, I left the room and descended the rickety staircase.

“Good morning!” said Mary when I reached the first floor. “Sleep well?”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Breakfast is in the solarium along with your husband.”

Husband?

Oh, right. William. I followed the sunshine into the next room, which poured through the glass windows. There, I found a tired looking Will surrounded by a banquet of food. He looked dead on his feet.

On the left was a table with plates and I grabbed one, loading it with food: figs stewed in tea, some concoction with grapefruit, fresh rolls, and homemade jam.

“Would you like coffee or tea? Traditional English breakfast or would you like the American version?”

I might as well go all the way. “Tea and English breakfast, thank you.”

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