Page 51 of When I Had You

“The blue burns brighter like where the deep ocean meets the shallow waters when our eyes meet.”

Her breath staggers, and the grin fades as she takes one more step closer, the gap too small to change our minds. Marina looks up at me, sheepishly placing her hands on my chest. “You saw all that from across the street?” she whispers.

“That, and you shoving a piece of chocolate in your mouth.” I don’t whisper. Kissing her is something I want to do, but I know I shouldn’t, especially in front of a dry cleaner in the West Village. “Ouch!” I duck out from our proximity in defense mode before she whacks me in the chest again. Chuckling, I add, “You were hot even with chocolate smeared on the side of your lips. It was tempting to lick it off.”

“You should have,” she smarts, crossing her arms over her chest and walking away from me.

“Challenge accepted.”

“Good,” she says, like it’s a threat.

I can play this game. “Great.” I jog to catch up and see her trying so hard not to give me a smile. Reaching over, I rub her lower back. “If it matters, the only reason I didn’t is because Cullen was there. I’m sure you understand.”

“Of course, I understand. But why do you get me so worked up—angry and . . .?” Her lips purse as frustration anchors her brows downward.

“And?”

As if an epiphany hits her in the head, her hand covers her forehead, and she halts on the sidewalk. Her gaze slides to me when I stop beside her. “I really dislike you sometimes, but I’m so attracted to you at the same time. It’s really annoying, actually.”

“We’re opposites, baby.” I shrug and keep walking.

She’s not quick to catch up to me, though, which has me wondering if she’s going to or if I’m going to eat alone tonight. Hurried footsteps trail me, getting louder and then I’m bumped from behind. “This is what I mean.”

This time, I stop, staring down at her because I guess we’re not through going in circles. “What do you mean?”

“You walk away—”

“You walked away not one block down.” My arm extends in the direction we came from, but I lower it. I’m a big guy. Although she’s not the shortest girl around, I’m quite a bit larger. I save the intimidation tactics for the track and leave them in the paddock for the other guys.

Crossing her arms over her chest again, she raises her chin. “That’s different.”

“How so?”

Her head jerks back as if the question is an affront to her character. I scoff, staring into the distance, trying to figure her the fuck out.

“It just is. I was teasing you.”

When I look back, I say, “You argue with me just to argue and to get a rise out of me. You get what you want, and then you don’t want it. Make it make sense, Marina.”

“Well . . .” She looks as confused as I am. When she doesn’t come up with anything, she throws her arms up. “I have no idea.”

“Is this how you flirt or a character flaw—”

Her fisted hands fly to her hips. “Wow, now I have flaws? Low blow, Ryatt.”

“Interesting how you suddenly know my name.”

“Your name doesn’t matter.” She moves to the other side of me, flouncing her hot self around. “I have your number.”

“Phone number? I know since you don’t stop calling me.”

Fuck. Too far.

I cringe, closing my eyes and rubbing my temple.

When I open my eyes again, the hurt I’ve caused her permeates her pretty features. “I didn’t mean it.”

This time, she walks away without saying a word. There’s no rush to her pace, so I walk behind her, giving her a bit of space before invading it again. “Your calls are one of the best parts of my day.” She stops with her back to me. “An hour before, I’m finding a fucking snack and placing my water on the nightstand so I’m ready when you call.”

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