Page 33 of In This Moment

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He debated, then said the hell with it. “Pretty, too.”

“Thank you. Not so bad yourself.”

It had been a while since he’d done this dance, but he could’ve sworn she was… “Are you flirting with me?”

“Gonna plead the fifth,” she mocked.

The little minx.

They rounded a corner, leaving Main Square behind, heading toward their subdivision. Cobblestones changed over to regular concrete sidewalks and old-world lampposts became LED streetlights. Full magnolia trees created a canopy along the curb.

The longer their pause in conversation hung, the more his fingers itched to touch. Her petal soft fair skin. Her blonde locks that created loose waves down her spine. Plush lips that begged to be kissed. Since the first instance he’d laid eyes on her, he’d found her attractive. Getting to know her better only amplified his interest.

And she was giving off vibes that implied he wasn’t alone. He could all but see, feel, and hear the crackle between them.

He just didn’t know what in the hell to do about it. Not only was he her boss and neighbor, but he wasn’t exactly in a great place to…

She’d quit walking.

Turning, he looked at her. Moonlight cast her in ethereal tones. So lovely. Starlight, actual starlight, reflected in her eyes as she stood on the sidewalk, apparently waiting for something.

He shook his head, because words failed him, and he didn’t know what she wanted.

Crickets chirped. An owl hooted.

A crinkle of her nose, and she pointed to her left.

Well, shit. Alrighty. They were home, and he hadn’t noticed.

Smile. “Goodnight, Graham. See you tomorrow.”

Sighing heavily, he watched her walk into her house and out of sight.

Chapter Nine

It was insane. Chaotically insane.

Rebecca closed and locked the Gazette door just after noon, flipping the sign for lunch. Between emails, call-outs, articles in the paper, and word of mouth, it had been a zoo all morning. Townsfolk had cleared the shelves of framed prints. Many of the single sleeves in boxes had been purchased, too. It seemed their efforts had paid off. At least, with foot traffic, anyway. She’d no sooner opened the door at nine, and a steady stream had filtered in all morning.

The two of them barely had a chance to breathe. She’d had no chance to check numbers online or get her materials ready for Monday’s edition. Graham, an hour in, had chucked his tie and suitcoat in the vicinity of her desk and rolled up his sleeves. Even Plucky had been vocal in singing all morning, though he seemed to be napping on his perch now.

“Holy cow.” She strolled to Graham’s office, where Twain lifted his head from his spot on the floor beside the desk. “That was nuts.”

“You think that’s crazy, look at this.” He bumped his chin at the computer screen.

He laced his fingers behind his head and rocked in his chair. The position stretched his white button-down dress shirt snugly across his torso. She tried and failed not to stare. Wide chest. Ripples of abs beneath the fabric. She’d bet the small amount in her bank account that he worked out. Or had extremely good genetics.

Focus. She dragged a chair around to his side and plopped.

And there was his bergamot scent again, filling her with images, distractions, and fantasies. She’d lain awake half the night, thinking of him and their dinner. Not once, in all her years, had she been this affected by a man’s cologne.

Then again, she supposed it could be Graham and not whatever product he used. They had chemistry, banter, and intellectual conversations. He was handsome, kind, and had just enough of a dark edge to render him interesting without being problematic. Her pulse thrummed a tripping rhythm and her chest heated. Would he be the type of guy to shove everything off the surface and take her right here on his desk? Or more traditional and drive her home to stumble toward a bed? Up against the wall frenzy or slow and meticulous?

“I can see you’re also in awe.” His low, deep timbre was laced with amusement, yet it infiltrated her senses and slithered into her bloodstream.

She blinked and glanced at his monitor, drawing in a measured breath for clarity. She really needed to knock it off every time they were within the same room. He had his emails pulled up, but none of them were open. Quickly, she zeroed in on what he’d referenced.

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