Page 28 of Room One Hundred and Twenty

Of course, she’s surprised.

Would she believe me if I told her I hadn’t looked at another woman since we parted ways? Despite Jake’s efforts, I’ve never even considered moving on. Before, I was satisfied with keeping up with her through a screen. Now, I can’t say the same.

Reaching across the table, I squeeze her free hand. “I missed you. And while I know about your relationship with Jake, I don’t care. I’m going to shoot my shot here and be completely honest with you.”

Inhaling sharply, her eyes never leave mine. Unblinking, she doesn’t move.

“Eloise, I want you.”

Eloise

Nicolas wants me. Hewantsme.

Three words make my stomach tighten in knots and I can’t tell if I want to giggle or acknowledge the heat coiling around in my stomach.

Shouldn’t have eaten that cookie. Not the one in my hand either. However, as I’m not trusting my tongue enough to speak, I shove the rest of the peanut butter one into my mouth. The sweetness would be the perfect distraction if I weren’t currently trying to wrap my mind around his words.

He wants me. He knows about Jake and I as well. He doesn’t care.

As the heat swells in my stomach, my knees brush as I squirm on my seat.

Well, this conversation has suddenly taken a dangerous turn. Add in the truth of how I want him too, I have to be very careful from this point forward. Any slip-ups and I won’t be able to act rational about this.

“I followed your bakery before,” he continues on like he hasn’t knocked me off balance here. “Kept up with you that way. I wasn’t sure if you’d still want to keep in contact with me, so I stayed back. That’s one of my regrets.”

“Only one?” I rasp as I guzzle down my bitter coffee. “There are more?”

His mouth twitches. “A whole list of them, Eloise. I regret letting Jake get to you first.”

A rush of butterflies hit me all at once. Oh boy. I’m not ready for this conversation. Not in a public place like this. I don’t need any more bad publicity. All these college kids have phones and if any of them decide to record a crazy woman getting all flushed over a few words, I can’t risk becoming a repeating offender.

His stare is growing heavier with every word that leaves his lips. Looking like he’s got plenty to say, I sway as I move to my feet.

“I think I’m ready to leave.”

He’s already on his feet. Instead of trying to talk me into staying, he collects our trash and ditches it. Pressing a hand against my lower back, he leads me toward the exit.

The heat of his fingers seeps down to join the rest of the heat collecting between my thighs.

I should not have eaten those cookies.

Can I really excuse my behavior on such a thing? Yes. Nicolas used to do this same thing all the time. This is no different than his old tactics to get what he wants.

He wantsme.

“You are evil,” I murmur under my breath.

“I don’t have the slightest clue of what you mean.” Feigning innocence, his thumb brushes the dip in my back.

Grunting, I hear the baristas wish us a good day as we make our exit.

“Let me drive you home.” After holding the door open while leading me out of the cafe, he makes the offer. “It’ll be less of a headache for you.”

What I’m worried about isn’t a headache. It’s the throbbing between my legs. The throbbing that should not be there.

I shouldn’t take his offer. Unless I want to invite even more trouble into my life, I might as well tell him I’d rather walk home at this rate.

Instead, I nod my head and accept the arm he offers up. I’m making it worse by touching him. Beneath his shirt, he feels strong. Does he go to the gym during his free time?

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