Page 23 of You Complicate Me

His eyes darkened. “Don’t remind me.”

Dear God. Was he…jealous? No, that couldn’t be it.

But as he started pacing the small space liked a caged wolf, he certainly looked jealous.

“Nick, are you jealous?” she asked tentatively, fully expecting him to laugh and scoff at the idea.

He stopped pacing abruptly and threw his hands up again. “Of course I’m jealous. Isn’t it obvious?” The pacing started again. “Oh, and when he got all uppity and insinuated that someone like you would never waste your time with someone like me? I swear, it was all I could do not to knock his unnaturally white teeth down his stupid British-accent-having throat.”

She frowned thoughtfully. “I just assumed he meant that someone like you would never be with someone like me.”

“That’s what I said.”

True, the words were the same, but the meaning was totally different. Which meant…

“You really are jealous,” she said, stunned.

“Haven’t we established that?” He faced her again. “Jesus, Grace, you’re driving me absolutely fucking insane.”

Boy, if she had a nickel for every time she’d heard that.

But he went on. “I barely know you, but you haven’t left my mind since I threatened to cuff you on that plane.”

She blinked up at him. “I feel the same way,” she whispered. “But Nick, we’re not dating, and I don’t want to lie to my family all week.”

The heat in his eyes stunned her into taking a step back. He followed, backing her up against the wall and flattening his palms on either side of her head. “Then don’t lie. Be with me this week.”

The words hit her physically, melting her bones. Fortunately, he leaned into her, holding her up with his weight.

“I don’t usually do that kind of thing, Nick.”

“I’m not talking about sex,” he said quickly.

Well, that was a relief and a huge disappointment all at the same time.

He must have seen the disappointment in her eyes, because his brows raised. “Unless that’s what you want.” He shook his head, as if clearing it before adding, “But all I’m talking about is spending time with you. As much as possible between now and the wedding.”

Oh, boy. This was dangerous territory for her. She was already more attracted to Nick than she’d ever been to another man, even her ex-husband. And to have that kind of attraction to a man she barely knew was absolutely terrifying. “This is crazy,” she said. “This morning you could barely force yourself to speak to me.”

“Okay, I’ll admit it. I was a coward. You terrify me, angel.”

She shivered as he brushed a lock of hair off her forehead, his hand lingering against her cheek. “What’s different now?” she asked, her voice shaking with what she could only assume was a creamy blend of fear and pent-up lust.

His gaze dipped to her mouth, then back up to her eyes. “I’m tired of being afraid. I want you, Grace. I’ll take however much of you you’re willing to give me.” He rested his forehead against hers. “Just say yes.”

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I’m not looking for a relationship, Nick.”

He tipped his head to one side, his eyes never leaving hers. “Yeah, but what would you do if you found one?”

Oh, God. That was maybe the scariest, most irresistible thing she’d ever heard. She took a deep breath. “If we do this…”

His head dipped closer to hers and she put a hand on his chest to hold him off. “If we do this,” she repeated, “it’s on my terms. This whole thing”—she gestured between them—“has been crazy and out of control so far. I need more control.”

He nodded slowly. “You’re in charge. Just say yes.”

Her gaze dropped to his mouth. “Yes. But—”

Whatever she was going to say was lost forever as his mouth captured hers.

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