Page 59 of Take It Offline

“The little knob thingy?”

I swear she blushes all the way to her temples. “The thing,” she says again, as if that will make it clearer, “that changes it from tub to shower. I don’t know what it’s called.”

If we’d had this conversation a few weeks ago, I would have scoffed, like an asshole. My gut twists.

“If it helps, I don’t know what it’s called either.”

She ducks her head with a smile. “Thanks for not making me feel bad about it.”

I want to cuss out anyone who would, but I’d have to start with myself. Hadn’t I been ready to chuckle over where Digital’s reigning superstar hung up her cape at night?

“Any of it,” she finishes, and yeah, I can’t blame her for hating me, if all I’ve done is give her the impression that I’d take the trust she’s placed in me and throw it back at her.

If I really wanted to make it up to her, I’d be on my knees right now. God knows I’d go willingly, but she’s already on her feet, packing up.

As I reach for our empty coffee cups, Emma catches my hand.

“Where’s this from?”

She grazes the groove next to my thumb, a jagged pink scar, over and over, softly tracing the ridges. It’s mesmerizing. sparking electricity down my arm, through my spine, straight to my cock.

I want her so much I’m about to lose my mind.

Doing my best to ignore how fucking good she smells, I keep my breathing steady. “Tried to pick a lock with a screwdriver and cut myself.”

“I thought maybe you’d been in a fight.”

It’s a good guess.

“More than my fair share, actually, but this was me trying to outrun one for a change. I can show you those scars if you want.”

She rolls her eyes but keeps her voice soft. “Keep your shirt on.” I wonder if she knows she’s still holding my hand. “How old were you?”

“Young.” I don’t want to say more than that.

“And those other fights?”

“A little less young.”

With a hum, she finally drops my hand.

I clench my fist to fight the urge to reach for her.

With a shy smile, she says, “I’d hate to see the other guys.”

“Yeah, well, I was a bit of a dick as a kid.”

“I’ll take Things that Aren’t Surprising for two hundred,” she replies, dry as the Sahara, mischief in her eyes.

Reese was right. This is absolutely going to get messy.

CHAPTER 21

(UN)DENIABLE CHEMISTRY

EMMA

When I was a kid, the future glowed rosy with the fantasy of late lunches, shopping trips, and weekend vacations.

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