Page 12 of Hidden Heart

“Jessica, there’s no need for you to run away. You enjoyed yourself.” He didn’t sound at all concerned about his statement. No gloating, just giving her a fact—she had indeed enjoyed herself.

Like a damn hussy.

She found her things in the front hall. In her haste to escape, she flung her purse over her shoulder, nearly knocking over a fern on the table

“I’m not running away. I am just…well…” She dropped her hands and slumped her shoulders. “Fine, I’m running away. I don’t have much experience with…this…and I’d rather just go home and crawl under my bed.” She reached for the door.

The theme had been casual, but she didn’t do casual sex—and she didn’t do relationships anymore.

His hand wrapped around her arm, stopping her from fleeing. She hadn’t heard him move. All her internal panic alarms went off.

“Okay, I won’t keep you. I’ll let you go…this time.” He didn’t even try to hide the meaning of his words. “I’d like to see you again. Give me your phone.” He put his hand out and stared down at her.

“And then you’ll let go of me?” She met his gaze with what she hoped was a firm glare of her own. He gave a slow nod. Digging through her purse, she retrieved her phone and slapped it into his waiting palm. With one hand, he managed to add himself to her contact list before giving it back to her.

“I also messaged my phone so I can add you,” he informed her. “As I said, I’d like to see you again. Then we can figure out more about whatthisis, because I doubt it’s what you think it is.” That damn dimple.

“Okay.” She nodded and rushed past him as soon as he opened the door for her escape. He called down the hall for her to take a cab home, but she disregarded him.

A walk would clear her mind better than any smelly cab.

Chapter 3

Voicemail. Again.

Royce left another message. Quick, to the point, and in a firm voice. “Jessica. Call me when you get this, please.” He slid his phone across his desk and rubbed his eyes.

He’d left three messages over the past two days. She’d ignored every one of them. She was probably mulling over their evening together and he had pushed her too far too fast. She was not a one-night stand kind of girl. That’s what had drawn him to her in the first place. But that evening, she’d looked so beautiful…so pouty, so sexy—so damn determined to ignore what she desired—he’d thrown his better judgment out the window. And now he feared he’d blown it with her before he’d even started.

He was tempted to question Alex about her, to be sure she was okay, but he didn’t want to put him in the middle of the situation. And he wasn’t confident Alex truly saw her in a sisterly light. The little glances he gave her when he thought no one was watching, the way he tensed when her hand brushed his. Although it was clear Jessica had cemented Alex in the friend zone, it was evident Alex wished for a way out. Royce felt a bit sorry for Alex, especially now that he’d had a taste of the real Jessica.

Royce shut down his computer and began putting his coat on when his cell vibrated on the desk. He was surprised at himself, holding his breath, hoping to see a message from Jessica. He was beginning to act like an infatuated teenager. He glanced at the message and breathed out slowly.

Working late. Meet for coffee at seven?

It was a good sign.

He worked his fingers over the touchpad of his phone.

Sure. My place?

He chose against using an emoticon. Did they even have an emoji for obsessed? He had thought of little else besides her and their last evening together since she ran down the hall like her shoes were on fire.

No. Starbucks on your corner.

He checked his watch. There was enough time for him to take a run before meeting her. He needed the extra mile today.

Jessica stoodoutside the coffee house, peering through the window. She’d spotted him right away, sitting at a small table in the back. She’d been standing in the cold for five minutes watching him, contemplating her next move. She had been the one who initiated this meeting, but also had more to lose. She doubted he cared if they ever saw each other again, and she tried desperately to believe she’d be just fine never setting eyes on him again. Acknowledging, but ignoring the little voice inside her telling her she was out of her mind, she opened the door and forged ahead. A high-pitched bell announced her entrance.

Royce got to his feet as she approached the table. With a small grin fixed on his lips, he greeted her.

“Hi.” He placed a chaste kiss on her cheek.

“Hey,” she responded, doing her best to sound casual as heat spread across her face at the brush of his lips.

“I wasn’t sure what sort of coffee you drank. What would you like?” he asked after she sat.

“What, you didn’t want to choose for me?” She smiled to show him she was teasing.

---