Page 98 of Ice Mechanic

I study her intently. “I’m not going to apologize for wanting to spend time with you if that’s what you’re waiting for.”

Fire crackles through her usually sweet eyes. “Of course not. Why would I expect the great Chance McLanely to apologize?”

Her tone makes me tense. “I’ll apologize if I did something wrong, but I didn’t.”

“You’re going against our contract!”

“You broke the contract first.”

She blinks at me in surprise. “Excuseme?”

“Was that kiss a part of our ‘terms’?” I lean against the bookcase in the reference section and watch as the wheels behind April’s eyes turn at a fast clip.

Her neck becomes splotchy and the red is quickly mirrored in her cheeks. It could be a trick of the light, but I think I see a hint of my beloved freckles too.

“That…” April tosses her long hair off her shoulders. “That was nothing.”

“Nothing?”

Her chin inches higher. “Yes. Nothing.”

My heart pounds as I study her face.

“People kiss all the time for absolutely no reason at all.” Her eyes lift to the ceiling and I can tell she’s just spouting whatever’s popping into her mind. “We’re both adults and there’s no need to make a big deal out of something meaningless.”

“Oh, really?” I step toward her.

She steps back. “Although, I will admit that I could have gotten your consent beforehand. Men have rights too.”

Her eyelashes flutter. Her cheeks brighten even more.

I suddenly have the urge to kiss this woman and never, ever stop.

But April looks too horrified by my approach.

Her back hits the bookshelf. Her head twists around as if she needs visual confirmation that she’s trapped.

I press my hand on the shelf just above her head and lean down until our faces are separated by mere inches. Her breath catches as I sweep my eyes over her, from head to toe and back.

“W-what are you doing?” April stammers. She presses up on the tips of her toes as if she wants to climb the bookcase backwards.

“That kiss really meant nothing?”

Her eyes dart away. “That’s what I said.”

“You can kiss anyone without feeling anything for them?”

“Y-yes.”

“Prove it.” My eyes lock on her lips.

Her breath escapes in panicked spurts, but I show no mercy when I add…

“Kiss me.”

CHAPTER

TWENTY-EIGHT

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