Page 52 of Recklessly Yours

“Noted.” I pushed away from my desk with a huff and stood. “Going to make a cup of coffee.”

Was he right? Was I distracted?

And to think this was what I had been trying to avoid.

Fuck. I had no idea how to keep my mind from drifting to her. Even when she wasn’t around, my thoughts were always about her.

Regardless, sleeping with her was a bad idea. Right?

Chapter Twenty-Two

HATTIE

Sighing,I snagged my bag off my chair, ready to head out to the front of the restaurant. Dylan had texted ten minutes ago to say he was on his way.

I strode out the door of my office and almost ran right into Ashley.

“Hey, you okay?”

Shoulders slumped, I took a deep breath. “Yeah, why?”

“You just seem…” She shrugged. “Not yourself.”

“Just tired.” I glanced away. “Ready for this whole stalker situation to be over.”

Her intentions were good, but I didn’t have the bandwidth for this conversation. And frankly, I had no clue how to explain the way I was feeling. Sad wasn’t right. I understood where Dylan was coming from. He didn’t feel as though he could put his friendship with my brother and his job on the line because we were attracted to each other, and I wouldn’t ask him to.

Although after the last week and the kiss we shared last night, a part of me hoped that he saw the connection between us as more than just physical attraction.

That was the realization I’d finally come to last night after he kissed me. For the first time in years, I felt like someone was totally tuned into me. Focused on me, truly hearing me. Like my brothers were with their wives, like Jackson was with Ashley. Even how my dad was with Mom. He was quiet about it, sure, but it didn’t go unnoticed. Ultimately that was what I wanted. Someone who got me a Cherry Coke out of the fridge or pulled me into a hug before I even had to voice that I was upset.

Except Dylan didn’t feel the same way.

Ashley narrowed her eyes at me, and I moved to brush past her. Thankfully she stepped to the side and didn’t push the conversation, but two steps past her, she spoke again.

“Hattie.”

I looked back at her over my shoulder.

“You know if you need to talk, I’m here.”

I nodded. My family drove me nuts sometimes, but I knew every one of them would be there if I needed them.

The minute I hit the dining room, I could make out Dylan’s deep voice, and a shiver ran down my spine. Breath held, I sought him out. When I found him, he was propped up on the end of the bar, talking with Michael, Paul, and Josh. I drank himin. He was still wearing a suit, but he’d removed the jacket. His badge hung around his neck, and his weapon was clipped to his belt.

As I came closer, he turned his head, his dark eyes piercing me with intensity. There was no stopping the butterflies that took flight in my belly.

Jesus, Hattie. At least try to get a grip.

I swallowed, unsure of how to even act in his presence, as I stopped a foot from him. Because the way he looked at me? It sent a thrill through me while simultaneously putting me on edge.

With a chuckle, Michael looked back and forth between us. “Trouble in paradise?”

Dylan wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me into his side. “Nah, man. It’s great.” Tipping his head, he pressed his lips to my temple.

Without any thought, I melted into him and sighed. This was what I’d needed all day.

But I didn’t understand what was going on. This couldn’t be one-sided. He had to feel this connection between us.

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