Page 26 of Destined To Fall

“Agreed,” he says after a beat.“It used to be my favorite thing in the room.”Used to?

“Jeremy…”

“Vivienne?”

“Will you quit staring at me?”

He grins.“Why? Am I making you uncomfortable?”

Exceedingly so.“No.” I shake my head to emphasize my point.“You’ll burn a hole in my face. Come on. Let’s get you back to work before you use up all your woo on me.” I get up and head for the door, but I turn around before I reach it.“Here,” I holler at him.

One eyebrow quirks in response, then his eyes widen a second before the car keys fly at his face. His hand whips out in record time, catching them an inch before they’d have hit him square in the eye. His resulting smile is brighter and more brilliant than any piece in the room.

Jeremy leaps off the bench and hurdles toward me, picking me up in a bone-crushing hug. I lose my breath in a rush as he spins me around.

“Can’t. Breathe,” I sputter out.

“Sorry.”

Jeremy eases up on his hold and puts me back on my feet. My shoes have barely touched the ground before his lips press to my cheek in a chaste kiss. I don’t have a chance to react to the proximity of his lips to mine before they’re gone, and he captures my hand in his, dragging me out the door.

I shake my head and giggle at his exuberance. The excited chatter as we make our way back to the car becomes a pleasant buzz in the background as my mind whirls.

If I want to be completely honest with myself, which I really, really don’t. I might sort of, quite possibly, be just a little bit…infatuated.

But that would be crazy. Right?

Chapter Six

I whimper, covering my head with the pillow as my alarm clock continues to blare at me.Fuck. Off.It’s too freaking early. I groan, pulling off the pillow, and whack the snooze button.Just a little longer…ah, damn it. It’s Sunday.

Every Sunday I bitch and moan about having to get out of bed, but I love to run. There’s usually less traffic on the streets, minimal people on the footpaths fighting for space, and it’s just better early on a Sunday. It refuels me and clears my head. The head that is nowclutteringwith theweek'sworth of crap. I roll back over and bury my face in the pillow, trying to stave it off for a while longer.Five more minutes…

Jeremy.

My eyes snap open.Shit. It’s Sunday, and coffee date—ugh—day. The last time I saw Jeremy pushes to the forefront of my mind, and all the memories come flooding back. Waiting for him and those sexy jeans. The car trip with his delectable scent, the beyond amazing gallery, his hand in mine…those sapphire pools…that mouth…oy. Those tempting lips and their sexy curve should be illegal. The image of them in my head morphs into the blinding smile he wore theentireride back to town.

I’ve never seen anyone so excited. Watching him drive the Aston was something else. His body radiated with glee as he chattered nonstop about the car’s mechanics. It was like watching a child on Christmas morning, ripping open all their presents, the utter joy and bewilderment that only Santa Claus brings. It made me want to keep the car just so I could see his face light up like a firecracker again and again.

He reluctantly pulled up around the corner from his office building and turned off the engine. His long sigh filled the silence as he played with the keys in his hand. Once again, Ifeltout of place, out of my element.

“The gallery was amazing,” I offer weakly.

He turns to look at me with a small, lopsided grin.“I had a feeling you’d like it. And I kept my word—you didn’t break the bank.”

I chuckle halfheartedly.“I’ll have to take Luke up on that tour, then, and take some of that magic home with me.”

“I’m sure he’d love that,” Jeremy mumbles before opening his car door.

I frown as the door slams behind him before the realization of what I’d inadvertently hinted at dawns on me, and I hastily exit the car.“Like you’ll let me go alone. You know I can’t be trusted.”What am I doing?

One corner of his mouth flickers with a hesitant smile as I round the car, coming to stand in front of him.“With Luke or your credit card?”

I smirk at that.“The latter, of course.”

“And the former?” he asks, his voice low.

All playfulness is gone, and my mouth feels dry and unresponsive as he continues to stare through me. I manage to find my voice, but not my good sense, with the need to break the tension building.“And break him? Not my style.” He’s too slight for my liking. Jeremy,on the other hand…

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