Page 46 of Sven

“What are you sorry for?”

“I got blood on your shirt,” she said, glancing down at the bloody shirt on the counter next to her.

“I’m not even a little worried about it.” He was looking into her eyes, still seemingly inspecting her for further injury. “How does you head feel?” Running his hands through his hair, he felt around for a bump.

“My head is fine. I think my nose took the brunt of my clumsiness,” she said, trying to joke.

But then his piercing blue eyes caught her gaze. He was so close. All she would have to do was lean forward just an inch,and she could kiss him. She felt herself leaning. Why was she leaning?

“I have to go,” she said as she put her hands on his bare chest and pushed him away.

“Natalie, wait a minute. Are you sure you’re okay?”

She turned around and opened her mouth to tell him she was fine and was going to bed, but the look on his face stopped her in her tracks. It was a mix of concern and confusion. There was something behind his eyes she didn’t care for. Whatever it was it looked painful, like rejection and hurt. With his cocky smirk gone, it was more evident than it ever had been. But the more she thought about it, the more she thought it was there more often than she wanted to think about.

“I’m okay.” She stopped and took him in.

“You’re good?”

“I mean... my nose hurts. But, yes, Sven. I’m good.”

A warm smile spread across his face. It was different than any smile she’d seen before. It was genuine. It stirred things in her that she should leave alone.

“I’m going to go.”

“Be careful out there. Watch out for poles,” he said, that signature smirk returning.

“I think I can manage.”

“I’ll stay right here. I don’t want to prove too distracting again.” He winked.

Her mouth hung open. Did he really just call her out for checking him out in the basement?

“I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about?” she said, calling on all her Southern belle self-control.

“Of course not,” he said with a slight raise to his brow.

“Good night, Sven.”

“Good night, Natalie.”

He watched him one moment longer with the self-assured smirk. She huffed and rolled her eyes and turned from her. As she opened the patio door, she bit back the smile. What was she going to do?

***

The next morning, she woke up and rolled over in bed, only to knock her sore nose. Maybe Sven was right, and it wasn’t as bad as they thought. Making her way to the bathroom, she saw her nose was slightly swollen, but there was no bruising, so that was good at least.

As she continued to get dressed for the day, she couldn’t help but play over some of the events from last night in her head. She had come close to kissing him. Twice. All while saying they needed to keep their relationship professional.

She made her way into the house. Ms. Malone was in the kitchen, putting groceries away.

“Good morning,” Natalie said as a smile as she went over to help her.

“What happened last night?”

“What do you mean?” Natalie asked, trying to keep the defensiveness out of her voice.

“I just saw a bloody rag and T-shirt in the laundry room.”

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