Page 33 of One Short Summer

Chapter Twelve

Monica

The showerI just took didn’t calm me down one bit. I actually feel like I’m even more worked up than before.

Totally high on endorphins from dancing again.

Even though it was only for an hour, I can’t remember the last time I felt so elated. So ready to burst at the seams from the pure euphoria of moving my body that way. Of letting my limbs act out whatever story the music was telling me.

And of course, there was that superhot kiss.

Maybe even my best kiss ever.

My body still buzzing from it.

After we left the dance studio—and an extra-happy-looking Kiara who couldn’t wipe the huge grin off her face—we stopped by the smoothie place next door before heading back to the house.

We didn’t talk much on the way back, both of us happily slurping our drinks. There’s no denying all the secret side glances we sent each other though. And I’ve caught Gabe more than once with a huge grin on his face.

After getting dressed in my standard “home uniform” of leggings and a T-shirt, I grab my phone from the dresser and, naturally, bump into the corner. “Dang it.”

Not even five seconds after my loud yelp, and a few choice words directed at the dresser, a knock on my door startles me.

“Monica, are you all right? I just came out of my room and heard you yelling.” Gabe’s voice is muffled, but the worry still evident, even through the wood.

Such a good guy.

Letting go of my foot, I walk over to open the door. “I’m fine, just stubbed my toe. But thanks for checking on me.” My last words almost trail off as I stare at him.

His gaze lands on my foot before slowly tracking up my body. “Do you want me to take a look at it?”

I lean against the doorjamb, wrinkling my nose. “You don’t have a weird foot fetish you’ve been hiding from me all this time, do you?”

He keeps a straight face for a moment before he chuckles. “Nope. Just wanted to make sure you’re all right. Plus, I wouldn’t pass on a chance to touch you if it presented itself like this.”

Holy moly.

What is happening?

Looks like I’m not the only one affected by our kiss. Just when I thought I might finally be able to lower that fire in my body to a simmer at least, it’s roaring back to life, bigger than before. The flames lick at my skin as if he touched me, enjoying the heat pumping inside my veins.

Maybe he only meant it in a harmless way, even though my body sure didn’t think so.

My eyes are locked on his, inquiring, silently probing for answers as we stare at each other in absolute silence, neither one of us blinking for what feels like hours.

My brain going a mile a minute, wanting to know exactly what’s going on behind that gorgeous mop of brown hair. Remembering the soft feel of it under my fingertips, my hands itch to wind themselves through the strands once more, to tug on it, eliciting some more groans from him.

Just as Gabe lifts his hand toward my face, the alarm on his phone goes off, successfully bursting the spell.

His lips press together tightly, and I’m sure it has everything to do with his alarm. This man would forget his own birthday if it wasn’t for a reminder on his phone, something I like to tease him about whenever I get the chance.

This time, I don’t feel like teasing though. He stabs the screen a few times to turn it off, huffing out a big breath once he’s done. “Dang it. I have a conference call scheduled, but what about dinner? Do you want to go out or stay in?”

“Stay in?” Without even taking a second to think, the words shoot out of my mouth, making his cheeks lift and the corners of his eyes crinkle.

The last thing I feel like is sitting in a crowded restaurant with this gorgeous man, not able to throw myself at him—if he’d let me, of course.

After giving me another small smile that almost looks a little shy, he nods. “Sounds like a plan. I’ll see you later then, okay?”

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