Page 68 of Not In Love

He just held out the water wordlessly, one hand still loose at his side, as if touching her would break something fragile between them.

Kash took the bottle with a murmured, “Thanks.” Their fingers brushed, electric and light.

She took a grateful sip, the coolness shocking against her overheated mouth, and smiled up at him.

“That was...” His voice was rougher than she expected, pitched low enough that only she could hear it. “Phenomenal. Sexy.”

Kash smiled, feeling the flush that hadn’t entirely faded from dancing rise again, softer this time. She tipped her head slightly, locking eyes with him. “Dance was one of my first loves,” she said, after a beat. “One I let life steal away from me. Tonight felt like the best time to claim it back. Among other things.”

“As always, you nailed it. And me,” Diego said, teeth digging into his lower lip.

She shifted her weight, laughing under her breath. “I forgot what a hard master it is, though. Plus being forty-one? My body’s not as forgiving as it used to be after lapses in exercise.”

Diego’s mouth curved into something dangerously fond. “Do you need me to bring you anything? A chair? A medic? A back brace?”

“Are you saying I’m old?” Kash said, smacking his shoulder.

“I know better than anyone how supple and energetic you can be,” he said with a devilish glint in his eyes that sent a shiver down her spine. “That routine though… it looked hard.”

“Right?” Then she giggled. “I’m deliciously sore. Although I much prefer the source of the soreness to be something else.”

She saw the flare of heat in his eyes at that, hidden but unmistakable, and it made her clench her thighs together under the skirt.

He squeezed her hand and the gesture was so steady, so fiercely tender that she thought she might melt right into the floor. “You look happy, Kash.” His thumb brushed lightly over the side of her hand, like he couldn’t help it.

She met his gaze, feeling the words rise up in her like a tide. “I am happy.” A choppy breath. “And grateful for everything I have. Would it be corny if I said thank you for being part of my healing?”

His laugh was low, roughened. “A little.” But his thumb never stopped moving over her skin.

Kash bit her lower lip, feeling mischievous, joy still fizzing through her blood like champagne bubbles. “And tacky if I said the orgasms you dole out are the best medicine?” she murmured, eyes dancing.

Diego choked on a little laugh, recovered fast. “I think the question is... how much longer you’re planning to continue your medicine, Doc.”

Her blush rose high, but she refused to duck her head. Instead, she stepped in slightly, letting the faintest brush of her chest graze his. Too quick to be noticed, too charged to ignore.

She dropped her voice to a soft, private whisper. “Go ahead and charm the whole damn crowd, Diego.” She pressed her palm flat to his rock-hard chest, feeling his heart thunder under her touch. “I know exactly what they aren’t getting.”

The way his breath caught slammed into her was as hard and dizzy as any kiss.

Pulling back, she met his dazed gaze. “Oh, also, Kaif told me about Kat’s…behavior toward you and why your reaction to her pregnancy news had been so out of character.”

When he remained silent and still, she sighed. “I’m a fool for not recognizing what a true gentleman you are.” Leaning in, she brushed a soft kiss across his smooth cheek before pulling back. Every cell in her trembled at the familiar scent of him. “Would you have ever told me?”

He shook his head, looked around, then cleared his throat. “I just wanted your good opinion, Kash. I always have.”

Her breath came in a soft hitch at the quiet intensity of his gaze. “You’re the best man I’ve ever met, Diego Ferrara. And I wish I could?—”

“Don’t want your gratitude, Doc,” he said, cutting her off.

Kash nodded. “Right.”

Her skirt swung around her legs like a golden whip as she turned. Over her shoulder, just loud enough for him to hear, she tossed back, "Save me a dance, yeah? If you think you can keep up."

And disappeared into the crowd, leaving Diego standing there, looking like he’d been wrecked all over again.

CHAPTER21

Diego hurt in accident. Come home.

---