Page 69 of Someone to Have
Before I can right myself, he’s there. Not with a simple hand on my arm. Oh, no. He grips my waist, steadying me, his thumbs pressing into the hollows of my hips, making my knees go weak.
“How do you move so fast?” I demand, trying to shake him off. “And let me go.”
His thumbs dig a little deeper, and…oh, do I like the pressure. “How do you manage to get through a day without doing bodily harm to yourself?” he counters.
“Touché,” David announces dramatically from behind me.
“Remind me again why you aren’t involved in community theater, Mr. Drama King,” I ask over my shoulder.
“I don’t take direction well.” He reaches around me to extend a hand to Eric. “David Miller. Taylor’s work wife.”
“Eric Anderson. Neighbor,” Eric replies, shaking his hand.
“I know who you are.” David is so breathy it sounds like he’s having an asthma attack. “Firm grip and nice tool belt.”
Eric looks down like he hasn’t even realized it’s strapped on. He clears his throat and shoots me an apologetic glance.
“I’m working a job around the corner. Tony’s is doing some updates, but?—”
“No need for apologies,” David says, cutting him off. “Taylor likes it, too.”
“I don’t need you to speak for me,” I tell David with an eye roll. “But I don’t hate the look.” I shrug when Eric grins. “You’ve got the hips for it.”
He chuckles. “As much I’d love to hear more about how much you like my hips?—”
“Excuse me while I go hyperventilate in the break room,” David says, sauntering off. “Nice to meet you, Eric.”
“Likewise.” David can be a bit extra, but Eric seems to take the innuendos in stride. Another surprise, and definitely a pleasant one.
“I wasn’t admiring your hips.” I cross my arms over my chest. “I was stating a fact.”
“I’ll take your word for it. Any chance you can take an early lunch break?” He leans in a little closer. “I need you.”
My mouth drops open. “You can’t come in here and expect…” Ilower my voice to a whisper, “...an afternooner at the drop of a hat. Or tool belt, in this instance.” Get with the program, sweetie, my body commands my brain, already warming at the thought of?—
He throws back his head and laughs, then covers it with a cough. “Sorry,” he says in a quieter voice, ignoring the patrons who glance in our direction. “As much as I’d enjoy the lunch break you have in mind, Tinkerbell. I want your opinion on something.” He traced the edge of my hand with one finger, awareness zinging through me at the light touch. “Not my tool belt. I already know what you think of that.”
My cheeks flame as I try to hide the shiver that runs down my spine. The best kind of shiver. “Oh my God, you are… ridiculous.”
“Ridiculously masculine and hot, I assume.”
“Also a fact,” I say, blowing out a breath.
His dark eyes flame. “Once again killing me, Tink. I’m about to drag you between the shelves and have my afternoon delight way with you.”
Now there’s an idea that makes my toes curl. Stupid toes. “We can’t?—”
“I know,” he agrees with a small smile. “But can you take lunch? Please.”
“Sure,” I answer because there’s no point in denying how much I like that he’s sought me out. “Let me grab my purse and jacket.” I turn back when Eric doesn’t immediately follow. “Come with me.” I glance toward the front where Don is still scowling at us. “We’ll walk out the back.”
One corner of his mouth curves up. “Sneaking me out like I’m your dirty little secret?”
“Youaremy dirty little secret,” I confirm, and to my surprise, an emotion that looks suspiciously like disappointment flashes in his gaze before he can cover it. At least I think that’s what it was.
“Lead the way, my captain,” he says, giving a little salute withtwo fingers.
He doesn’t say anything about my comment, and I wonder if I’ve misread him. Isn’t that what we are to each other? Maybe not dirty, but he has more reasons than I do to keep the physical aspect secret.
