Page 42 of The Wedding Deal
His feet took him a couple of steps before he recalled telling her that she’d have to initiate. Why the hell had he gone and done that?
Because that’s what she needs.
If he kept staring at her, though, it’d be that much harder to keep the grip on his control, so he glanced away.
At the madness on the whiteboard and the wall. “Whoa. It’s likeA Beautiful Minderupted in here.” His gaze flicked back to her. “Is there an imaginary friend in the room I should know about?”
That seemed to break the spell, and she cocked her head, that admonitory pinch to her lips. “Very funny. I just woke up early, and I felt restless, so I came to the”—she made air quotes—“‘office’ and dug in.” There was a hint of sorrow in there. Something that didn’t quite ring true, although obviously she’d done a lot of work. “How was your…run? Along the beach, I’m guessing?”
“It was good. I was feeling a bit restless myself.” With all the wedding events, he’d have even less time over these next few days, and there were still so many positions to fill, not to mention the draft. The only benefit to having a shut-out season was getting top pick, and he needed to find the right piece to help complete the puzzle, which would be a lot easier if the bulk of the pieces weren’t currently in a messy pile.
But that wasn’t the only reason he’d tossed and turned so much last night.
He’d kept thinking about Charlotte’s head against his shoulder as she slept. About her laugh and her smile and how much fun he’d had with her the past four days. It’d been a long time since he’d let anyone in besides his immediate family, yet he could feel himself opening up to her, and something about that both calmed him and scared the shit out of him.
Mostly he’d thought of that moment in the hallway and how much he’d wanted to kiss her.
Since she didn’t say anything else, he added, “I figured I should take the chance to run along the beach, especially before it got too warm.”
“How’s your knee?”
“Fine.” He ran a hand through his hair, realized how sweaty he was, and gestured toward the bedroom area. “I’ll jump through the shower and then you can explain the crazy wall to me.”
“Calling it the crazy wall doesn’t exactly make me eager to comply.”
“When are youevereager to comply?” he teased, and a knot he hadn’t realized had formed in his chest loosened when she cracked a smile.
They were okay.
Although her smile wasn’t as bright, and she had to work for it. Something had upset her. And if it was someone, he’d make sure they regretted it.
Stifling his urge to seek and destroy, he focused on her. He moved closer and brushed his fingers down her arm. “What’s up?”
“Nothing. I’m totally fine. I just need coffee. I bet you could use some, too.” She reached for the phone on the desk. “I’ll put in an order.”
Evidently, it was going to take some extra digging. He’d get to the bottom of it, but he’d let her order her coffee and explain what she’d done before trying again. Since his mom informed him Charlotte was going to need a few hours off in the middle of the day for spa time, and tonight was his brother’s bachelor party, they’d need to get as much work done as possible in the limited time they had.
He also wanted to get as much Charlotte time as he could before then. Another thing that caused a strange mix of trepidation and calm.
Yep. Pretty sure I’m losing my mind over this girl.
Was it bad the thought that immediately followed was that if it meant a few days to explore and enjoy this connection between them, he’d happily slip into madness for a little bit?
…
Torture.
This was torture, sitting here listening to thewhooshof fabric, knowing that behind that bathroom door, Lance was getting undressed.
Charlotte’s attempt to swallow was thwarted by her sandpaper-dry throat. She stared at the closed door, her mind replaying what he’d said last night about how she’d have to initiate any kissing. She still could hardly believe he’d laid it all out like that—that he even wanted her in the first place. Her eyes narrowed, and for a delirious second or two, she wished for X-ray vision.
The spray of water sounded, and she wondered what Lance would do if she snuck into the bathroom, yanked back the shower curtain, and told him she was going to join him.
Heat streaked through her body, growing faster and hotter until her entire body was aflame.
It’d be so satisfying to see the shock on his face. To be that brazen and bold.
It’d break every rule. Of the team’s and of mine and…
