Page 521 of Rock Me All Night
Given the way Rick is flirting, I have plenty of time before I have to do another pass around the bar.
I sit close enough my knee brushes Pete's. The fabric of his jeans is rough against my bare skin. It sends shivers up my spine.
He turns so we're face to face. His fingers brush my temples as he pulls my glasses off. "You have beautiful eyes."
"Thank you." I swallow hard. There's something intoxicating about him. I want to soak it up.
He opens the case, takes out my new glasses and unfolds them. His eyes fix on mine as he slides my new glasses on.
His touch is gentle, caring, like we're old lovers instead of near strangers.
His fingertips brush my chin on their way to his lap.
This is a better prescription. I can see more details in his face. The flecks of honey in his dark eyes. The strong line of his jaw. The soft curve of his upper lip.
"You're staring," he says.
"Checking my new prescription."
He laughs, cocking his brow like he finds my claim implausible. "What's the verdict?"
His expression shifts, serious. He's not asking about the glasses. He's asking about the offer.
Right now, staring into his eyes, I want to say yes more than I want anything.
It's dangerous, how desperate I am to wipe his pain away.
I take a deep breath. I can't afford to say no. Even if I'm not sure I can live with saying yes. "I'm thinking about it."
I stare back into his eyes. They're vulnerable. Why does he need this lie? It doesn't make any sense. He's handsome enough he could find a girlfriend in thirty seconds flat, even without the whole wealthy celebrity thing going on. Even without the whole clearly a sex God thing going on.
I drop my voice to a whisper. "I need the money."
"You're starting law school in the fall."
I nod. "My scholarship only covers half my tuition. I'm trying for loans for the other half plus living expenses, but so far, I haven't had any luck."
He stares back with understanding.
Still my stomach clenches. "I don't want to take advantage of your situation."
"I have more money than I'll ever need."
"I don't want to lie to people."
"You like me."
I nod.
"I like you. It's not a lie. More of an exaggeration."
"It's a lie." I push myself back. My fingertips dig into my thighs. "Don't argue semantics with a lawyer to be. We'll be at it all night."
His lips curl into a half smile. "You don't want to go at it all night with me?"
Mmm. That flutter builds below my stomach. I do. But not enough to concede his point. I keep my voice low. "It is a lie."
"Yeah. But it won't hurt anyone."
