Page 26 of Pick Yourself Up
Amber tried to blink back her own tears, but a few slipped over. He brushed them away, struggling to get his emotions under control enough to speak. “Thank you. That means so much to me. Thank you.”
He couldn’t have stopped leaning down to brush his lips over hers even if Boomer had bitten his leg.
She was an incredibly compelling woman, and he wanted to thank her. As an Italian, he was naturally demonstrative and easy with physical affection.
Kissing as a sign of gratitude was expected. Normal.
But the instant his lips touched Amber’s, all thoughts of gratitude flew out of his head.
He barely grabbed onto his control with both hands to keep the kiss quick. Well, almost quick.
The woman tasted like sunshine, and he wanted to deepen the kiss. But this wasn’t the time or place.
He lifted his head just enough to see her eyes. They were closed. Her lips curved in a smile.
Hell, yeah.
Her lashes fluttered open, and he saw the attraction he felt reflected in her eyes.
Not wanting to push his luck, Gray brushed a strand of her hair away from her face and trailed his finger over her cheekbone.
Amber’s eyes sparkled, and her lips tilted a little more.
Gray grinned and kissed her forehead, leaving his lips there for a moment. “That was supposed to be a simple kiss of gratitude to show you how much I appreciate your words and compassion.”
She leaned back and frowned. “But?”
He grinned. “But you’re an amazing woman and I almost forgot to control my attraction to you.”
Her eyes widened, but her frown remained in place. “Seriously?”
He nodded and brushed his fingers over her jawline. “Seriously. Back in Chicago, you impressed the hell out of me. You kept my client safe and didn’t cave, even when they hurt you. You’re strong and resilient.”
She sucked in a breath, and her frown disappeared.
He continued. “You’re gorgeous and smart, but it’s your inner light and strength that pulls at me, Amber. I don’t want to push or rush, but I’m very attracted to you.”
She studied him with those serious eyes, and he didn’t move a muscle. He let her look to see whatever she was looking for.
Slowly, so damn slowly, those lips softened and curved into a small smile. “I knew from the second I saw your eyes in the hallway that you were one of the good guys. That you were going to fix everything.”
Well, hell.
She reached up her hand and cupped his stubbled jaw. “Your inner strength and light pull at me, too, Gray.”
His eyebrows shot up, and she nodded. Then she grinned. “Of course, the gorgeous face and sexy body don’t hurt either, but you’re a good man, Gray. A very good man.”
At the moment, it wasn’t good that he was feeling.
And then his lips captured hers again.
Chapter 7
Kissing Up
Amber grabbed Gray’s sweatshirt to ground herself. Otherwise, the kiss might have had her floating off into the clouds.
She’d never been kissed with such tenderness and passion. The combination was heady.
