Page 7 of Dare to Hold
“My friends and I do a yearly girls’ trip,” I say. “This year, we picked this beautiful city. Beignets, jazz, good food, what’s not to love?”
“Solid choice,” he says, nodding. “And I’m guessing I was a…spontaneous addition to the itinerary?”
My cheeks flush. “Yeah, I didn’t exactly plan on grabbing a stranger’s hand today.”
Gray raises a brow, amused. “Really? Because you did it like a pro.”
I cover my face with one hand, groaning. “It was just a dare.”
Gray leans back in his chair, lips quirking like he’s not buying it. “Was it?”
I open my mouth to answer, then close it again. My pulse does this weird skip, and I suddenly forget how words work.
Gray watches me with a quiet curiosity, his elbow propped on the table, fingers brushing his jaw.
“You sure you’re not scared?” he asks, voice light, teasing. “Because you’re blinking like someone just told you your coffee was decaf.”
I let out a breathy laugh. “Okay, maybe I am a little nervous.”
He grins. “Good. That makes two of us.”
My eyes widen. “You? Nervous?”
He shrugs, like it’s no big deal. “Well, not right now. But you should’ve seen me when you grabbed my hand. I thought maybe I was getting pickpocketed by the world’s sweetest-looking criminal.”
I laugh, tension melting off my shoulders. “You’re hilarious.”
“Possibly,” he says. “But also charming, right?”
I shake my head, smiling despite myself. “That’s still up for debate.”
He grins, then glances down at his cup. “You know, Iwasn’t sure if you were going to come here with me. You looked like you might bolt.”
“I thought about it,” I admit.
His eyes meet mine again, warmer now. “I’m glad you didn’t.”
The words settle somewhere low in my stomach.
I clear my throat. “You’re just…a little intimidating.”
Gray looks genuinely surprised. “Me?”
I gesture toward him. “You’ve got that whole ‘tall, dark, and probably-rides-a-motorcycle’ vibe. And the tattoos? Definitely don’t help.”
He laughs, a full, easy sound that turns heads in the café. “I’ll have you know, I’ve never even ridden a motorcycle.”
“I bet you own a leather jacket though,” I tease.
“Guilty.” He pauses, then adds with a wink, “Though I’m still missing someone to steal it and never give it back.”
I grin. “So, you’re only moderately intimidating.”
“Moderately attractive too, I assume?”
The question catches me off guard. My cheeks heat instantly, and I look down, smiling into my coffee.
Gray leans in just a little, voice low but still soft. “You don’t have to answer. Your face is saying enough.”
