Page 32 of Tangled Kisses
“Not a problem. I’m sure you’re quite busy… being the star attraction.”
Yep, I damn near lose my lunch saying that.
Judging by the sour look crossing Griffin’s face, he doesn’t like it any better than I do.
He stiffens, pulling his hat off and turning it in his hands. “I’ve been repairing a fence. Hence the fancy digs.”
“My mistake,” I murmur, trying my damnedest to avoid direct eye contact.
It’s far too dangerous to look at him. He does too many wild, springy things to my insides.
“Just give me a second and I’ll get you set up for testing, okay?” I push myself to my feet and focus on collecting supplies before directing Griffin to the blood draw chair. “Have a seat.”
Griffin drops into the chair with a muffled grunt. “Sorry if I stink. Worked up quite a sweat out there.”
“You’re fine, although…” I pause, unable to get his shirt far enough up his biceps. “I’m afraid you’ll have to take this off.”
“Sure.” He swiftly unbuttons the shirt and shrugs it off, revealing a tanned and toned chest and arms.
Do not drool, Reese. Do. Not. Drool.
“Thanks.” I tie off the tourniquet around his arm, then reach for the alcohol wipe. The sharp scent burns my nose as I swipe a circle over his skin.
“Do you like the flowers?” His voice is soft, lined with uncertainty.
The question throws me. My hand stills, frozen, the alcohol wipe pressed against his skin. Slowly, I glance toward the bouquet on my desk, then back at him.
“They’re lovely,” I reply, my tone even as I focus on the job at hand. “Your ex told me you’re quite the welcome wagon—flowers for new residents, that sort of thing. I think it’s a sweet gesture.”
“Wait, what?” The corner of his mouth twitches as he drums the fingers of his free hand against his thigh. “Sabine said that?”
I nod, careful to keep my face neutral. “She did. Little stick, okay?”
But Griffin is more than happy to discuss his ex.
“For the record, I’ve never brought anyone flowers. Certainly not here. And as for Sabine,” his lips flatten into a grim line, “she was the longest ten days of my life.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Trust me, it’s fine.” Griffin chuckles, running a hand over his stubble. “Honestly, it was a blip. Not worth mentioning, which is why I don’t. No offense to Sabine, of course, but we’re better off as work colleagues.”
“I get that.” I fill the last vial and press a gauze to his arm, bending it at the elbow. “Hold that there for a second and I’ll grab a bandage.”
“The thing is, I wanted to make you smile again. Like you did last night when you saw that valley. You have the most beautiful smile, Reese.”
My hands tremble as I grab a bandage from the drawer and return to his side.
Time to play off his charms, no matter how disarming and adorable they are.
“My smile is crooked.”
“No, it’s beautiful. Like your eyes. The way the afternoon light is shining in the window, they’re… God, they’re luminous.”
I roll my eyes, trying to keep it light. “They’re brown.”
His voice softens, steady and certain. “Brown like polished wood, rich and fiery. Strong. Honest. The kind of color people don’t notice until they’re close enough to really see.”
Heat pricks my lashes. I cannot cry over a man who gets paid obscene amounts of money to say sweet things.
