Page 15 of Becoming Us
“Okay.” He looked over his shoulder with a grimace.
“What?”
“Kissing you might help with that, though.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m sorry, Atty. The only way you’re getting rid of the groupies is covering up. Being half-naked sure as shit ain’t working.”
He pressed his lips together, trying—and failing—not to grin. “Really?”
“Really. Trust me. I’m about to join them. Consider me rattled.”
His grin spread to full force—that perfect Atty grin, dimple in his right cheek deepening, a flush creeping all the way to the tips of his ears. He was so fucking beautiful.
With a small headshake, he took another step closer. The scent of sunblock and sweat hit me just as his fingers curled under my jaw, tilting it up. The kiss was quick. Just a soft,unprofessionalpeck. But I felt it in my fingertips.
“I thought this was a big work no-no.”
He shrugged. “Will you drive me home after?”
His words skated over my skin, and I nodded dumbly. “I’ll drive you to the fucking moon if you’d like,” I whispered, goosebumps prickling along my arms as his warm laugh fanned over me. At some point, my hands had landed on his hips. His skin was sun-warmed and smooth.
One more kiss, and he stepped back. His eyes weren’t cold anymore—they’d softened to that melting ocean blue they did when he was rattled too.
“I love you.” The words slipped out before I could stop them.
Instantly, regret slammed into me. The heat in his eyes vanished. He looked overwhelmed. Not in the good way. Not with want. Just…stunned.
I forced a smile. “Sorry.”
His hand went to the back of his neck, fingers scratching the nape. His lips twisted into a grimace. “We should talk after work.”
His words might as well have been a lightning bolt, striking my chest dead center, because they sure as hell stopped my heart real fucking quick.
“Sure. What about?” My voice came out shaky, and I cleared my throat to hide it, somewhat unsuccessfully.
“Just talk.” Atty’s lips pressed together tightly.
“Cool.”
“See you in a bit.” He gave Ezra a wave, and then he was off, leaving me sitting there in a puddle of nerves.
Was it too much? I’d told him I loved him a couple of times now—it wasn’t new information. What about that turned him off so abruptly?
How did I manage to screw up this chance with one fucking sentence?
World record material right there:Noah Rossi fucks up his second chance in under a month with only three words.
“Psst. Hey.” Ezra’s fingers snapped in front of my face.
I stared at him blankly.
An annoyed scowl took over his face. “Just let him talk before you spiral into doomsday, okay? You know he’s crap at it. So are you. Just…hear him out.”
I nodded, brain still rebooting. “Okay.”
“Okay,” he repeated, shaking his head. “You two better get your shit together. I’m not always gonna be around to fix it.”
Easier said than done.
