Page 2 of My Bodyguard Neighbor
She turned toward the kitchen.Behind her, the door clicked shut.Her heart jumped at the sound.
"Nice place," Jonah said, his tone flat, assessing."So you're an artist."
She looked back.He wasn't admiring her messy canvas.He was cataloging, memorizing, as if her entire life was under his inspection.
"What gave it away?The paint everywhere or the giant canvas in my living room?"
"The paint stains on your clothes."
She flushed as his gaze cut through her.“Oh yeah, that.”When she stretched for the sugar on the top shelf, her tank top lifted almost to her bra.
His sharp inhale echoed in the room.When she glanced back, Jonah's jaw was tight, his hands clenched at his sides like he was fighting some internal battle.The air between them was suddenly charged, electric with possibility.
"Here."Holly held out the sugar container, but when he reached for it, their fingers brushed.The contact sent sparks racing up her arm.
Neither of them moved to break the connection.
"Thank you, Holly."
"How do you know my name?"
"From the mailboxes downstairs," he said."Holly Reese.Pretty name for a pretty woman."
The compliment should have felt routine, something a man like him probably said to women all the time.But there was nothing smooth about it.He was being honest, and it sent tingles through her.This was interesting territory, the kind that led to poor decisions and morning-after regrets.She should step back, create some distance, remind herself that gorgeous strangers were nothing but trouble.
Instead, she backed up and he stepped closer.
"So, you think I’m pretty do you?"
Jonah's free hand came up to cup her cheek, his thumb tracing the line of her cheekbone.His touch was gentle, but she could feel the leashed strength in his fingers, the way he held himself back like he was afraid of breaking her.
"No, I was wrong."
She frowned at him.
"You're beautiful," he corrected, his voice barely above a whisper."Absolutely beautiful."
His gaze swallowed her whole.Drowning her.Possessing her.Her body shivered.Her thighs clenched.She was seconds from throwing herself at him.
The sugar container slipped from both their hands, hitting the kitchen floor with a soft thud that scattered white granules across the tiles.Neither of them looked down.
"Jonah—"
Whatever she'd been about to say was lost as his thumb brushed across her lower lip.The simple touch sent electricity racing through her entire body, and she heard her own sharp inhale echo in the kitchen.
"I should go," he said, but he made no move to step away.If anything, he moved closer, until she could feel the heat radiating from his body.
"Should you?"
Her question hung in the air between them, loaded with invitation and challenge.For one terrifying, thrilling second, she thought he would kiss her.
God, she wanted him to.
And then, he tore himself back.The loss of his touch left her feeling cold and bereft.
"I should definitely go."His voice was hoarse, raw with need."Thank you for the sugar."
He was already moving toward the door, his retreat so sudden it left Holly reeling."But the sugar's all over my floor."
