Page 12 of Let it Breathe
5
Donovan
"Whoa." I reached out to steadier her, but she stepped out of my reach. She had better reflexes than I did.
My gaze ran up her body, and it was my first mistake. I waited too long to notice her hands on her hips. She flexed and unflexed her fingers. I took in her heaving chest and the scowl on her face. Her eyes narrowed, and she looked ready to knock me out, so I took a step back.
"What are you doing here?" she whispered and turned away from me. I grabbed her arms, and she pulled out of my grip and turned back.
"Don't," she yelled. She took a breath and, in a more suitable tone, said, "Don't touch me."
"You weren't saying that last night." My second mistake.
"Ugh." She turned and headed for the nearest door.
Okay, maybe I needed to stop being an asshole.
I followed her. The door led to an empty, cold hallway that ran the length of the convention center. She leaned against one wall with her face in her hands. She struggled to calm herself.
"Hey."
She turned and glared.
"Last night was a mistake. I was drunk."
I stepped back.
"Hey, you came to my room," I said and ran my hand over my head. "You weren't that drunk. Please tell you don't think I—"I didn't take advantage of her, did I?
"Oh, no. God, no." She stepped closer to me. "Last night was great, but that's not me."
I collapsed against the wall and squeezed my eyes shut. I saw my NFL life flash before my eyes.
I opened my eyes, and her regret hit me in the heart. It hurt. Last night, she was all sexy and sweet and a little dirty, but today, she was angry and sad. I felt the need to help her, if she'd accept my help.
I stood in front of her but well out of her personal space.
"You were really great up there."
"No, I wasn't. I was emotional and cried like a little girl." She wiped her face. "People don't respect women in business for that exact reason. Why did you ask me that question?"
"I'm sorry. I thought it would help."
Her eyes grew wide.
"You're not running a bank or some international corporation." I wrung my hands together. "You run a family business. They needed to see how much it meant to you."
She shook her head and lowered it.
I stepped closer, raised her chin, and stared into her eyes. She didn't turn away. The spark we had last night was there although she would never admit it at the moment.
I leaned in, but she stepped to the side.
"I have to get back." She walked toward the door.
"I want to see you again."
She stopped, and I walk in front of her.
