Page 94 of Mr. Flirt

I crossed my legs, feeling heat pool in my belly as my mind went to the night as well. It would take every ounce of restraint I had not to sleep with Shep.

My phone dinged, but this time it was for a meeting, and I knew I had to get back

“That one sounded different.” Shep glanced at my phone.

“Yeah. I’ve got to get back upstairs. I have a client arriving in ten minutes.”

“Totally get it.” He nodded but reached for my hand across the table. All it took was his touch to send my mind spinning and my body swelling with warmth again. “But I appreciate you carving time out for this.”

“A girl’s got to eat,” I joked.

Shep’s eyes swept to my mouth before meeting my gaze. “I’ll remember that.”

My heart stalled for a brief second when he looked at me, and I couldn’t believe how he made me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world.

“Thank you.”

He gathered our paper plates and napkins to take to the trash but stopped.

“I’m the lucky one here, Lucy. I appreciate you making time. I know I have a lot of work to do to earn your respect.”

His words sank into me as my heart and mind collided with one another, praying there was a future with him.

But with every day spent with him, I realized I was becoming more and more fearful that I would end up irrevocably broken when this was all done.

“Keep feeding me, and I’m sure all will be forgotten.”

“But how about forgiven?”

I smiled, realizing how perceptive Shep was, and I refused to believe a man who merely collected women would care. Shep cared.

He closed the space between us and moved his mouth next to my ear. “If there weren’t so many of your coworkers here, I’d pull you into my arms so you could feel how much I’m craving you.”

My breath hitched as his words swam around my mind, and he took a step back.

His words left me dizzy with something I’d never felt for another man. But I couldn’t show him all my cards.

Eyeing him coolly, I let barely a smile touch my lips. “I look forward to that, Shep.”

He laughed as I turned and walked out of the café, wishing with every ounce of resolve I had that I didn’t need to be kissed.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Strangely Sexy

Shep

Last night with Lucy was incredible, and all we did was stay up all night talking. I learned so much about her family, and I confessed things to her that I probably should have kept to myself.

But there was something just so easy about being with her that I couldn’t help myself.

If we’d met under different circumstances where I wasn’t a dumbass, and she’d met Shep, the CEO of Pesh Gaming, I was certain things would be different.

She’d be able to trust me with her entire heart. There wouldn’t be any reservations like there were at the moment.

Deservedly so.

And that question yesterday at lunch about me belonging to a fraternity was a punch to the gut. I’d obviously behaved like I’d been the president of partying, gambling, and womanizing with the best of Alphabet Row.

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