Page 37 of The Daredevil

Michelle was affecting me on a level I wasn’t used to. When she complimented Grayson’s talent, an unexpected surge of jealousy erupted in me. What the hell was that all about? Grayson was my boy, and I’d never been jealous of him about anything. The idea that Michelle could like him bothered me more than I realized. I didn’t want her to be with anyone, but I had no right to claim that.

While standing in the guest bedroom with her and looking at the abundance of pillows, I wanted to push her down onto the bed and kiss her. My sense of control wavered around her. I was a trained scientist, a man who followed logic to get results. Somehow, I’d gotten into a gray area where I didn’t know where to go. I couldn’t even trust my own thoughts.

I didn’t like losing control.

Inviting her to stay in my apartment was probably a bad idea, but I was a man who loved a challenge. The more she enticed my sense of control, the more I wanted to know how far she could lure me before I snapped.

Did I dare travel down this route knowing I could get burned and never be the same?

Somehow, I knew Michelle was the end of one thing and the beginning of something else. I prayed the answer would come sooner than later.

CHAPTERSIXTEEN

ROYCE

Michelleand I walked to a nearby café for breakfast the next morning. I wasn’t a breakfast person, so I had nothing to feed her at my apartment.

Walking beside me, her floral fragrance filled my space. I turned, studying her profile, and my chest tightened at how beautiful she was. How had I not realized this before? I loved the way her long curly hair cascaded over her shoulder. My fingers curled, itching to touch it.

A breeze blew by, and she pulled the lilac sweater jacket closer. I didn’t mind the chilly weather and only wore a long-sleeve knit top. A stronger gust of wind sent dirt and leaves flying in our direction. Michelle squinted and turned, trying to block the debris with her hands. I wrapped my arms around her, cocooning her from the chill and the debris. It felt so good to hold her, and I stroked a hand down her hair.

When the wind stopped, she smiled up at me. “You give very nice hugs, you know that?”

I smiled back at her. “I do now. We can stay like this for a while if you want.”

Her stomach growled, and we both laughed.

Breaking free, we continued our walk. I should have been in the office today, but I took a day off to attend to my guest. There wasn’t anything I couldn’t do at home. Just a few conferences with the directors on the status of our projects and anything urgent that needed my approval. Sometimes I liked going into the office for a change in scenery. But today, Michelle was more intriguing than work.

“What would you like to eat for breakfast?” she asked, bumping her shoulder into my arm. “It’s my treat.”

“I don’t eat breakfast.”

She stopped in her steps and gaped at me. “Why not? It’s the most important meal of the day.”

I shrugged. “It was never my thing.”

Her lips twisted into an adorable pout. “What about coffee? Do you drink that? If not, I need to drag you to the hospital for an MRI. Something must be wrong with your brain. Coffee is life’s blood.”

I grinned at her serious expression. “I drink coffee.”

“Thank God.” She blew out a breath.

We arrived at the quaint café and got in line. She grabbed a muffin and a croissant while I ordered two cups of coffee and paid for everything.

“I was supposed to treat you.”

“Now you owe me.” I winked at her.

That hadn’t been the plan at all. I just wanted to buy food for her. It was no big deal. But now she owed me something. Being linked to me meant she couldn’t escape easily.

Why would she need to escape? Why was I having these odd thoughts?

Because you want her. You want to know why she’s affecting you.

“Okay, I’ll get you next time.” As we headed back to my apartment, she glanced around. “This is a cute residential area. It’s so close to everything.” She blew on her coffee and took a sip. “The last time I was here, I didn’t have time to see all the things I wanted to. I was only here for a few days.”

“Did you come with someone?”

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