Page 13 of Slow Kind of Love

“I delayed leaving,” he said with a wink. “Wasn’t ready to give you up yet.”

Elise felt a flicker of annoyance as she stared back at the man in silence. “I…I have some place to be. I’m sorry, but I have plans.”

He smiled and winked again. God, she hated when he winked at her like that. As if she were a schoolgirl and he was the teacher.

“The fundraiser.”

She nodded, and his smile widened. “I’m here to escort you.”

“Does Boone know you’re still in town?” she asked. David was her son’s business manager, and he’d come to town for a series of meetings the week before. She’d known him for years, since he took her son on as a client when he was first signed to the Saints, and their relationship had always been professional. Until he’d asked her to dinner the week before, and, surprisingly, she’d accepted.

“Are you fucking him?”

Link’s voice echoed in her mind, and she winced. She hadn’t slept with David, though they’d come close. In the end, she told him she wasn’t ready to move on like that with a man, not so soon after her husband’s passing.

Of course, that had been a bunch of bull for a few reasons. A) She felt nothing when it came to her late husband, and B) she’d definitely tested those waters with Link.

And then some.

“I haven’t spoken to Boone since our last meeting two days ago. I had an appointment in Detroit and came back,” David replied, eyes narrowing a bit. He cleared his throat. “Have I read things wrong, Elise? I’ve enjoyed spending time with you.” He shrugged. “I didn’t want it to end, and I remembered you speaking about the fundraiser, and well…” He smiled at her again. “I thought it would be fun if we went together.” He shook his head. “No pressure or anything, but I’m not going to lie. You’re one hell of a woman, and it’s been a long time since I’ve met someone like you. I know I live in New York and your life is here, but…” He grinned at her, his handsome face relaxed. “I thought we could at least share one last hot chocolate.”

Elise hesitated, only because she was surprised to find him on her doorstep. At least that’s what she told herself.

“Okay,” she replied after a few moments. “That would be nice.” Elise quickly looped a pink scarf around her neck, pulled the matching knit hat onto her head, and shoved her feet into knee-high winter boots. David moved aside while she locked the door behind her, and then she followed him to his big black SUV. Ten minutes later, they’d parked downtown and made their way toward the park.

It was cold, but the sun shone brightly, and already, the turnout was fantastic. David kept up an animated conversation, though Elise found herself distracted and out of sorts and thinking of those damn lime-green panties and the man who’d taken them off her.

Get your head in the game, she thought, smiling up at David when he paused. She had no idea what he’d just said, but it felt like she should acknowledge his commitment to conversation.

He squeezed her shoulder, and for a moment, she didn’t like the familiarity and had to stop herself from jerking out of his grasp. Instead, she pointed toward the large pavilion and took a few steps.

“That’s where I’ve got to volunteer. Boone should be around somewhere if you want to hang out with him.”

Still smiling, she let her gaze wander over the crowd, searching for her son or Poppy. She stopped suddenly, eyes widening, mouth gone dry.

Jealousy. Big. Hot. All-consuming. Jealousy.

It fell over Elise. It fell into her. Filled her up with something she wasn’t used to feeling. That thought should have stopped her cold, but right now, Link was literally less than fifty yards from her, so she pushed it from her mind. He wasn’t alone. A dog trailed behind him a few paces, but that wasn’t what got her attention.

Elise’s smile was frozen, even as her eyes moved over the woman beside him—the young, beautiful, too-friendly woman he’d been with at the Blue Elephant. Her arm was threaded through Link’s as the two moved closer, and she smiled up at him. Said something that made him laugh.

God, she missed his laughter. The way he’d shake his head at her, trying his best not to laugh at something she’d said or done.

Hide.

The thought shouted through her mind. Elise took exactly one step back before Link swung his head her way, and their gazes locked.

Later, much later, when she was alone in her room with only Pancake for company and the wind whistling against her window, she’d think about that moment. Of how it hung suspended in the air, sucking out the world around her. The people. The noise. The snow. David. Even the woman on Link’s arm.

Everything ceased to exist.

Everything but Elise and Link.

It was in that moment she knew she was in trouble. She knew she’d been lying to herself with the notion that he was a just a warm body. A man who’d filled up the space between losing a husband and whatever came next.

When he walked toward her, those intense eyes of his seemingly glued to hers, she slowly let out the air in her lungs and waited. She was on fire. Her blood pumping, her nerves jangling. She was alive and nervous and jealous and…

How on earth had she thought she could give him up just yet? Even if all they shared was this intense physical bond. Even if they could never be a couple in the real sense of the word for so many reasons. Even if…

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