Sway (Landry Family 1)

“True.”

“But at the same time, you have to take some risks to reap rewards.”

“I’m not much of a risk taker.”

He turns to face me, searching me for something. I can smell his cologne heating under the warm afternoon sun as he rolls back the cufflinks of his shirt. His forearms are tanned and toned, adorned with his silver watch. It’s a mix of casual and sophisticated, boy-next-door meets powerful enigma.

“Do you see me as a risk, Alison?”

My breath catches in my throat. “Absolutely.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re . . . you,” I whisper.

Before I know what’s happening, he takes the step that separates us. His body is nearly touching mine, a paper-thin margin the only thing between us.

I look up into his eyes, see the stubble dotting his hard jaw line, the slight angle to his nose that gives him more sex appeal than it takes away.

Our eyes lock. After a slight hesitation, his face lowers inch-by-torturous-inch.

I take in a quick breath as our lips touch. The contact zips through me, making me tingle from head to toe. His hands fall to the small of my back, gently yet firmly encouraging me to draw closer to him.

Pulling back shakily, I see his breathing is as erratic as mine. We watch each other like we don’t know whether to devour the other or walk our separate ways.

I want the first, but know I need to do the second. The look in his eyes tells me he feels the same way. I can’t be much good for his campaign either. As I turn over the options in my mind, what I want and what I need, the alarm goes off on my phone.

Barrett watches with confusion as I pull the dev

ice out of my pocket and turn it off.

“I have to go,” I say, my tone mixed with regret and relief. “I’m working tonight for Luxor. I have to be there a little early, hence the alarm.”

He runs his hand through his hair, mussing up the silky locks. His jaw opens and shuts before he finally looks resolved. “Okay.”

With a little slump in his shoulders, he leads me around the side of the house.

The pace is quick and my nerves bound right along with it. I’m not sure how to wrap this up. My head spins a thousand different options, but before I know it, he stops and pulls me in front of him.

“Do you want to see me again?”

It’s a simple question, yet one I stumble to answer.

“Barrett . . .”

“That’s not a no.”

“That’s not a yes, either,” I grin.

He smiles, too, and it ingrains itself in my memory. “I’ll call you soon. Maybe we can find a day we both have open.”

“Maybe.”

“I’d like that.”

“I think I’d like that, too,” I whisper.

His eyes light up and he starts to speak, but seems to think better of it. Instead, he kisses my cheek again and walks me to my car.