Who knows what would have happened if Eli hadn’t woken up just now?
I wouldn’t have stopped. That much I did know.
I had nothing with me but my car keys which were still in the pocket of my sweater. I patted it just to make sure, and they answered with a reassuring jingle.
The urge to leave overcame me, but it wouldn’t solve anything. It would just put off another conversation about the fact we’d kissed.
A conversation that had, ultimately, led to us kissing again.
That and the fact me and my big mouth had let slip that I think he’s hot.
Really, I only had myself to blame. I was such an idiot.
My mouth was dry. I grabbed a glass from the cupboard and filled it using the dispenser from the fridge. I drank it in one, the coolness of the water soothing as it slid down my through.
Setting it by the side of the sink next to my empty wine glass, I took yet another deep breath, except this one was a steeling one. One that straightened my spine and grew me a pair of balls for the conversation I was about to have.
Brantley stood in the doorway, arms crossed, leaning against the doorframe. His eyes ran up and down my body, and though I shouldn’t have, I glanced at his crotch again.
Yep. Still noticeable.
I looked back up and met his eyes. He had one eyebrow cocked in amusement, and I bit the inside of my cheek so I didn’t justify the fact I’d just blatantly looked at his erection.
I mean…there was no justifying it, was there? Not really. I wasn’t going to apologize or anything.
“I half-expected you to be running out the door,” he commented.
“I decided to be an adult about it tonight,” I replied, fidgeting with my zipper.
“Is that why you can’t stand still like a toddler?”
“Pretty much.”
He laughed and pushed off the doorframe, dropping his arms to his sides. “Are you still here so we don’t have another awkward conversation with semi-sincere apologies tomorrow?
That was about right, yeah. “Basically.”
“Don’t worry, Kali. I didn’t intend to apologize again. You certainly don’t seem to want one.”
I opened my mouth, then paused. He was right. I didn’t want one. He didn’t need to apologize. “You don’t have to apologize again,” I said quietly. “But, this is against my company rules. I can’t get involved in any way with clients. So, this…” I waved my hand between us. “No matter how attracted we might be to each other, it can’t happen again. Okay?”
He leaned back against the counter, once again folding his arms. “Okay.”
“Okay? You’re…okay?” I blinked at him.
“What else do you want me to say? No, I insist you continue to break your rules?” He smirked. “I’m sorry I made you break a rule you obviously stand by…Most of the time.”
“Uh, all of the time, except for yesterday. And just now.” And probably the next time he decided to kiss me.
“Of course.” The smirk didn’t leave his face. “So, I’ll see you tomorrow?”
This conversation had done a one-eighty.
I decided to take it and run with it. “Tomorrow. Right. Bye.” I slipped past him, but he shot an arm out, stopping me.
His eyes searched mine, almost as if he were asking permission to say what he wanted to next. Something I didn’t know if I’d like when it left his mouth.
“I’m not sorry I kissed you, Kali. And I won’t apologize for the fact I want you.”
Boom. Boom. Boom. My pulse echoed in my ears, and I knew then, staying was a mistake. I should have gone when he was upstairs.
Because those words changed a lot.
I said nothing as he released my arm. I held his gaze for a moment too long—a moment that said he wasn’t lying about wanting me—and left.
And as I got in my truck and drove home, as I pulled up in my drive and let myself into my house…As I locked the door and ran upstairs to my bedroom and slumped onto the end of my bed, his words echoed around my mind.
I want you.
Chapter Eighteen
Jayda: You have got to learn to keep your tongue in your own mouth.
Me: You’re the one who made me have dinner with him.
Jayda: I didn’t make you do anything. I dangled a guilt bait in front of you and you took it.
Jayda: Besides, I didn’t make you shove your tongue down his throat, did I?
Me: It just happened.
Jayda: You know what just happens, Kali? Dropping a glass. Kicking the remote off your table. Forgetting about the peppers in the bottom drawer of your fridge. Those things just happen. Kissing someone does not just happen.
Seriously. You forget about peppers one time. One. Time. And you’re victimized over it for years. Pfft.
Me: It does just happen and it did just happen. Now I have to paint his house all day when his kids are at daycare.