Things We Never Said (Hart's Boardwalk 3)
I flushed at the compliment. “Whatever. It pays ludicrously well, and I’m an art student. I need the money.”
“I’m not judging. Gotta say, though, if you were mine, I wouldn’t be happy you were doing this.”
Great, another Neanderthal like Gary. It was like they grew them on trees here. “Listen, Macho Man, no one tells me what to do.”
“Oh, I got that sense when you flipped me off, dahlin’.”
Ignoring the tingles his endearment elicited, I cocked my head in thought. “So, if you’re a cop, you’ll know that being a perv is frowned upon, right?”
He chuckled. “I can’t believe I’m having this conversation. And yes, that is true. But I’m not a perv. I promise.”
“All evidence to the contrary.”
“Fuck, if I’d known you were this smart, I wouldn’t have sat down,” he teased.
“You’re welcome to leave,” I replied, though inwardly I thought, “Please don’t.”
“The seat is comfortable, and I’m finding your smart mouth extremely appealing right now.” His dark eyes grew hooded as it fell to my lips.
My heart raced as this invisible rope seemed to lasso around us both, drawing us closer and closer. I didn’t understand it. Every nerve ending tingled with life, my skin was hot, and my whole being was lit with awareness.
“I have a boyfriend,” I blurted out.
Michael’s disappointment was obvious. We looked at each other for a few seconds, and then he asked, “Serious?”
I shrugged. “We haven’t been dating long, but it’s good.”
“How long is not long?”
“Two months.”
His lips twitched. “That’s not long at all.”
I tried not to smile and failed. “You’d go after another guy’s girl?”
“Never have before, but you’re the exception to the rule.”
“I am?” My heart was bursting.
Michael nodded. “You can’t tell me you don’t feel this?”
Biting my lip, I nodded slowly.
Something hungry flickered in his expression.
Wow.
I shook my head, as if to shake off the indescribable urge to jump him. This was insane. “I wouldn’t cheat. Not ever.”
“Neither would I,” he promised. “Sit with me a while.”
I wondered if that was a good idea.
“What are you thinking?”
“How much I shouldn’t have liked that you were disappointed that I have a boyfriend.”
“Speaking of, does he know you’re working here?”