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“Okay?” he said, tilting his head again, and holding my gaze.
“Okay.”
“And I know you’re dying to sleep with me,” he said, and my body froze. “But I got us two beds.”
“Oh damn. I was really hoping to try out my seductress skills,” I joked, fluttering my eyelashes for good measure.
“You don’t need to try.” His tone deepened. “You’ve already mastered it.”
My lips parted. The world faded around us, and I knew I should have said something. Anything. I was quick, witty, always able to go blow for blow with banter, but he thought I mastered my seductress skills.
Now would be the time to show them off. But my lips were stuck in position, brain malfunctioning. I wouldn’t be surprised if smoke was swirling out of my ears as my brain tried to jump start itself.
Finally, my lips and brain remembered how to function. It felt like a year, but only seconds had passed. “It was the way I ate those mozzarella sticks, wasn’t it?”
“Oh yeah. The grease dripping down your chin really sold it.”
My mouth dropped open. “I did not drool.”
He held up his thumb and pointer, squeezing them close. “A little.”
“For the price of those things, they should not have been greasy. Also, for that price, someone should have sat beside me and blotted my face. Just saying.”
“The price is really bothering you.” He pressed his lips into a thin line. “You’re going to hate the hotel.”
“Nero Francis, what did you do?”
“You’ll see.” His long fingers wrapped around my hand, and he pulled me toward the street. Warmth flowed through me as his thumb brushed softly against my knuckle. “You okay to walk? It’s not far,” he asked and dropped his hold.
I immediately wanted to grab it back. “A walk sounds nice. Have to walk off the burger and those two mozzarella sticks.”
He snorted and guided me to the edge of the sidewalk, waiting to cross. We made our way across and down the street, moving at a comfortable but brisk walk. At least for me. Nero seemed as if he was struggling to keep a slower pace. It wasn’t my fault I wasn’t blessed with long legs.
The warm sun beat on us, and in an hour or so, it would set, letting the approaching fall air cool down the night. It was my favorite time of year, and I would make any excuse to go outside no matter the time.
My phone buzzed and I slipped it out of my bag. A text from Sherry flashed on my screen.
Sherry: Rhone just said your car broke down and you’re stranded there with Nero!? He better keep his lips to himself this time.
I bit back a laugh and tapped a reply.
Lainey: I can handle your brother. Car has been towed. Will know more in the morning.
Sherry: Do you need me to come?
Lainey: No.
Nero’s hands landed on my shoulder and he maneuvered me to the left. I glanced up and realized he saved me from walking head first into a telephone pole.
“Thank you.”
“Austin asking you a million questions?”
“No, it’s Sherry. Rhone told her about the car. She’s offering to come here.”
“Anything to keep me away from you.”
“You did kiss me.”
