Page 70 of Seduction Under the Southern Stars
“New Zealand dollars? Ah, about seventeen grand, return.”
I whistle, and he looks smug. He likes being rich. Of course he does! Who wouldn’t?
“So… flying to Queenstown doesn’t bother you?” he asks.
“No, I don’t get claustrophobic as such. On the plane I’d be with you, anyway. If it wasn’t a charter flight, I don’t think I’d be able to go to the bathroom.” I stop and redden. “Sorry, TMI.”
“No, it’s okay, it helps me understand. Well, if you need to go, I could always come in with you.”
“Linc!”
“What?”
“Like I could pee with you watching.”
“I’d look the other way.”
“With you listening, then. Jeez.”
“I’m just saying, whatever you need… It’s a tough job, but I’d be happy to do it.” He makes himself laugh then, and my lips curve up.
“You’re incorrigible,” I scold.
“And you love it.” He scrapes up the final spoonful of Tiramisu and holds it out to me. “Go on, finish it off.”
I lean forward and close my lips around the spoon, only realizing then that it’s his, and it’s been inside his mouth. That should gross me out, but it doesn’t because he gave it to me without thinking, and anyway his tongue has already been inside my mouth, and oh my God now I blush for real.
“Wow,” he says, retrieving the spoon and lowering it to the dish. He looks amused as he studies my cheeks. “You really know how to blush.”
“Shut up.”
He leans on the table, his gaze caressing my face. I glare back at him.
“You’re gorgeous,” he says softly.
“Go away.”
“Were you thinking about kissing me?”
“Absolutely not.”
He chuckles at the obvious lie.
“Want to do it again?” he asks.
“Oh my God. Stop it. You can’t tease me like this when we go to Queenstown. I’ll permanently be the color of a tomato.”
He grins. “Absolutely I can. I like you flustered over me.” He winks. “You want a coffee?”
“No, I’m full up.”
“Come on then, I’ll walk you back to your apartment.”
He pays, refusing my offer to go halves, and we walk slowly back. The streets, bars, and restaurants are busy, filled with couples and friends talking and laughing.
Linc holds out his hand. I look at it, then up at his face. He smiles. So I slip my hand into his, and we walk like any other boyfriend and girlfriend who are enjoying each other’s company, and who like to be touching.
When we get to the apartment, we stop outside.
