Page 21 of Daring to Love

“That’s very kind of you.”

I stand up and move to stand behind her, ready to help her. As her chair wobbles, I’m quick to reach out and wrap my hands around the top of it to steady it, and I come close to touching her.

I want to touch her everywhere, but I can’t.

The strangest sensation of needing to feel her in even the smallest, most innocent way simply to know what her skin feels like runs through me, but I don’t want to scare her off – or to overstep the boundary there has to exist between us while I get to know her for the sake of my job. And yet…I can’t deny the attraction I feel slowly building between us. The confident woman I saw dancing tonight hasn’t been present tonight, making me wonder why that is.

There are two sides to Amelie Winters, and I’m curious to uncover both.

As if of their own volition, my fingertips brush the nape of her neck, and I breathe deeply at the feel of her soft tendrils of hair. She lets out a low gasp and I lean down, unable to stop myself.

“That’s the second time tonight you’ve told me that,” I whisper, “but it’s not who I am.” I come dangerously close to brushing her earlobe with my tongue, but I tamp down the urge to taste her. “I’m not a kind man, Amelie. Only an honest one.”

I shiver as she tips her head back to gaze up at me, but the innocence in her eyes takes my breath away. She glances to my lips, and it becomes near impossible to breathe.

Fuck. I’m trembling as if I’m a young schoolboy. Instead of lingering so close to her, I straighten my back and take a tentative step away from her, but her questioning gaze only follows me, tempting me.

Asking me something in a hidden language that I can’t translate.

“I’ll go settle the bill.”

I don’t care that my voice sounds brusque. I need to get back in control, and the only way I can do that is by putting some distance between us.

I can feel her stare at my back as I wait for my turn at the bar, but no matter how much she’s calling to me, I refuse to give in.

Oh, but what I wouldn’t give for a kiss goodnight…

Finally, Gavin turns my way, and again, I ignore the speculative glint he aims at me.

“The bill, please.”

He bends to retrieve Amelie’s bag from below the bar and shakes his head.

“It’s on the house.”

I frown at him.

“Don’t look at me like that,” he warns as he crosses his arms. “It wasn’t my idea, but Maggie said given what day it is, we should treat Amelie.” A long-suffering sigh leaves his lips. “Told her it’s bad for business, that customers will start thinking we’ve grown soft, but she never listens to me. Nope. Women, eh?”

Thoroughly confused, I lean my elbows on the bar.

“What’s today? Why is it so special?”

He grunts. “Don’t tell me you don’t know?”

I shake my head, wishing he’d stop talking in riddles.

“I don’t.”

“Why, it’s Amelie’s birthday, lad.” He narrows his eyes at me. “You’re in a wee pile of horseshit now, aren’t ye? You forgot it’s your girlfriend’s birthday, and now it’s too late to get her a present.” He whistles softly and relaxes his stance. “Almost feel sorry for you now.”

“Thanks.”

He turns an almost sympathetic glance my way, as he moves away to serve another customer, but I don’t have time to dwell on his revelations before I feel her presence close to me again.

I steel my features, not giving my thoughts away, only giving her a polite smile when she extends her hand, and I look down to see the handles of my bag firmly grasped in her small fist. I crack a small smile as we exchange bags.

“Thank you. I’d almost forgot I had it with me.”