Page 29 of Daring to Love

“It can be. Come on…it’s just coffee., Amelie,” he murmurs in my ear. His voice is like silk, inviting and tempting me. He isn’t being fair, but I have the hardest time resisting him. I can’t lie to myself: I’m aching to see him…and the fact that he feels the same way – that he’s breaking his own rules about us – makes it so easy to relent.

“Okay. Give me half an hour, and I’ll meet you outside.”

“See you soon.”

Then he’s gone so quickly, I don’t even get the chance to mull it over. I check the time on the phone, taking a full minute to think about what is about to happen, but then I hurry up from my bed and fly into action.

I tear off my yoga pants and sweater and open my closet, peering at my clothes and hating my options. Most of my wardrobe is about practicality and definitely not girly.

“Aha!” I shout in triumph and close my fingers around a black skirt with white flowers printed on it and I nod in satisfaction. A simple, white t-shirt with glittery script saying I’d rather be a unicorn hangs next to it. That’ll do – casual, fun, but not too comfy that it won’t fit our coffee date.

Or…non-date?

I push the unwanted thought from my head and quickly take my clothes and hurry to my bathroom. I need to grab a quick shower before Finlay arrives.

This may not be a date, but there’s no reason to look like I’ve been struck down by the flu.

* * *

He’s even better lookingthan I remember.

It’s not fair, but as we sit on a bench in one of the two adjacent parks, Princess Street Gardens, with our Starbucks coffees in hand, I have to say I’m starting to enjoy the fluttering in my tummy whenever he aims those light chocolate-brown eyes at me, which is often. I’m glad he picked this spot as it always brings me peace, and the fact that Edinburgh Castle is only around the corner – well, up the hill, that is – is a bonus. I never tire watching the formidable castle, and I marvel once again at all the passing years it’s stood here.

Such stories it could tell if only bricks and mortar were able to speak.

“So, what have you been up to?” Fin takes a sip of his coffee, and I lick my lips at the sight of his Adam’s apple bob.

I wonder what his skin tastes like?

Outwardly, I try not to let the effect he has on me show, but it’s hard. I snap my head away and stare unseeingly straight ahead and try to find my voice.

“The usual. Dancing, studying…not much, to be honest.”

Ugh. I sound so boring!

“What about you?”

He scoots closer to me, as if he can’t help himself.

“Well, not much, either. My life pretty much consists of working, but since your people are preventing that, I’ve had way too much time on my hands.”

“Hmm.” I shrug. “I can’t really do anything about it. You know that, right?”

I sneak a glance at him, watching his strong profile. He’s pursed his lips as he mulls over my question.

“Yeah, I know. Doesn’t make me less frustrated, though.” He looks down at me from the corner of his eyes, and for the first time, I notice the lines around them.

“Mostly, I’ve been thinking about you,” he answers, his voice so quiet I’m glad we’re the only one in the park, or I might not have heard him. It’s too early for dinner, but a few people have passed us, striding quickly as they’ve no doubt been on their way home from work. “You fascinate me, Amelie.”

I try to steer the conversation away from myself.

“What do you do when you don’t work?”

“Not much, really. I fence, go to the cinema, hang out with friends…” He lets out a small, deprecating laugh. “My life isn’t exactly exciting.”

“You fence?” I turn to face him better, the tension ebbing away from my shoulders now that I’ve got him talking about something besides me. “Is it as difficult as it looks like?”

He grins down at me, and another belly-flip flutters inside me.