Page 55 of Protecting Love

Now he was just doing it on purpose.

Just like all those touches at the table. His fingers on hers. His hand on her thigh.

Like he thought there was a camera under there or someone was on their knees looking for those little romantic gestures.

“Just selling it like you wanted.”

Her lip curled as she marched into the bathroom, leaving him in the hall.

She took her time, refreshed her minimal makeup, checked her hair and teeth for food. That would have been just another way to cap off her night.

When she came out, he was still standing there.

“Did you fall in?”

She narrowed her eyes, and then he laughed. Really laughed.

As if it’d just snuck out without him being able to catch it.

The fact he was almost as appalled as her said everything.

It even relaxed her more than anything else had done.

Which shouldn’t have.

Not with the way his eyes softened. His lips relaxed. His cheeks lifted exposing the thin little wrinkles around his eyes.

“You should do that more,” she said, her voice betraying her need to stay firm.

“What’s that? Tease you?”

Her grin matched his. “So you’ve been doing that?”

“Obviously not that well if you have to ask,” he said dryly.

She couldn’t take another minute of this. “Let’s get out of here.”

“Just like that?” he asked. “Don’t you have to say goodbye to your family?”

“Nope. They will understand. And maybe I don’t want to walk back in there and have more eyes on me.”

His smile dropped. “Did you notice anyone or anything off?”

“No. I don’t like being the center of attention and I can hear them getting ready for speeches. I know others are moving around, but I’m done.” She turned her head to make sure no one else was close by. “And I’m hungry. I need some real food.”

“Tell me about it. Let me text Marcus.”

“Or, we can walk. It’s nice out.”

“In those shoes?”

“I could run a marathon in these,” she boasted.

“I’d pay to see that.”

“I’m sure you can run in a suit, so don’t be that way.”

“Not in heels,” he said.