“There won’t be a better time, but I respect your privacyandI have my own reservations.”Frowning, she said, “Wait a minute, aside from the fact that you lost your money, what else did you want to tell me?”
“I want you.”
The short, direct sentence sucked away her ability to reason.For a couple of seconds, she didn’t know how to respond, then a mischievous grin curved her lips.“When God was distributing finesse, it must have run out on you.”
His smile was sheepish.“I’m sorry, that came out wrong.I do want you, but what I meant was, I’m interested in you.”
Eyebrow raised, she teased, “That’s not a whole lot better.You make me sound like a project, you know, like building an app or something.”
His skin flushed, and he made a sound in his throat.“Let me reassure you, no app can compare with you.Not now, or ever.”
He reached across the desk, and she placed her hand in his.While searching her eyes, his thumb gently stroked her skin, which sucked away her breath.She licked her bottom lip, thankful for the block of wood that separated them.When he stroked her palm and his eyes darkened, a soft smile broke over her lips.He wanted to kiss her.Since she was determined it wouldn’t happen again in the office, she leaned back in her seat, separating their hands.
“That’s really not helping anything,” he said, his voice husky.
“Speak for yourself.I’m not about to have someone walk in here and find us doing things that will make people look at us funny.”
“I’d never do anything to put your reputation at risk.”
“I hear you, but after yesterday, I prefer caution over carelessness.”
He relaxed in the chair as he studied her.“I’d say you’re a coward, but you wouldn’t take it kindly.”
“And I might think you’re inclined to be reckless, but that wouldn’t be true.”
He nodded.“But sometimes, I wonder with the way things turned out for me.”
While he focused on the silver queen plant in the corner, a range of expressions crossed his face.The moment his attention returned to her, Lizette guessed he was struggling.If she read him correctly, he didn’t know whether he’d just made a move that could positively change his life, or plunge him further into disaster.
She truly understood because Wintertime was her life, her reason for being.Looking away from it might lead to consequences she couldn’t reconcile, if things went sideways.Moving from the seat to stand next to him, she said, “Why don’t we do this?”
Chapter 16
“Ididn’tknowIneededthis.”Shomari lifted the basket, the cooler, and a blanket from the van, shut the door, then turned his face to the sun.Its warmth always centered him, giving him the impression of normality he needed.They had left the zoo moments ago and returned to her van for the picnic lunch she’d prepared.
“Neither did I, but I figured it was a great way to ease us into knowing each other a little better.”
“You were right about that.”He joined their hands, conscious that neither of them was exactly comfortable.The gentle charges that pulsed through him each time they touched continued to throw him off guard, which in turn, made him reluctant to get closer to Lizette.He couldn’t afford to lose his heart to her.Not right now anyway.And not with the baggage he was carrying.Going out with her while working for her didn’t feel right, which reminded him of his job search and the interview he had lined up for next week.
She squeezed his hand, which brought him back to her side.“Why do I feel your mind went somewhere else just now?”
Nodding, he admitted, “It did.”
She didn’t pressure him to explain, and he appreciated that.“Let’s find a good spot,” he said, “Preferably with lots of shade.”
“Agreed.”
Five minutes later, they found an African tulip tree with reddish-orange blossoms scattered on a carpet of grass.He unfolded the blanket and spread it in the deepest part of the shade.When he finished, Lizette squirted sanitizer into his hand and hers and dug into the basket.
“I hope you like rotisserie chicken?”she said, while laying out covered dishes and disposable plates.
“I do.What else do you have there?Looks like enough to feed a small army.”
She eased the hair behind one ear.“There’s chicken, ham slices, rolls, a little vegetable, crackers, cheese, and banana bread.”
“You thought of everything.Wasn’t I supposed to bring the dessert?”
“Yes, but I had time, so I baked a little something.”
