This guy.Seriously.
A smirk was itching to spread, and I gave in to the urge, throwing an arm across the back of the booth.“Despite what you think about me, I’m not a bitch all the time.I am actually quite nice.To people I like.”
“Is that your way of saying that you like me?”
I expected a denial or a change of subject.What I didn’t expect was for Sam to meet my eyes across the table or for the rolling wave of goosebumps that erupted across my skin.
Sweet heaven, his eyes were mesmerizing.So soft and caring.For all his sharp edges and defensive tactics, there was a gentleness to Sam I hadn’t noticed before.Dammit.Didn’t he know that was my kryptonite?
“Could be.”
The fluttering in my chest increased.“Don’t hurt yourself there.You almost gave me a compliment.”
“Tiffany,” he said, and there was that look again.Sam.Always so serious.I giggled, and pleasure rippled through me when he smiled in return.Oh.Oh, that was nice.
Suddenly, keeping his gaze was too much.Shifting in my seat, I dropped my attention back to the table.
There were several good options here.He seemed to favor warm tones and natural materials, which I appreciated.In particular, I was drawn to a mockup of the back bar that mimicked industrial shelving and what appeared to be pocket alcoves within a mammoth copper and concrete structure, inlaid with alternating grating or mirrors and a Tetris design that would really show off the alcohol.
It looked fucking cool.
“This is amazing.”It came out easily, the awe apparent in my voice.“Did you design this?”
“I did.”Holy shit.“It’s been something I’ve had on the back burner for a while now.I just haven’t had the right space to try it in.”
I couldn’t believe it.It was beautiful.“I thought you said you were having issues.”I met his gaze.“This doesn’t look like an issue.It looks like my dream bar come to life.”
Long eyelashes fluttered against his cheeks (could I just stop noticing his face now, please?) as he took the compliment.
I moved to hand back the sketch as Sam reached forward to take it, and.Our hands brushed.Minimally.So softly, I wanted to cry.Just the lightest glide of his fingers against mine and everything stopped.
My brain shut down and rebooted itself.I pulled my hand back, wanting to hold it to my chest but dropping it awkwardly to my lap instead.
Strained, he said, “Thank you.But it’s too much of a risk for now, so I’ll reconsider it maybe in a year.”
Sam looked flushed.My ears felt hot.Was Sam blushing right now?Electricity buzzed along my spine.
This really was starting to get weird.I prayed for him to shut down or insult me so we could get back to normal.
“Then, you’re a bigger ass than I thought because this is incredible.”Ok, that was better.Half insult, half compliment.
Sam nodded, a small smile still playing on his lips.Lips that I definitely did not need to be paying any goddamn attention to.When his tongue snuck out to wet his bottom lip, I realized I was still staring.Fuck.Get back on track.“In my experience, it’s worth taking a risk every once in a while.No risk, no reward, right?”
Seafoam eyes stared back at me, charged with … what?What was he thinking about right now?
“Ok.”
My skin tingled.“Ok?”
“Yes.I’ll call contractors in the morning.”
“Wow.”I fought the urge to squirm under his open gaze.“I don’t know what’s made you so pliant all of a sudden, but keep it up.Maybe now you’ll actually start listening to me.”
“Tiffany.”It was a familiar scolding, although now flooded with fondness and a growing familiarity.When had that even happened?And dammit, the way he said my name did things to me.How had I not noticed it before?I dug my clipped nails into the soft pad of my palm, but it did nothing to calm the growing need in between my thighs.
Fucking hell, body.
GET A GRIP.
