It felt so natural for David to brush his knuckles over my cheek that it happened before either of us had realized it. It was only a second, and he pulled back immediately. But it left my skin singing.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“You can’tdothat,” I said. “You can’t just do that.”
“I know. It just happened. I’m sorry.” He left down the other side of the bridge.
But, oh, I wanted it tojust happenagain. My reprimand was not because I didn’t want that, too, but because I was always on the verge of making a mistake with him. His intoxicating touch burned like wildfire through my body and straight to my core.
Helplessly, I followed, unsure of whether or not he wanted me to. When I caught up to him, I gestured to the right. “I’m going this way.”
“I didn’t know we had a destination,” he said, turning with me.
“I promised Lucy I’d check on things at their apartment while she’s away.”
After a couple blocks, David slowed to a stop in front of Lucy and Andrew’s building. “And here we are.”
“Here we are,” I echoed, watching him closely.
He rubbed his chin, as though debating. He went to stick his hand back into his pocket but pulled the lobby door open instead. I looked from him to the door and back.
“I’ll walk you up,” he said.
Goose bumps spread over my shoulders. There was no question in his voice.
And I didn’t protest.
I hid my face from the doorman as I waved in his direction, and David and I rode the eight floors up in silence. I located the keys and turned to him, leaning my back against Lucy and Andrew’s apartment door. “Thank you. I don’t know why, but I enjoy walking with you a lot.”
“I know why,” he said.
“Okay,” I prompted, fighting back a smile. “Why?”
“I’m not telling.”
I arched an eyebrow at him. “Really?”
“I just know these things. That’s why I’m such a great guy to have around.”
“It doesn’t do me any good if you withhold your great knowledge.”
“True,” he said, placing an outstretched hand against the doorframe. “But I’m withholding what I know for your own good.”
I nearly wiggled under his undivided attention. “Well, now I’m curious. Now youhaveto tell me.”
“Sorry, honeybee,” he said, his tone dropping. “Privileged information.”
“Friends don’t call friends ‘honeybee,’” I pointed out.
“Sure they do.”
“It’s flirtatious.”
“You can’t possibly think I don’t flirt with my female friends,” he said.
“You shouldn’t,” I said, my voice breathy. “You might give them the wrong idea.”
“And what idea is that?”
