The sight of him is devastating.
Here, the reality of him is even more striking.The man in sweats sitting by the pool, the intimidating lawyer who pulled James off me… this Matthew embodies both, with an added layer of power.
He’s wearing a dark navy suit, cut to accent his broad shoulders and lean frame.His light grey tie is loosened slightly, his brown hair neatly styled.But it’s his intense jade eyes, unguarded for a fleeting moment, that hold me captive.
He looks…
Surprised?
But then, a different expression flickers across his face.
Appreciation.
His gaze sweeps my dress, my hair, my face… a slow smile spreads across his lips.
The blue folder grows heavy in my hand.A flimsy shield against the heat in his gaze.I force a brittle mask of calm onto my face, but my pulse hammers in my ears.
After a curt nod to the hostess, Matthew takes a step toward me, and my world narrows.
He reaches out, capturing my hand.I expect a handshake, but he turns my palm over, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to my knuckles, his eyes never leaving mine.
The warmth of his lips.
The firm pressure of his fingers.
The sharp intake of my own breath.
A thrill shoots through me, my grip on the blue folder loosening, my purse slipping in my left.
“Please allow me,” he says, taking the folder and purse to place them on the empty seat beside him.
Then, with a hand light on the small of my back, he guides me to the chair across from his.It’s a table for four, but with only two place settings, directly facing each other.
I sink into the plush teal chair he pulls out.A murmur of ‘thanks’ is all I can manage.I’m off balance, reeling from the unexpected gesture and his proximity.
Matthew moves with easy confidence.
I shouldn’t stare.
I should be thinking about the precarious future of my café.
Instead, I’m caught watching him settle into his seat.How his hands move as he adjusts his cuffs.The way his hair falls slightly across his forehead.He loosens his tie a fraction more.A subtle gesture, but it drags my eyes to the strong column of his neck.
His eyes catch mine, a slight smile playing on his lips, and the bottom drops out of my stomach.
Focus, Amy.
Focus.
“Beautiful view,” I blurt out, turning to the window, trying to regain a little control.
The dark water of the lake stretches out before us, its horizon defined by a long line of twinkling lights.Drawn by his prolonged silence, I risk a glance back.Those deep greens are fixed on me.He seems caught off guard for a brief moment.
He gives himself a quick, almost imperceptible shake and clears his throat.“Yes,” he agrees, his voice a little rougher than before.“It’s one of the best views in town.”
“I didn’t even know this place existed,” I admit.
“Really?I’m surprised your fianc—” He stops himself, cutting off the word abruptly, a muscle twitching in his jaw.“Sorry,” he says a little too quickly.“Not my business.”
