“This job is so new and so important.”
Christien yanked his attention back to the conversation, not liking the turn it was taking.
“I don’t need any distractions right now.”They reached her apartment building and she turned to him.
He took her hand and was relieved when she didn’t pull away.“Do you think I’m a distraction?”
“Yes.”
“A good distraction or a bad distraction?”He rubbed her knuckles.Her eyes darkened and her fingers trembled.
“Bad.”
He took a step closer.“Bad can sometimes be good.”
She yanked her hands away, obviously flustered.“This isn’t a good time for me to have a relationship.”
Stunned, he stared at her for a moment.She didn’t know.She didn’t know Lucheux had thrust her into Christien’s life to distract him.Lucheux hadn’t coaxed her into lying to him.He’d merely used her looks to get to Christien.Otherwise she wouldn’t be trying to push him away.Unless she was a very, very good manipulator, but he didn’t believe she was.
His relief was so profound that he tightened his hold on her fingers so she wouldn’t see his hands shake.But the realization only led to more questions and prodded his instincts to protect her even more.Her innocence meant danger to her.
He cleared his throat.Of course he couldn’t let her walk away.Not now.But he also couldn’t kidnap her and keep her locked up for her own safety.
He skimmed his fingers up her arm, feeling the goose bumps rise.A ray of sunlight caught on the key at her neck, drawing his attention to it and making him believe more than ever that she was the key Michael spoke of.
He put his hand beneath her chin.Slowly she raised her eyes to his.
“I can wait,” he said softly even though every instinct told him not to let her out of his sight.
She stepped back, breaking their contact.He allowed her the room she needed, but would only let her go so far.He said he would wait, but he lied.He was through with waiting.However, he would give her the illusion of time if that was what she wanted.
“Why would you wait?I’m a hick from farm country.You’re…” She waved her hand in the air.
“I’m what?”They were standing so close that every time she breathed her chest brushed against his.He had to grit his teeth to keep from taking her in his arms.
“This isn’t a joke,” she whispered.
“Oh, I know.”
“You’re way out of my league.”
“I don’t play baseball.”
Her lips thinned.To keep from laughing or because she was perturbed?
“You’re exasperating,” she said.
“I’ve been called worse.”
“I’m sure you have.”
“Kiss me.”
“Christien…”
“Kiss me, Madelaine.”
“This is going beyond exasperation into frustration.You’re not listening to a word I’m saying.”
