Don’t look. Don’t look. Don’t?—
He caught her hand.
Her fingers trembled against his. She tried not to grip back, but her body had other plans. Her breath hitched. Still, she didn’t meet his eyes.
“Kiki,” he said again, gentler this time. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she said too quickly. “It’s been a nice day. That’s all.”
“Then why are you shaking?”
She flinched as he turned her toward him. His palm cupped her cheek with devastating tenderness, and his thumb brushed her chin until she had no choice but to lift her gaze.
Damn him.
Damn his warmth. His steadiness. The way he looked at her like he already knew something was broken inside her—and didn’t care.
“I’d like to see you again,” he said, his voice low and certain. “Tomorrow.”
A shard of panic lanced through her ribs.
“There won’t be a tomorrow,” she murmured, shaking her head in denial. “We’re done. The promise was for today. One date.”
Surprise flickered across his face. Then confusion. Then something harder.
“Kiki—”
“No,” she said, trying to pull away. “It was nice. Really. But I’m not interested in seeing you again.”
“That’s a lie.”
Her jaw tightened. “You don’t know me.”
“Maybe not,” he said. “But I know what I felt. I saw your face when you laughed. I felt it every time you leaned just a little closer.”
“I didn’t?—”
“You did.” His voice was calm. “Unless there’s someone else? Are you seeing someone?”
“That’s none of your damn business.”
“Are you gay? I’m cool with that. I just want to know if I have a chance.”
Her head snapped up, her eyes flaring. “Wow. Really?”
He shrugged, unapologetic. “I’m trying to understand what you’re so afraid of.”
“I’m not afraid of you,” she spat.
“No,” he said, his eyes locked on hers. “But you’re terrified of something.”
She opened her mouth to lash out—but he stepped forward, close enough that the heat of him swirled into her breath. He didn’t touch her this time. He didn’t need to.
“Then give me a kiss,” he added in a low, daring tone.
She frowned in confusion. “What?”
“One kiss. That’s all I want.”
