A heavy sigh parted her red lips. ‘Idotrust you.’
‘Maybe. But I’ve found that trust isn’t a blanket statement.’ She looked up at me, confused, so I went on. ‘You trust an electrician to fix faulty wiring in your house, which is different from trusting a friend to be honest with you about an outfit. You trust the bank to keep your money safe over a cardboard box under your bed. Saying you trust someone could mean a million different things. You might trust me not to hurt youphysically. That doesn’t mean you trust me not to do itemotionally.’
Her throat bobbed, cheeks twitching in an effort to keep her features schooled.
‘This is a really shitty first date topic. Shouldn’t you start with what’s your favourite colour?’
‘Maybe if we were in primary school. And this first date is under a unique set of circumstances,’ I argued. ‘We’ve known each other for nearly a year and we’ve already kissed twice, so all my usual moves on a first date wouldn’t work.’
Intrigue shone in her eyes. ‘What’s one of your first date moves?’
I hesitated, my drink half way to my lips. ‘Depends.’
‘On?’ Her unpainted nails tapped on the rim of her glass.
‘Well,’ I started. ‘If I’m out with a guy, I usually let them take the lead. I never want to make someone uncomfortable, so if they’re not fond of PDA or if they’re not out yet, my moves are a lot more subtle. Less forward.’
She nodded in understanding. ‘And if you’re out with a woman?’
Deciding to show her instead of explaining, I took thedrink from her hand, enjoying the soft lift of her brow as she waited for what I was about to do next. Watching every tick of her facial muscles, careful not to push her too far out of her comfort zone, I laced my fingers around her wrist. Her pulse quickened. I placed her palm flat on my thigh, resting my hand on top of hers, keeping it in place. She watched the movement.
‘Bit forward, don’t you think? This close to your crotch.’ Humour tugged at the corners of her lips. Jesus, this woman couldn’t undergo a romantic moment without sticking a pin in it.
Once again, I ignored her obvious attempts to dampen the electricity flickering between us. ‘Not done yet, sweetheart.’ With my free hand, I trailed it up her arm, a feather-light touch, all the way up her neck and toyed with the baby hairs at the base of her neck.
I couldn’t help but smile when I caught the soft hitch of her breath.
Her pink tongue darted out to wet her lips, and goddammit, I regretted being this close to her. I was supposed to be teaching her how to date, not imagining those wet lips wrapped around my cock.
‘And then I’d gaze into your eyes for a few seconds,’ I murmured. Not needing to put on much of a show—the love-struck expression on my face, far from being fake.
The sound of a squealing microphone pierced through the room, effectively popping our bubble of intimacy. Rosie jolted back with a nervous laugh and my hand fell from her neck.
The last thing I wanted to do was sit and watch a comedy show with an erection. But here we were.
Rosie picked up her glass, her fingers tapping the side nervously. Hating that I knew I was the cause of her nerves, I slid my arm around her and tugged her into my side. Herbutt slid on the leather seat, and her eyes widened for a beat before I turned my attention to the stage, attempting to listen to what the guy on stage was saying. The front row chuckled softly.
Her body was stiff against mine. I dipped my head down to speak into her ear, sensing her discomfort.
‘Don’t think too hard, sweetheart. Dating is supposed to be fun.’
A sharp glare shot up at me as she tilted her head back so our eyes connected. I’d take her scowls and daggers any day of the week. Anything other than seeing the uncharacteristic anxiety stir beneath her otherwise cool and collected surface.
‘We have different definitions of fun,’ she grumbled, taking a drink and settling against my side, fixing her gaze on the comedian.
15
My skin was on fire.Scratch that.Everythingwas on fire. I barely remembered any of the comedy act. A shame because the guy had been killing it. The room had been in fits of laughter for most of the evening. But I couldn’t focus on anything with George’s hand on my thigh. He slowly drew circles on my leg as if he was turning over soil in a pot. And right now, I was close to burning up.
He held onto my hand as we headed out of the darkened club. He tucked me close to his side as we walked past a group of people with cigarettes dangling between pinched fingers.God, I could use a smoke right now.
Anything to calm the raging arousal thrumming through my body.
I could lie to myself and say it was simply because of the lack of action I’d been getting lately. That I would have this reaction to anyone I found attractive. The truth was, I’d never felt this way. Never had this intense attraction to another person that felt like lava replaced my blood, and all rationality fizzled away at the faintest touch. Never had Iwanted someone so much that I could barely grasp hold of why it could never happen. Whywecould never happen.
George opened the passenger side door—I still couldn’t get used to his chivalry—and I didn’t look at him as I got in. I needed to find that thin tether to my sanity that conveniently left me whenever this man was around.
If I needed any more concrete evidence that it would never work, I mentally slapped myself over the head with the major one.
