“I’m sorry. I just can’t understand how you can have so much rock solid muscle!”
I frowned. “Does that bother you?”
She pulled her head back again. “No, not at all. It’s actually turning me on.”
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my body down and eradicate the myriad of sensual thoughts that were running through my brain.
“Are you always so blunt?” I managed to ask.
She smirked. She had to know the effect her closeness and her words were having on me. “My dad always told me to be honest. That’s one of the few things that has stuck with me.”
I looked into her eyes, and then my gaze traveled down to her full, inviting lips. She lifted her face towards mine and I began to lean in.
“Clayton?”
For a second, I was confused.Who’s Clayton? Oh yeah, that’s supposed to be me.
“Yes?” Our lips were nearly touching.
“What were you going to tell me?” She whispered.
My brain was still in a fog. “Tell you?”
“You were going to tell me something before you got attacked by a plate of spaghetti.”
“Right.” I pulled back and looked again into her eyes, all of the exhilaration from moments before turning to dread. I tried to gather my thoughts, to find the right words, but they wouldn’t come. I needed more time. I had to find the perfect words and phrases to explain, or better yet, I could write her a letter. That would be appropriate, wouldn’t it?
I reluctantly pulled out of her embrace. “I’ll tell you on Saturday,” I said. “Is that okay?”
For a moment she looked apprehensive, but then she smiled. “Sure,” she replied. “I just hope you’re not going to tell me you’re a cyborg or something.”
I chuckled. “I’m definitely not a cyborg.”
“A vampire?”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m a human. Just a man. Although, when I’m with you, I feel like Superman.”
Glory made a face. “That was really cheesy.”
I ducked my head in embarrassment. “Yes, it was.”
“Good thing I like cheese.”
I drove her home and said goodnight, wanting once again to kiss her, but refraining. I just couldn’t kiss her while I was still lying to her. Perhaps not telling her the truth yet had been an act of cowardice. But beyond that, regardless of what happened, I wanted to look back and remember that I had had one absolutely perfect day with Glory Parker.
Chapter Twenty One: Glory
I took my time putting the art supplies away, taking advantage of the break after my hectic class to think about Clayton and all the amazing things we had done in the past two weeks. It was almost like I was living in a dream. Being with Clayton was intoxicating, but he also had a way of putting me at ease. I felt as if I had known him my entire life. I hated to admit it, but I was on the verge of falling hopelessly in love with him. He was kind and attentive and funny and interesting, and man was he attractive. Seeing him shirtless had pretty much rocked my world. Just thinking about it was making my mouth water. I only wish that I had been able to stop rambling on about it like some kind of idiot.
I would have happily gotten lost in thoughts of Clayton for hours, but I needed to get back to work. I closed up the art studio and headed to the front to help Yvonne, but I was intercepted by Piper coming through the door.
“Glory! I wanted to stop by and make sure you’re still coming tonight. I haven’t seen you all week!”
“Yeah, I’ve been a little preoccupied,” I said, unable to keep myself from smiling.
Piper waggled her eyebrows. “Oh, I see. What’s his name?”
“Clayton.”
