Paige's stomach plummeted. "So she's going to expect us to act all lovey dovey?"
She knew this was a possibility, so she shouldn’t be freaking out. But ever since their near kiss at the pool last week, she wanted Gabe to be more than her physical therapist.
He set the cake on the roof of the car and planted himself in front of her.
Instinctively, she fell back a step, pressing her back against the car.
"We don't need to actlovey dovey, but she'll expect us to showsomeaffection toward each other. You are my girlfriend after all."
Fake girlfriend!
She wanted to scream the words but couldn't find her voice thanks to the tightness in her chest. For appearance's sake, even a fake relationship would have physical aspects. That thought had kept her awake half the night. She thought she'd come to terms with the show they would have to put on, but she had a feeling even fake affection from Gabe would affect her in a very real way.
He must have noticed her hand clenching the fabric of her dress again, because he stepped closer, closing the gap between them. "Do we need to practice so you don't recoil every time I touch you?" Without waiting for a response, he took her hand.
She uncurled her fist as his fingertips slid over her wrist and across her palm in a slow caress until his fingers laced through hers. Warmth shot up her arm followed by a tingling sensation as a rush of butterflies swarmed her stomach. He stood close enough for her to smell his woodsy cologne, and it wreaked havoc on her senses.
"See, this isn't so bad, is it?" The intensity of his gaze and his deep voice only added to the flood of sensations assaulting her.
He seemed to be completely unfazed by their proximity. In fact, he looked calm, composed, and…guarded.
"No." Did her voice sound as breathless as she felt?
Meeting his mom was terrifying but having him shower her with affection that took her breath away and left her wanting more scaredher to death. Her body didn’t understand that it wasn’t real. That Gabe was only pretending.
How do I keep my heart from getting involved when the simple touch of his hand sends sparks ricocheting through me?
The breeze blew a lock of hair across her face, but before she could swipe it away, Gabe’s fingers were on her cheek, gently tucking her hair behind ear. His fingertips lingered on her jaw as his eyes searched hers.
"This is important to me, Paige. I need to know I can count on you." His warm breath feathered across her face, sending a whole new wave of awareness shooting through her.
"You can count on me. I’m just…nervous." She couldn't concentrate with his gorgeous brown eyes boring into hers and his fingers still touching her face. She lifted her free hand to his chest to nudge him away, but she stilled when she met the firm muscle behind the fabric of his t-shirt. It was all she could do to keep from caressing the sculpted muscles.
His lips quirked as he looked down at her hand. He inched a little closer, trapping her hand between them. "I'm beginning to think you have a fascination with my chest, Miss Young."
He was right, but she'd never admit it. Her mind was too muddled to come up with a light-hearted comeback, so she simply held his gaze.
The desire to kiss him cascaded over her as though she’d just stepped into a warm shower. The sudden moisture in her mouth made her lips feel incredibly dry. She flicked her tongue out to moisten them.
He sucked in a sharp breath, and his grip on her hand tightened. The guarded look in his eyes vanished, replaced by something intense and primal. His composure slipped as he leaned toward her.
“Paige?” The raspy quality of his voice sent shivers ricocheting through her. He angled his head toward hers then paused mere inches from her lips; a questioning look in his heated gaze.
He’s going to kiss me.
There was no doubt in Paige’s mind this time.
And she wanted his kiss. More than anything. Even though it would catapult her attraction to him from a schoolgirl crush into full-blown infatuation.
But it would change everything. How did she go to PT after kissing him and pretend he was only her physical therapist?
The pull between them was more than she could withstand. Her heart raced in anticipation, stealing her breath, as she leaned into him and lifted her chin.
Kissing Just Gabe is a bad idea. A very bad idea.
Kissing Paige is a terrible idea.
Gabe would never be able to maintain his professionalism around her if he did.
