I laughed despite myself. "You're impossible."
"So I've been told." He stood, came around the desk. "We need to practice."
"Practice what?"
"Being comfortable with each other. Physically." He extended his hand. "Stand up."
"Don't be so bossy," I grumbled as I stood, aware of how much taller he was. How close. How his cologne—expensive and cedar-scented—made me want to lean in.
"If we're dating," he said, "I'll touch you. Casually,constantly. Hand on your back, arm around your waist, fingers brushing yours. People will expect it."
"Okay."
"So we need to practice until it feels natural." He placed his hand on my lower back, and heat shot through me. "This is how I'll guide you through a room."
I couldn't breathe. His palm was warm through my cardigan, solid and possessive. "That feels... natural."
"You're rigid."
"I'm not rigid."
"You're holding your breath."
I exhaled, tried to relax. His hand stayed put, anchoring me.
"Better," he murmured. "Now you."
"Me what?"
"Touch me. However you'd touch a boyfriend."
I reached up, hesitated. This was insane. This was Callum Hayes, the man who made me want to throw hot coffee at him on a regular basis.
I touched his hair. Ran my fingers through silver-streaked strands that were softer than they looked.
He went absolutely still.
"Is that okay?" I asked.
"No." His voice roughened. "That's... good. Natural."
My fingers were still in his hair. His hand wasstill on my back. We stood there, breathing each other's air, and I understood with startling clarity that every rule we'd established might be meaningless if this was the level of chemistry that immediately kindled between us.
“Oh, um, we should establish more rules," I said, not moving. “I think…just to be on the safe side.”
“Such as?” the low timbre of his voice caused goosebumps to riot along my skin.
"No kissing unless absolutely necessary."
"Define necessary."
"If a person's watching and expecting it."
"That could be interpreted broadly."
"Then interpret it narrowly."
His hand moved, almost imperceptibly, fingers spreading against my spine. "What else?"
