I chanced another look toward the window but couldn’t distinguish more. “Whoever it is, we have to assume that if they’re nosy enough to spy, they’re nosy enough to gossip. Which means you can’t just stand there like a brick, or they’re going to think you’re not into this.”
“I’mnotinto this,” she muttered, inching closer. “Nobody’s into this. Not even God is into this.”
I shook my head and slid my hands to her waist, squeezing a little harder this time. Her humor wouldn’t soften me to her.
Stella grimaced, blew out a breath, and then reluctantly put her hands on my chest.
“You look like you’re holding me at bay,” I said. “Come on. It won’t kill you to wrap your arms around me.”
Looking like it mightactuallykill her, Stella slid her hands around my neck.
“We’re going to have to work on your acting abilities,” I said. “No one’s going to believe you’re obsessed with me if you keep this up.”
“You’re forgetting that these people actually know me. They expect me to be a bitch. Me suddenly fawning all over some random man would immediately raise their suspicions.”
I tightened my thighs on either side of her, trying to ignore how good she felt there. “You sure you’re not just saying that because you’re worried if you pretend to be obsessed with me, you’ll realize you actually are?”
“I’m not obsessed with you,” she said, her tone almost lifeless it was so flat, but I could tell from the way her sides heaved that she was struggling to keep a lid on her temper.
“Whatever you say, Sunshine.”
She spluttered. “Donotcall me that.”
I smirked as a dark thrill of triumph shot through me. I felt like a wolf spotting an injured deer. “I’ll call you whatever I want.”
She opened her mouth, but another warning squeeze had her clenching it shut. Maybe shecouldbe taught.
I caught a shift of movement from the window and tugged her the last inch forward, until we were fully pressed together. From there it was easy to lean down and bury my face in her neck. Damn it, she smelled incredible. Like that nostalgic blend of banana-scented sunscreen and sunshine that always reminded me of summer. Suddenly, the pet name felt like it fit.
Her skin was soft beneath my lips, and warm from the heat of the day. The dress had a sweetheart neckline, leaving her shoulders and clavicles on display, and I was tempted to drag my mouth over every exposed inch of her.
You hate this woman,I reminded myself.
Yes. I did. She and her kind were a plague upon this planet. My reaction was nothing but a physiological response to being close to another human being. I would have felt the same way with literally anyone else.
“How long do we need to keep this up?” she asked.
“As long as it takes for you to lose the attitude,” I shot back, rubbing my nose along the column of her neck.
She sighed. “We’re going to die here.”
I was glad she couldn’t see my answering smile. She might take it to mean that my threats were empty and I’d go easy on her. That I wouldn’t set her entire life on fire if she spoiled my plans.
Another stolen glance at the window revealed that our voyeur was gone, but feeling Stella’s impatience to get out of my arms made me want to keep her there for a little while longer.
“Tell me who’s at the party, Sunshine,” I murmured into her skin.
“New rule,” she countered. “No pet names.”
“Too late for that.”
“Then that means I get to choose yours.”
“No, it doesn’t,” I said, nipping at her delicate skin in an idle threat.
A shudder wracked her body. “So, you just get to make all the rules, and I have to go along with them?” Her voice was low, breathy, and it made me think I might not be the only one affected by our proximity.
“Mmhmm,” I murmured, tracing the shell of her ear with my lips.
