My breath caught. The sparks were back. She was flirting with me. I could definitely play that game.
“Don’t tempt a sinner, little hummingbird,” I murmured, leaning in. “I’m not a boy. I’m a man, and I know ways to make you scream.”
“You’re drunk,” she rasped, her voice shaking.
I couldn’t deny that air had shifted and things might be progressing to a place I’d only been dreaming of.
“A little,” I admitted.
“Won’t you get into trouble for drinking on the job?”
“It’s part of the job description.” I twirled one of her curls around my finger, enjoying how soft it felt. “Besides, I’m done for the night.”
“So this is fun Klaus?” She reached out and ran her hand down my black button-down. Her fingers brushed against my chest through the open buttons I’d left.
She was doing something to me.
I let her curl go and took her hand in mine, forcing her to look at me.
“You’re playing a dangerous game,” I husked out, fighting with myself to be a good man. She’d just lost the love of her life. She was hurting. Confused. Too damn sweet for a man like me, yet…
“I’m not playing,” she replied softly, her green eyes fixed on mine.
As much as I wanted to taste her lips, I held myself back and brushed my lips across her knuckles instead.
“Do you believe in fate?” she asked.
“I believe we control it. That we create it,” I answered, keeping her hand in mine. I rubbed my thumb in gentle circles on her hand as I stared into her pretty eyes, completely lost and mesmerized. It was unlike me to react this way to anyone. Even my own wife, I’d never been this way with. It terrified me, but I couldn’t be bothered to focus on it. She was my focus.
“Do you believe I’m supposed to be here with you right now?”
“I believe whatever you choose is fate. Do you want to be here with me right now?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“Then fate is doing its job, no?” My heart picked up at her answer.
She nodded, her lips parted.
“Do you believe in magic?” I asked, deciding to go for it.
“I think so.” She nodded.
I released her hand with a smile before I ran my knuckles along her jaw again. I loved touching her soft skin and watching her tremble for me. I let my hand slide to her hair, where I raked my fingers through her soft curls, fascinated by how they felt.
She closed her eyes for me, allowing me to take a rose from behind her head in a vase that was on the shelf.
She opened her eyes as I held the rose out to her. It wasn’t magic, just good timing, but I could perform magic if she wanted it.
“How?” Her eyes widened as she stared at me.
“Magic.” I smiled.
She took the flower from me and inhaled deeply.
“I love roses,” she said, giving me a bashful smile.
“I assumed.” I smiled back, my heart still thrumming along excitedly.
