She rolled her eyes but followed him into the poolroom, which was as empty as the restaurant. She’d never seen this playful, cocky side of him. She didn’t even mind as she sensed he only wanted to cheer her up.
She grabbed a random pool cue from the rack on the wall.
“Hang on now,” he said. “Let’s make sure it’s not warped. Roll it across the table like this. It should roll nice and smooth.”
Charlotte did so with her cue and ended up putting it back. The second one was better.
He winked as he racked up the balls. “Wouldn’t want an unfair advantage.”
“That would just be wrong.”
“Would you rather I broke?”
“I’ll give it a try.” Once he removed the triangle she bent over the table, braced her hand on the green felt, and blinked up at him innocently. “Like this?”
“Wait a minute.” Gunner moved toward her, then got close. “Move this hand forward. Spread your fingers like this. That’s it. Now take the cue and hold it—yeah, like that. Now, what you want is a nice, steady glide, like this.” He edged up behind her, leading her through the motion. “Aim for the center ball. You’ll have to give it a nice, confident whack if you want a good break.”
Charlotte hardly followed a word he said. She was too distracted by the heat against her back, the feel of his hand over hers, and the tickle of his breath at her temple. The sensations crowded out every rational thought. A scent she’d come to associate with him—just a hint of leather and spice—wove around her like a spell, making her dizzy. She turned her head to breathe him in again.
And there he was. So close. His breath stirred the hair at her temple, and his gaze locked on hers as they froze.
One heartbeat.
Two.
Amber flecks glinted in his green eyes. Mesmerizing. How had she not noticed them before? Or that little bump on the left side of his nose? Or the way his shadow of a mustache followed the ridge of his upper lip so precisely?
And then she was leaning closer to those lovely lips. Closer tothat tempting scent. Her eyes fell closed. Their breath mingled, warm and sultry. She could almost taste him.
A rush of cold air made her eyes snap open.
He cleared his throat.
Charlotte leaned over her pool cue like that’s what she’d meant to do all along. Because yes. She was breaking the balls. Of course.
Not trying to kissher employee.She squeezed her eyes shut.
Then she sucked in a breath and blew it out. Leveled up the stick, brought her arm back, and swung it forward with plenty of force. Despite her distraction the cue ball struck its target. Balls scattered in all directions, and two stripes sank into the corner and side pockets.
***
Gunner absently rubbed his stomach. What was he doing? He’d been a breath away fromkissing his boss. She’d been so tempting, those heavy-lidded eyes taking him in like that. Staring at his mouth, for crying out loud. He knew a green light when he saw one.
And he’d wanted to take her up on it. Nearly had. By sheer luck he’d remembered just in the nick of time exactly who he was about to kiss. Every nerve cell in his body suffered a massive letdown.
So close. Yet so far. He must be getting lonely. It happened from time to time. But usually the acquaintances he made along the way scratched that itch. But since arriving in Riverbend, he hadn’t met any interesting women. Other than Charlotte, that was.
Speaking of Charlotte . . . She was carrying on as if nothing had happened, and the silence had grown awkward. He definitely should say . . . something.
He stepped toward the table. “Hey, listen. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. You’re my boss—that’s never a good idea.”
She assessed the table. “You’re absolutely right.”
“Besides that, you’ve had a rough night and I shouldn’t have—”
“Excuse me.”
He backed away as Charlotte took his spot, leaned over the rail.
