“Absolutely not.”
She smiles—soft, infuriating, too kind for someone who wears temptation like a second skin.
“Fine, I’ll make coffee today,” she says, turning toward her door.“You know ...to balance your chakras.”
“My chakras are fine.”
She raises a brow.“Are they?”
I narrow my eyes.“Are you always like this?”
“Like what?”
“...intrusive.”
“I’d call it caring.”
“I wouldn’t.”
Her grin widens—a sunbeam with teeth.Fuck.I hate that I notice how her lips curve.How her eyes crinkle.How my body reacts like she’s said something filthy instead of something sweet.
“Want some anyway?”
I should say no.
I need to say no.
But my body betrays me before my mouth can catch up.
“...maybe.”
She blinks.
I blink.
Great.Stellar communication skills, Alec.Top tier.Really nailing the whole “stay away” thing.
She tilts her head toward her sliding door.“Come on.I’ll open up.You can have something warm and soothing with your coffee.”
You.I want you.You’re warm, soothing, and ...stop it, Alec.
“You shouldn’t be inviting me into your home,” I say, trying for warning, but it comes out low—closer to a growl than anything polite.
Her gaze softens, just a touch.There’s something almost sad flickering beneath it, something like understanding.“Then it’s a good thing I don’t scare easily.”
She turns, walks inside.Just like that.
And now I’m the one unsteady on my feet, painfully hard, jaw clenched, pulse racing—and all I’ve done is talk to her.
If I go inside, I’ll do something stupid and might need to move to another county.
If I stay out here, I’ll lose my goddamn mind.
ChapterFourteen
Alec
I should turn around.
