Page 62 of Sweet Heart

Mary

The strap of my summer dress twists around my finger as I gaze at myself in the mirror. I don’t wear it often, but it just seemed so fitting for today. The light green matches the spring theme in Devina’s latest book, and the dress is perfect for the restaurant. Nothing too formal, but not overly casual either. Looking nice without the effort. Except it took me four outfit swaps and about two thousand steps in pacing before I settled on it. And even now, I’m not sure.

My eye falls on the ivory silk top I tried on before this, and my fingers itch to grab it. But before I can change into yet another outfit, I hear a soft knock on the door. My heart leaps into my throat, and I nearly jump out of my skin. Fuck, I haven’t even put on makeup yet. I quickly glance at the mirror one last time before rushing toward the door.

“Coming.”

I am already full-on smiling when I swing it open, but as soon as I see Cat’s umber eyes, my smile grows even wider. She looks absolutely stunning in black slacks that end mid-calf, high heels, and a black blazer with a low-dipping V. My eyes instantly trail down her chest, and I feel the warmth creeping up my neck.

When Cat lets out a soft cough, my gaze snaps up toward hers instantly. The blush spreads to my cheeks, and my eyes widen in shock at her catching me ogling her. I am just about to apologize when she steps closer, with her eyes still trained on me. Her jaw is set, but when her fingers find my jaw, I know she is feeling anything but cold. I instinctively lean into the touch and hum softly as she guides my face closer toward hers. Her lips are soft and warm, and they brush mine far too quickly. She has already pulled back before I can even respond.

“Hi.” She smiles, her breath ghosting my lips.

“Mmhi.”

I can barely manage the reply, and Cat lets out a soft laugh at it. Her thumb traces over my cheekbone, and she presses her forehead against mine briefly before stepping back altogether. The sudden loss of her warmth confuses me, and I look up at her in question. The answer is already there, in the way she gazes at me. The heat pulsates behind those dark eyes, her lips slightly parted, and her breathing a little faster than usual. Something in me unclenches, and I find myself swiveling nervously.

“Do you… would you…” I let out a huffed laugh and close my eyes, shaking my head at my nerves. “Do you want to come in?”

Cat’s gaze drops down to where a delicate watch sits on her thin wrist. She frowns, and her eyes flick from left to right and back as if she is debating herself.

“We only have a few more minutes.”

Her voice is strained, and she looks at me so seriously that I go quiet for a beat. I can feel it, the battle within her. Part of her wants to give in and step into the safety of my apartment, but another part of her doesn’t like it if her schedule is interrupted. I wouldn’t like her to feel nervous.

“Absolutely true. Let me grab my purse, and then we can go.”

She nods, and I can see her visibly relax. I smile, stand on my tiptoes to press a kiss against her lips, and then turn around to grab my stuff from the hallway table. When I am about to close the door behind me, Cat raises one eyebrow, which makes me stop dead in my tracks.

“Maria…”

Her voice is a low rumble, and I feel the hairs on my arm stand up as she very deliberately drops her gaze down my body. My teeth wrap around my lip as I feel a warm sensation in my body. When Cat’s eyes flick up to mine again, there isn’t just a flicker of amusement in them, but something more. Deeper. Endearment.

“Shoes too, please.”

My brain short-circuits for a moment, and I look down, stunned, only to see my bare feet. Walking barefoot comes so naturally to me that I didn’t even notice.

“Oh,” I whisper, and Cat huffs softly, but when I turn to move inside, she grabs my wrist and pulls me tightly against her.

“Oh,” she echoes, and lets her thumb trace the outline of my lips.

And just like that, she steps away again, a soft smirk playing around her lips. Is she fucking teasing me? She raises her eyebrow again, and nods toward my apartment.

“Go on, then.”

And on I go.

***

My eyes grow large when we walk toward the bookstore. There is a line of buzzing readers that curves all the way around the corner of the block. I swallow hard, before I shyly gaze up at Cat, who is taking it all in. Her face is as calm as always when she walks us toward the front of the line. I start to stutter a protest, but her eyes flick to me, and she gives me a wink. Her grip on my waist tightens slightly, as she tucks me closer against her, and she walks up to the tall, broad man guarding the door.

“John, good afternoon.”

“Doctor Durand.” He says friendly, his voice surprisingly high for his heavy frame.

“How is Melissa?”

“Just wonderful. She would love it if you came by for dinner sometime.” His eyes flick to me, and his smile widens. “You are welcome to bring a guest,” he chirps as he looks back at Cat.