Page 11 of Her Captivated Hero

“I’m just trying to get over the fact you called me nice,” he admitted. “I’m trying to determine if I like it or not.”

“I meant it in a good way, if it matters.”

She was adorable. Then she bit her lip. Next thing she’d be reaching for a coaster. “I know you meant it in a nice way.” Gray gave her his best smile.

“Whoa, your smile sure does pack a punch.” She put her elbow on the table and rested her chin on her hand. “If you don’t like being called a nice guy, how should I describe you?”

“Let’s not pigeonhole one another. I say we take some time to get to know each another.”

“How much time?”

It was fun seeing her back to flirting. “Well we’re almost done with this bottle of water, want to go for another?” Gray asked.

She sat up straight and shook her head. “I’ll end up floating out of here if I have any more. What else do you have?”

Oh yeah, the sparkle in those black eyes had him thinking all kinds of naughty things. “I can think of something. How about if we discuss my ideas as I get you back to your friends?”

“Sure, we can head back,” she said as she quickly hid her disappointment behind a bright smile. It reassured him that his next step was the right one.

Riya slid off the high stool. “I’ve probably been gone long enough. You want to lead the way?” she asked. She waved her arm to indicate he step ahead of her.

“I was hoping you’d let me lead.” Gray trailed his fingers from the inside of her elbow down to the tips of her fingers, watching her shudder. “Let’s not hurry,” he said as he sidestepped her outstretched hand and pushed into her personal space. He bent toward her so they were almost nose to nose. She looked down at the floor. Her sudden shyness intrigued him.

“Lead where?”

“First there was dancing, then there was conversation, I have an idea for the next step in our getting to know one another sequence.”

Her eyes widened beneath her thick lashes. “I do a lot of sequencing in my job. In fact, I really enjoy it. Will this be as fun as dealing with next-generation sequencers?”

Gray barked out a laugh. “I’ll give it my best shot.”

He traced his knuckles from the top of her cheek, down the silky trail to her jaw, then he moved his thumb so that it tested the tantalizing plump softness of her lower lip.

Riya looked up, watched him intently. Then he moved his palm so he could cup her jaw. She was so delicate. His little finger caressed the shell of her ear and she let out the smallest cry of need as her eyelids fluttered shut. Riya swayed against him and he felt the stiff rasp of her nipples between their clothes.

God, she was killing him, and he hadn’t even tasted her.

“Gray?” She whispered his name and it was flavored with lime and another essence that he couldn’t define, but he needed to explore.

“I’m here,” he assured her. Then he touched his lips to hers.

For some reason he couldn’t fathom, Riya was tentative. All of the sass and confidence that she’d exhibited on the dance floor had deserted her, but Riya’s innate sultry heat shone through. Her arms crept up his chest and then higher. Gray shuddered as her warm hands crafted magic against his skin. He felt like he had slipped into a dark night where only the two of them existed.

His eyes opened as she whimpered.

He curled his arms around her and walked her backwards so that she was ensconced in a dark corner, hiding her behind his big body.

She’d caught fire. He traced his tongue along the seam of Riya’s plush lips, and she welcomed him inside. Heat exploded and he tasted the flavor of her passion.

Arousal hit Gray low and hard. It took everything he had not to lift her up and wind her legs around his hips. Where was his calm? Where was his composure?

Shot to shit, that’s where.

He squeezed his eyes shut, fighting for a semblance of control. When his head stopped spinning, Gray stroked a soothing hand down the side of Riya’s trembling body. It took long moments for her to come back to herself. Thank the good Lord he wasn’t the only one in a state of extreme need.

“Uhmm,” she murmured as she rested her head against his chest. “Sequence?” she finally croaked out.

Gray smoothed his hand down her long, silky black hair. “That got out of hand. I’m sorry.”