His fingertips brushed her back as he worked the laces, and the nearness of him became a slow, exquisite ache. A shiver travelled beneath her skin, reaching places she had thought long beyond his touch. For a moment, something almost human warmed the heart she had kept ββ
To him, she wasnβt someone to gawk at as though heβd never seen a woman before. He would never treat someone he cared about like an object; that simply wasnβt in his DNA.
Caleb watched her move before reaching for his bottle, only to groan at the thought of taking another sip.-
traced her mouth.
β So . . . β She pressed her lips together, studying the result before setting the lipstick down.
β Are you taking me dancing, or should I leave you alone with that bottle? β She turned to face him, fastening the second earring. A small, challenging ββ
She followed his movements from the corner of her eye. Her skin prickled as he drew closer, his scent mingling with the sharp, oaky warmth of bourbon.
The involuntary response only sharpened her irritation.
She had little patience for being told what to do. Too much ββ
He had to pretend he wasnβt jealous. Pretend he didnβt feel even the slightest bit of resentment toward the woman standing before him, casually telling him about someone else whoβd managed to earn a piece of her time. Who was this guy, anyway? -
taking her time settling the fabric into place.
β That depends on how well he dances. β There was a low, taunting amusement in her husky voice. She returned to Caleb and turned, sweeping her curls over one shoulder to expose the loose ties at her back. Glancing at ββ