Fire In His Eyes (Secrets & Seduction #1)(48)

“You too,” I uttered into his shirt. He smelled so good, and I couldn’t help but inhale.

Then while still holding me, “You’re skin and bones, what the hell,” he said in shock as he let me go, bent slightly at the waist, and reached out to put his hands around my waist as if to measure me. I pulled back quickly stepping into my still open car door.

He straightened, and shook his head in apology, “Sorry, I . . . uh . . . shouldn’t have done that, umm, let’s go inside.” He indicated the front of the store. I moved out of the way of my door, shut it and began to walk. He walked beside me to the entrance and held the door open for me.

“You look good, though,” I murmured rather lamely.

Once inside, the bright sunshine from outside left us a little blinded with the muted lighting and décor of the bookstore. He peered around and indicated the coffee shop in the back.

“Oh, there it is,” he said as he pointed to the small tables and chairs set up in the rear of the store for customers to peruse titles before making a purchase. Butterflies flapped in my stomach. His touch earlier had made me feel faint, and the scent from his skin brought so many memories rushing back.

I needed a moment to regain my equilibrium. And to catch my breath, clear my head. “You go,” I said and he gave me a puzzled look. “Order me a coffee. You know how I like it, right? I want to get those manuals so I don’t forget, okay?”

“Yes, I remember how you like it,” he muttered. “Go on. Get your books.” He had sounded so disappointed like he knew I was evading him for a few more moments.

I took as much time as I dared. I bought twelve study guides, one for each student. These would make a great barrier on the table. No accidental hand touches, no reaching across the table. I paid for the books, brought the bag with me and headed to the coffee shop; I spotted him right away as he waved me over. When he saw my load, he quickly got up, and pulled over an extra chair, so I could put my purchases on it. So much for protection, I thought grimly. He took the bag out of my hand, oops accidental touch, and electricity to boot. The butterflies were back. I let go quickly, trying to not let on to what I felt.

“Huff, that was heavy. Thank you,” I slunk into my chair trying to act nonchalant.

“I can take them to the car for you,” he made to get up just as he was sitting down.

“No, no that is not necessary,” I ushered him back into his chair. He sat back down slowly. I was a bit relieved to see he looked just as nervous as I was.

He repositioned his chair moving it a bit closer so that we weren’t sitting directly across from each other at the small café table. “Okay, but I will take them out for you when you are ready to leave. Is that all right?” he asked.

“Sure, that would be nice.” It was easier to agree to let him take the books out for me then the thought of him watching me lug them out, walking like I was drunk or lopsided because of the weight of the books. Or worse yet, have my pants fall down around my ankles because they were incredibly loose, with him watching.

He smiled then giving me a sympathetic look. “So, I got you your coffee. Two Splendas, and low-fat milk,” he paused and then added, “I, er . . . I also got you a muffin. Hope you don’t mind.” His look was one of concern.

“Well, I did eat, but I can pick at it. Thank you.” I didn’t want to insult him. He was obviously concerned about the weight loss and like my sister wanted to force me to eat more.

“Okay, and you’re welcome.” There was a long awkwardness between us. It had been four months since we had seen each other, well maybe a little less for him, and we just didn’t know what to say to one another now that we were here. We both just looked at each other, and smiled. Victor eventually broke the silence after clearing his throat, “So I am glad you came.” Pause. “This is so awkward, isn’t it,” he laughed. “Let’s just call the elephant in the room what it is.”

I laughed, too. A real laugh. It broke the proverbial ice, so to speak.



An hour later, I had eaten the entire muffin, had finished my coffee, and he was getting me another one. He talked for a while first. Telling me stories about work, the new recruits and the stupid things they did. He talked about his daughter telling me about her cheerleading camp, and the music she listened to in the car that drove him nuts. He didn’t know their names, couldn’t understand the lyrics. His pride and love for his daughter was evident in every word he spoke. I listened avidly wanting to know what his daughter was like. She was a part of him after all. He had never been so open with me before.

When it was my turn, I told him about work, of course. And, my AP class that I absolutely loved. I talked about my sister and Teddy. She had brought him by for a quick visit one week ago, and then brought him to meet my mom. I had nearly died laughing I told him when she left my house, Teddy in toe, mumbling, okay let’s go bring you to meet my mother, the dragon lady, and get this over with. My mom was the sweetest, funniest woman you would ever want to meet. She had obviously given Teddy a lot of drivel to scare the poor guy because he turned before he left and the look on his face was frightful. Victor laughed with me and at my description.

“Your mom sounds cool, Monica. Easy going,” he sighed.

“She is. You would have liked her,” I stated and then realized how stupid I was to have said that. He might have taken it as a jab. I saw the look on his face and knew he had taken it wrong. “Sorry,” I mumbled. “That was stupid, just something to say.”