Dare to Submit (Dare to Love #4)(18)
Author: Carly Phillips

She picked up the chocolate croissant she’d ordered and took a bite, closing her eyes and groaning as she began to chew. “God, this is delicious.”

He grinned. “You’re cute.” He reached out and wiped a smudge of chocolate off her lower lip.

Her lashes fluttered and her eyes darkened at his touch. Then her tongue darted out, and she licked his finger with the tip.

Sparks flew directly to his groin. “You’re playing with fire, you know. We’re in public. And you have more issues with public displays than I do.”

She cleared her throat. “I was just acting on impulse.” She raised her shoulder in a tiny shrug.

He groaned and shifted in his seat, his jeans now uncomfortably tight. “I like when you’re impulsive.” He paused, then added, “I like you.”

A pink flush stained her cheeks and she looked away.

Okay, so she wasn’t ready. A hard pang hit him in the chest. He’d just have to lead her there. He had no doubt he could do it. Their chemistry and interaction was special.

“So tell me about your life in Washington,” he said, changing the subject.

She relaxed, her shoulders easing down as she leaned in, chin propped on her hand. And she proceeded to regale him with stories about living in Washington, D.C., and about her friends at home, in particular, her best friend with whom she worked.

Decklan was grateful to finally be let in and listened intently.

“I’m his personal assistant, girl Friday, whatever you want to call it. When he gets lost in computer code, someone has to make sure he lifts his head long enough to eat, take a break, or even leave for the night.” She shook her head and smiled fondly. “He’s always been like the absentminded professor.”

Decklan’s gut tightened at the warmth in her voice. “He’s just your boss?” He needed to hear her reassure him.

She raised her gaze, obviously startled by his question. “We go way back, actually. We met in college.”

“And he’s never made a play?” Because a guy would have to be dead not to look at Amanda and want her.

She burst out laughing, then sobered when she obviously realized he wasn’t joining in.

She wrinkled her nose at him, her perceptive gaze narrowing. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think your jealous streak was showing.”

“What makes you think it isn’t?” he asked, suddenly feeling extremely possessive where she was concerned.

Her eyes opened wide. “You can’t—We can’t—”

“We can.” He couldn’t hold back. Refused to. “This”—he gestured between them—“doesn’t happen every day. Believe me, I know.” He’d never felt a connection with a woman before in his life, never mind the intensity of the feelings she’d brought out in him in such a short time.

He wasn’t about to let her slip through his fingers because she was afraid. If he could fight his fears, she could damn well do the same. And he’d be there to help her.

She picked up her coffee and took a sip, her hands shaking badly.

“It might have happened fast, but can you tell me you don’t feel the same way?” he asked, knowing he was pushing, probably too hard, but he didn’t care.

She slammed the ceramic cup down, and it wobbled in the saucer. “I can’t. It’s complicated and I really need to go.” She scrambled for her small purse and rose, heading for the door.

“Dammit.” He tossed money on the table and rushed out after her.

He caught up with her at the corner just as she’d pulled out her cell phone and had begun to dial.

He grabbed her arm. “What’s going on?”

She spun to face him, eyes wide and panicked. “This was supposed to be easy and fun. No strings. Now I’m meeting family and you’re talking about more than a good time.”

“Things changed,” he bit out, letting his frustration get the better of him. “Unless I’m mistaken?”

While waiting for her answer, he fought the fear of loss that normally held him captive. One part of him argued that he’d opened his soul to her and she was rejecting him, leaving him alone, and the cold freeze he usually lived in tried to wrap itself around his heart.

Her shoulders slumped and she shook her head. “No, you’re not mistaken,” she whispered. “I feel the same way. I just… I need to think. I need time.”

He released the breath he’d been unaware of holding. He didn’t ask how much time. He’d give her some leeway, as difficult as it would be. Especially since their time apart really was apart, as in two different cities. But he intended to find out what had her freaked. And find a way around any problem.

TEN

The following week, Decklan worked long shifts, hoping to lose himself in other people’s arrests and issues instead of his own. Now, on his Thursday off, he met his brother at Gabe’s favorite gym. Normally a game of hoops would knock the tension off his shoulders. Not today.

Not since Amanda had left for D.C. and silence had followed. Though he’d made sure to get her phone number, he wasn’t sure of the reception he’d get should he call. And he didn’t know what to do in order to change her mind and convince her to give a real relationship a try.

He wiped the sweat from his forehead with a towel and tossed it onto the bench by his locker, then fought with his key card and the combination lock. It took three freaking tries to get into his locker.

His thoughts were consumed with a woman, something he wasn’t used to. He missed her. Another foreign feeling. Her scent lingered in his sheets, and he looked forward to bed more than was normal. He just didn’t know whether to push hard or give her the space she’d said she needed. He’d even considered a surprise visit, but he didn’t have her address. Again, he could find it, no problem, but she might consider the invasion of privacy a deal breaker. He didn’t want to give her another reason to run. Not that he knew what really had her scared in the first place.

“You planning on PMSing for the rest of the night?” Gabe flicked him with the end of his towel like he used to do when they were kids.

“Shut up.” Decklan wasn’t in the mood for Gabe’s shit. Which meant maybe he was acting like a girl. Fuck.

“Does your mood have something to do with Amanda?” Gabe asked, leaning one foot on the bench between the lockers. “Iz liked her. I’m reserving judgment because I don’t know her well enough yet. But considering my wife asked Amanda to go shopping next time she’s in town, I’m assuming that will change.”