Page 14 of The Heiress Bride
He steps even closer, and my body comes alive at his nearness. Why am I so connected to him? It’s like he breathes, I breathe. He blinks, I blink.
I lean back against the table, hands dropping to close over the edge. I fully expect him to mirror my movement. And even though he doesn’t actually close the distance, doesn’t brace his hands against the polished tabletop, he does lean in a little closer. Staring down at me with those ocean blue eyes, so full of emotions.
The longing inside me feels like a drug.
The ultimate high.
“I messed up, and I’m sorry.”
Good grief. Does he have to give me that sheepish puppy dog look while he delivers that? I’m a total sucker for it, apparently.
But I can’t be. I just… can’t.
“Apology accepted,” I say as coolly as possible. “If that’s all?—”
“That’s not all. I’ve messed up multiple times, and I have a lot of apologizing to do?—”
“You’ve apologized. I’ve accepted. We’re good.”
The muscle flexes in his jaw again, and heavens help me, that shouldn’t be so dang sexy. I shouldn’t feel the least bit of desire at all. He literally kicked me out of his townhouse. How much empathy can I offer and remain whole?
He drops his gaze and shakes his head. When he looks up at me from beneath those dark lashes, my stomach clenches tight.
“I knew you were going to ruin me. I just thought it would mean completing your grandfather’s work.”
Ice pick meet heart. I suck in a sharp breath and look away. I just can’t stare into those eyes and not drown.
“I’m saying this all wrong,” he says, sighing. “Earlier, what you heard me say about the B-rated movie. I spoke poorly and should have clarified.We’renot the B-rated movie.” He waves a finger between us. Gosh, I love his hands. The blunt tips of his fingers, even the shape of his nails.
Focus, Katherine.
“The plot with your mother… that’s what I meant. You’re…” His voice fades, and I can’t help myself. I have to look at him. “Amazing.”
His gaze drops to my lips, and my body screams ‘yes!’ My heart lifts, and my lungs suck in a hopeful breath. But I force every inch of me to take a chill pill.
“You told me to get out, Gabriel. Now you… what? Want me back? Make up your mind.”
I’m not going to make this easy for him. Because it’s exactly my tendency to do that. Smooth the way. Make excuses. And maybe a week ago, I would have. The dazzle and lust had been strong enough to make me lose my head.
But things are different now.
He’s held himself aloof for so long.
“I do. I was an idiot,” he utters, sounding contrite. “We both know that. But… I want a chance.”
I huff a laugh so I won’t cry. ’Cause really, I feel like crying again. You’d think I’d be cried out by now, but I’m not.
I lick my lips. “You just said I ruined you.”
There’s a split second of silence where the tension thickens between us. Around us. Like a warm blanket coiling tighter, drawing us together. My heartbeat accelerates. I shouldn’t want to pepper a kiss at the corner of his mouth, soak in the scent of him, feel the softness of his dress shirt beneath my fingertips.
But I do.
Get it together,Katherine.
“In the best possible ways.”
I shake my head and press my fingers against the ache between my eyes. “I’m so confused.”
