Page 50 of Time To Learn

“Okay, only one more, then.”

Her smile widens as she leaves the rest of us. My attention is caught by Alex whose head follows her all the way up to thebar.

“I like your friend,” Kristian says, and I look back at him. Have his eyes become more blue? When I don’t answer, his lips twitch, and I shake my head at my own foolishness. I blink, trying to come up with something to say so he won’t be able to see how much he’s affecting me. But then he smiles…and I think I’m about to faint.

Oh, lord, the dimples are back again.

Stop, Laura.

“Um, well, yes, she is. Nice, I mean,” I mumble. Cringing at the bad case of word vomit, I look down at mylap.

“So,” Kristian starts, “have you thought any more about your tattoo? Anything you want to change?”

Relieved to find us back on solid ground, I shake myhead.

“No, I think it will be perfect. Thankyou.”

He nods and jerks his chin at my arms. “Let me see your wrists.”

I frown, nonplussed. “Why?”

“I just want to see which one is best suited for your ink. I know your appointment isn’t until Thursday, but I like to be prepared. Show me, please.”

I can’t really think with all the noise in the pub, and the buzzing in my head seems to be intensifying. But I can’t exactly refuse, either.

“Okay.” I sit forward in my seat and put my hands on the table, palms facing him. He mimics my pose, leaning closer towards me, before he looks down. He reaches for my left hand, and my body tenses up as I feel the touch of his skin on mine. As he caresses my pulse point, I have to swallow, hard, when it skips. His touch is light, gentle, but the calluses on the pads of his fingers tell me that this is a bloke who’s used to work. He doesn’t shy away from it, and that only makes him more appealing in myeyes.

I bite my lower lip as he keeps prodding my wrist, and I feel more lightheaded than I did before.

Focus, Laura. He’s not trying to seduceyou.

“Hmm,” Kristian murmurs before he turns his gaze to my right arm. I hold my breath as his fingers poke and prod, running over the faint, vertical scars, but I don’t offer an explanation. His gaze runs all the way up my arm, no doubt seeing all of them—seeing too much—until his eyes stop on mine. The look in them is no longer amused—it’s dark. And intense—oh, gosh, so intense.

I try to breathe, but it’s difficult when he keeps staring so hard at me. It feels as if he’s attempting to bend me to his will, drawing out every one of my secrets, but I remain silent. I have to. He mustn’t knowthem.

“I think your left wrist is best suited,” hesays.

I nod, relieved that he doesn’t ask me any questions.

“Probably,” I squeak. I clear my throat as he finally releases my gaze, only to take my left hand in his. “I’m really looking forward to it,” I go on, blabbering like an idiot. “I’m a bit worried about the pain, though.”

His eyes lose some of their intensity when he grins atme.

“Me, too. Looking forward to it, that is. And don’t worry about the pain—if it gets to be too much, I’ll stop.” His voice drops a notch, and my heart speeds up at the low rumble. “You have myword.”

Somehow, I believe him. If I’m not careful, I’ll start believing every single word that comes out of his mouth, and then where will Ibe?

His fingers keep running over and over my skin in circles, making my tummy erupt with butterflies.

I should move. Move, Laura!

Yet, I can’t. It’s as if the feel of him has me rooted to the spot—as long as he keeps me there, I’m at his mercy.

Okay, definitely time to stop drinking. Even my thoughts don’t make sense anymore.

Kristian leans forward, no longer smiling. His gaze flits down to my mouth, and I wet mylips.

“Tell me what you’re thinking.”