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knuckles. Then, leaning close, I pressed my lips to hers.
It was all I permitted myself. All I could control against the need clamouring to rip free. It was
gratifying to see her disappointment when I pulled away.
But then a determined little light glinted in her eyes as she glanced at the window. ‘Where exactly are we?’
Despite the nerves eating me up again, I played the tour guide for her, answering questions until we drew up in front of my apartment building. I ushered her into the lift, my hand on her waist as we
soared up to the penthouse suite I bought five years ago.
I watched her look around my apartment. Watched her take in the countless pictures documenting
every project I’d worked on. She ignored the million-dollar view, her interest sparking as she went from frame to frame. ‘These are amazing.’
A layer of nerves settled inside me. This could work. Either way I was going to give it my best
shot.
‘Thank you.’ I set her case down, and went towards her.
Another wary little look crossed her face.
‘There’s no need to fear what’s coming, Graciela. I promise you it’s all good.’
Defiance replaced wariness, her eyes snapping with irritation that did a shoddy job of covering the alarm beneath. ‘I’m not afraid. I just don’t like surprises.’ Her head tilted, fire sparking in her eyes.
‘Give me something at least, Jensen, or all we’ll be doing is making meaningless conversation while I wonder what you have in store for me.’
I smiled. I couldn’t help it. She challenged and terrified me. Brought me alive in ways that I could never have imagined a short while ago. Ways I didn’t want to have to do without. ‘How about instead of telling you, I show you?’ I offered.
Her gaze started past me, down the wide hallway that led to my bedroom. It was the only hallway
in the apartment. So I’d correctly guessed her thoughts. I laughed.
‘Hopefully the sex will come later. I need your clothes on for this one. Or we’ll risk shocking a
few people.’
‘People,’she echoed, tensing.
I reached for her hand. ‘I know we only just arrived but we need to leave again. We’re expected.’
She opened her mouth, most likely to demand I tell her. But a different light shone in her eyes. One that thrilled me far too much. It was a light of trust. It said she was willing to take this small step.
She nodded, and my hand tightened around hers. We took the lift to the underground garage. She
looked around, curious as I led her to the late-model sports car. She remained silent for the twenty-minute journey to our destination, but every now and then she’d glance at me, bite her lip, the first sign of nerves I’d ever seen on Graciela. It was endearing. But also a little sad that she’d be so afraid of the unknown. Sad that she didn’t know her strength or underestimated her worth.
I was equally nervous when I pulled up in front of the large, familiar suburban house. The past few days had been enlightening, and Graciela was about to find out how instrumental she’d been.
I took her hand and kissed the back of it.
‘I’m beginning to associate you kissing my hand with something that’ll freak me out.’
I smiled. ‘You liked something about my invitation or you wouldn’t be here.’
She shrugged. ‘It beats spending the night listening to my cousin Jasper drone on about our family