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“Yeah. I’ve never heard you swear like that.”
“I’ve probably been spending too much time with you. You’re a bad influence.”
He raises a brow. “I’m not the one who was day drinking yesterday.”
Surprisingly, I feel none of the embarrassment I’ve been feeling all day. “I was having a bad day.”
More of that amused look. “Yeah, you had reasons. I remember.” The amusement reaches his eyes fully. “You lost a favorite earring. Hell of a week.”
“Oh, god.” I laugh. “Did I tell you that?”
“You told me a lot of things.” And there’s that heat. In his eyes. Across his face. Pulsing in between his words. “I now know just how much you like a tuxedo.”
I don’t pull my eyes from his. I don’t deflect. I stay right in this with him even though the part of me that’s scared of where this will all end is doing her best to signal danger.
“You do look good in one.”
“Apparently I’m a whole-ass situation even when I’m not wearing one.”
“You’re enjoying this a little too much.”
He gives me a sexy smile and goodness if I don’t feel it low. “Guilty as charged. Though I’m not entirely sure what a whole-ass situation is.”
“I think you know exactly what it is. And if you don’t, I’m not explaining it to you.”
He chuckles and then proceeds to roll up his sleeves as he says, “So, you’re considering dating.”
I’m staring at his forearms when he throws that out. They’re a whole-ass situation all on their own. “Yes,” I answerdistractedly, then lift my gaze back to his and shake my head. “No. No, I’m not dating.”And put those arms away. Now.
“I got the distinct impression yesterday that it’s on your mind. Have you dated much since your divorce?”
“Just a few dinners here and there. Honestly, I don’t have the time for it.”
He takes a moment with that. “Right. And then there’s the emojis and the soft launching and all the expectations.”
“Did you memorize everything I said to you yesterday?”
“I think you know the answer to that.”
Good lord, Gage is the most direct man I have ever met. And where he allowed my retreat when we danced at my parents’ party, I don’t think he’s going to do that again.
“Dating feels hard. And messy. I need another year to overthink it.”
“Or maybe, you just need someone who will give you the space to figure it out in your own way. On your own terms.”
My heart starts beating faster. A little panicked at where he’s pushing this. And at not being able to exit stage left out of this conversation right now.
I’m more attracted to Gage than I’ve been to anyone. However, I wasn’t looking for a man, and just jumping into whatever this is with him? Absolutely not. I need to be more certain about it before taking that kind of risk.
“I’ve barely moved on from my marriage, Gage. I’m not rushing into another relationship. And I have Sarah to consider. I have to be very sure about whoever I choose to bring into our lives.”
The elevator intercom buzzes, interrupting us. “Mr. Black,” Tony’s voice comes through the speaker, “maintenance is in the building. They should have the elevator running in the next five minutes.”
“Thanks, Tony,” Gage says as he stands.
The line clicks off and he turns to me and extends a hand.
I slip my fingers into his, and the moment he pulls me up, I’m closer to him than I anticipated. We’re chest to chest, the air between us tight, and I’m staring into those dark eyes of his. Those absolutely lethal eyes of his.