Page 11 of Falling in Between

The hairs on my arm now stand on end. I open my mouth to speak, but I’m at aloss.

“I was right, I see.” He takes a drink, his eyes crinkling at the corners from a hiddensmile.

Sexual prowess orbits him like some seductive, gravitational pull. One that threatens to draw in unsuspecting women with a mere twitch of his perfectlips.

I straighten in my chair. “And what’s your favoritecolor?”

“Oh, my secrets are best kept hidden, Demi.” He leans back with narrowed eyes. “But for some reason, I believe you think you have most of them figured outalready.”

I reach for him and pinch the soft fabric of his suit, rubbing it between my fingers. “Is your suit Versace? RalphLauren?”

“Nice guess. But no.Gucci.”

“Ah, even better.” I glance at the floor at his well-shined shoes. “You’re well put together, Elijah. Almost like a devil indisguise.”

“I assure you…” He takes another sip. “I’m nodevil.”

“I’d bet black is your favorite color. You seem like the type of man who loves power anddominance.”

He leans toward me. “You’re veryintuitive.”

“And you’re veryintimidating.”

His expression softens. “You’re different than most of the women I deal with, and it could prove to be very dangerous for me.” He brushes a feather-light affection over my knuckles. “But, I want what I want, when I want it…” he whispers, his gaze pinning me to myseat.

My heart flutters, my stomach kinks, and I swallow. His fingertips sweep up my arm, then my shoulder, and finally my neck. I find myself leaning into histouch.

“Why do I make you nervous?” His knee grazes mine under the table, his palm now cupping mycheek.

I manage to sound unfazed, even though I’m about to climb the walls. “A little full of ourselves, aren’twe?”

“Your cheeks flushed the second my finger started up your arm. Right now, those perfect breasts of yours are rising in ragged swells. Accelerated respiration. Increased blood flow. Either you’re nervous, or you’re turned on.” He smirks. “I’d put money onboth.”

What abastard…

His phone buzzes. He drops his hand to his lap, fishing his cell from his jacket. His lips flatten on an exhale, and he quickly types out a text. “I hate to cut this short, but I’m afraid it’s unavoidable. I’ve had a meeting moveup.”

“It’sfine.”

“Let me take you to dinnersometime?”

“Sure.”

He laughs. “It almost sounds like you can’t be bothered withme.”

“I didn’t mean…you know what?” I sigh. “Forget it. I’m just socially awkward Ithink.”

“Well, I find it charming.” He pushes up from his seat. “I’ll textyou.”

I smile in response, watching through the window as he stepsoutside.

I sit in the little shop alone and finish my coffee, unable to shake him from mythoughts.

Maybe there are some men you can have a casual fling with. Elijah—whatever his last name is—is not one of them. And I know it, because I already can’t forgethim.