Page 17 of Hold Me Tight

It should be Beau who flusters me. By every logical standard, he checks all the boxes. The man is handsome, successful, and if I can trust my instincts, interested in more than a business partnership.

Instead, it’s River who makes my pulse race and tangles me up inside.

Beau grins, mischief flickering in his whiskey-colored eyes. “Looks like we’re all set. I’ll pick you up tomorrow at six.”

My lips part to say… I’m not even sure what, when River leans in, his warm breath ghosting over the shell of my ear. “Wouldn’t an afternoon meeting be more appropriate for a business discussion?”

“Nope.” Beau’s grin grows. “We’re planning on mixing business with pleasure.”

A low growl rumbles up from River. The deep reverberation of it sends a shiver through me even as heat curls low in my belly.

When neither man speaks, I say, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Beau heads to the exit, tossing one last parting shot over his shoulder. “I look forward to spending more time with you, Callie. It’ll be fun.”

The door clicks shut behind Beau, leaving me with River. The air shifts, thickening with tension that sparks hotter now that it’s just the two of us.

My hands twist in front of me, a feeble attempt to ground myself before I swing toward him and blurt, “I don’t understand why you did that.”

8

River

The good news is that Callie doesn’t sound mad by my unexpected offer. More like thrown off.

As if she can’t quite figure me out.

And that’s okay.

For the time being.

“I think we can both agree that it’s a great opportunity,” I say honestly. “Even if I don’t like the idea of you spending time alone with Beau Masterson.”

She blinks, clearly not expecting that response.

“I’m thinking about what’s best for you,” I add. “Not me.”

Confusion flickers in her expression for half of a second before it’s masked again. “I can check with my parents. I’m sure they’ll watch Nora.”

“That’s not necessary,” I insist. “I’ve got you covered.”

She swallows before glancing toward the front of the bakery, as if needing a moment to collect herself, before her narrowed gaze slices back to mine.

“And you’re really okay watching her?”

“Of course. Believe it or not, I’ve spent time around kids.”

Her expression turns even more skeptical. “You’ve actually held a toddler?”

A grin tugs at the corners of my mouth. “Yup. My twin, Willow, has two. A three-year-old and a one-year-old who screams like he’s auditioning for Broadway.”

Her eyebrows lift. “You have a twin?”

“Yup.” Unable to help myself, I swallow up the little bit of distance that separates us. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Callie.”

Even though she stands her ground, I catch the flash in her eyes and the pulse that flutters faster against the delicate flesh of her throat as she realizes just how close we are. Heat flares to life between us as the scent of her floral shampoo mixes with my cologne.

She has no idea how much I want to get my hands on her.