Page 62 of Igniting Sparks

And while my libido is disappointed, my heart is full.

Honestly, I’m not sure what I’d do if Braden made a pass at me. I tried once—awkwardly, disastrously—and he shut it down so fast I wanted to melt through the floor.

So yeah, part of me wants him to try again.

The other part? Terrified he actually will.

He’s joked about his many talents, but he hasn’t touched me below the waist. Hell, he hasn’t touched meabovethe waist either, and I’m not sure if he’s being a gentleman and taking it slow, or if he just doesn’t want to traverse those waters.

I’m sure as hell not asking—no matter how much alcohol I imbibe this time.

Instead, I opt to enjoy the moment and not look beyond tomorrow. Sometimes, it doesn’t pay to know what the future holds.

Plus, I owe him. Big. He got me away from Leo, and I need some space to process my ex’s sudden reappearance.

“So, this is what romance feels like,” I murmur, plopping down on the edge of the dock, my feet dangling in the cool water.

“Pretty much,” Braden replies, handing me a glass of wine and a plate of Italian pastries. “You seem surprised.”

I sip the sweet red wine, letting the taste linger on my tongue. “I am. Romance was never high on my list of priorities.”

Braden quirks his lips, shaking his head slowly. “How is that possible? You’re fucking stunning. Men fall all over themselves watching you. Trust me, I notice.”

“Men did that here?”

“Yes, but it also happens daily at work.”

I drag my tongue across my lower lip, surprised by Braden’s admission. “Didn’t realize you were paying attention. Or caring about it, either way.”

Braden shrugs, averting his gaze to the far bank. “Now you know.”

A nervous laugh bubbles up in my throat.Know what,exactly?

God, why can’t I be cool, just for an hour?

In a group, I can fake it okay, but here, with nothing surrounding us but the birds and bees, I feel naked and vulnerable.

Mostly, I’m scared of reading into something that isn’t there. Again.

Wiggling my toes in the water, I grin as a dragonfly flits away from its perch on a reed. “I’m the world’s worst flirt. Iget all tangled up and trip over my words. Wind up bright red and running for cover.”

Braden rests his chin on his palm. “You really are shy, aren’t you?”

I nod. “I have my moments where I speak my mind, but mostly, I’m a total introvert. So even if someone attempted to woo me, their efforts would go straight over my head.”

His eyes roam over my figure as he bites back a smile. “Nowyou tell me. Am I failing miserably here?”

I take another sip of wine, desperate to squelch the butterflies in my stomach. “That depends. Are you trying to woo me?”

Braden laughs, running a hand over his bearded jaw. “That might be the plan. Though if you had to ask, I’m clearly off to a rough start.”

I clink my glass against his before taking another swallow. “I’d say you’re perfect.”

“Hardly. Just ask your aunt.”

Shit. I knew this conversation was coming.

I set the wine aside and sit cross-legged, facing him. “She’s being horrible to you, isn’t she? What did she say?”