Page 30

‘You could make it worse.’

‘Leo,’ I say, forcing him to look up at me, his face etched with concern, ‘I’m fine .’

It’s at that moment that we both realise how close we are, his face just inches from mine.

His hands don’t move from my arm, his touch comforting and electrifying at the same time.

I hold his gaze until his eyes flicker down to my lips as I wet them, my mouth dry, my heart beating a million miles an hour.

When he brings his eyes back up to lock them with mine, they seem different somehow, searing and fierce.

Hungrier . A bolt of desire erupts between my legs and my breath hitches.

He tilts ever so slightly nearer; I shift my shoulders in his direction, the charged gap between us gradually closing.

He’s going to kiss me.

Leo Silva is going to kiss me.

A clatter from behind the bar brings us both back to reality with a jolt. We spring apart, turning to see Marina helping a colleague with a tray of glasses that almost went shattering to the floor.

When I twist myself back in my seat, Leo is sitting deep in thought.

He fixes a smile when I catch his eye. I smile awkwardly back, wondering if he’s thinking what I’m thinking, which is along the lines of: what the fuck just happened?

And, Thank goodness we were interrupted , and also, I wish we hadn’t been interrupted .

‘I should go get you some water so you can take some painkillers,’ he says, getting to his feet. He looks restless and uncomfortable, like he wants to escape the situation.

‘It’s fine,’ I say, flustered, trying to collect myself as I start to stand up. ‘I have some in the apartment.’

‘You can’t walk home on that foot; let me help you.’

‘I can walk a few metres,’ I insist, holding up my hand and stopping him from trying to link my arm around him again. ‘It’s a cut; nothing is broken.’

‘Still. You should rest.’

‘Thank you, Dr Silva,’ I say, rolling my eyes. ‘Seriously, though, thank you for everything today and for all your help with my foot. It already feels better.’

‘Okay.’ He’s agitated, his brow furrowed. ‘What are you doing tonight? I could bring you some food or something. You really shouldn’t be walking around with an injury.’

‘I… I’m out tonight.’

‘Oh.’ He hesitates, looking torn for a moment before he asks, ‘Is it an interview for the article?’

He’s prying . It could be that he’s eager to be kept in the loop about all my research for the feature, but after that intense moment between us, it feels like something is charged. This is no longer a professional relationship.

I don’t know what this is anymore.

‘No.’

A muscle in his jaw twitches. I don’t say anything further.

I don’t need to; he can guess. For a moment, he looks irritated.

Disappointed. Jealous . Tingles run down my spine at the very thought of it.

I want him . I’m not going to pretend to myself like I don’t, because come on.

He’s so fucking hot, but also fun and cute and thoughtful.

The way he carried me up the beach, the way he looked at me when we had our almost-kiss moment…

He’s so gorgeous, he makes my brain malfunction.

But even if he felt the same way, nothing can happen. I know that. He surely knows that. So, here we are, standing in silence, tense and begrudging. The energy in the air between us is sparking and crackling.

‘I’ll let you get home then,’ he mutters eventually.

I nod, sliding myself past him to begin my agonisingly slow walk to the door.

‘Fuck’s sake, this is painful to watch,’ Leo huffs behind me, before I suddenly feel his hands around my waist again, propping my arm over his shoulders and hoisting me up so that I can lean my weight on him. ‘I’m driving you home.’

‘The apartment is down the road!’

‘At this rate, that will take you weeks.’

‘You don’t need to fuss, Leo.’

‘Yes, I do,’ he states so matter-of-factly, it shuts me right up.

He helps me into the truck and we sit in silence for the two-minute drive. When I steal a glance at him, his mouth is set in a hard line. He pulls up to my building, turns off the engine and jumps out to rush round and get the door, lifting me down and leading me to the door of the building.

‘Thank you,’ I begin, fishing out my keys, ‘but you don’t need—’

‘I’m taking you up to the flat,’ he says gruffly, not even looking at me.

And I don’t argue with that either. At first, he lets me lean on him as I attempt the stairs, but then he gets impatient and before I know it, I’m up in his arms again being carried all the way up to my floor. I clutch my hands round his neck a little tighter than is necessary.

When he lowers me down in front of my door, I open my mouth to thank him, but he cuts in before I can say a word.

‘Have fun tonight,’ he says, refusing to look me in the eye.

He’s spun round and rushed down the stairs before I can even consider saying out loud what I’d like to say. Which is that I’d like to cancel on José tonight.

And against all better judgement, I’d like to invite Leo inside.