“Would you have given yourself to me in Cor’s office?”
Kate licked her lips.
“Did you spill your drink on purpose?”
“Spencer…” She tried to shake her head, but it was too heavy to move. The lump in her throat was so tight she couldn’t catch her breath.
“Is this some game?” His hands tightened another fraction and she knew he was fishing for a reason to reject what he was feeling. The same need that kept her hand on him. “Make fun of the boss’s weird friend.”
“Don’t say that!” Anger made her voice harsher than intended. “You’re not weird.”
“No?” The sound was almost mocking.
“You’re brilliant, successful, and have a dry sense of humor. Dry is my favorite.” She meant every word. She had heard him tease his friends repeatedly and thought the three men had a great relationship.
Dios mio.Kate needed to say how she felt. Maybe then he’d understand that this…what he was feeling now, echoed in her too. They were flames of hunger she’d experienced since first laying eyes on him.
“Spencer—”
He dropped her hand, stepping away. “I need a minute. This is overwhelming.”
He meantshewas overwhelming.
CHAPTERFIVE
Spencer
Thirty minutes in his home office and he was still frustrated. Putting her hands on him was a mistake because he couldn’t erase her touch from memory. The way she’d cupped him was warm and inviting. Spencer closed his eyes, sure he’d imagined her grip, the slight strokes of her thumb under his hand. And her gasp… Had that been from excitement or shock?
He cursed. Why had she gone through the trouble of offering help if she knew his quirks? They were opposites. She was outgoing and he was a hermit. He didn’t do clubs or cruises. He preferred private dinners and first-class seats to…everywhere. He would always choose tailor-made over malls and a sauna to a masseuse rubbing against him for hours.
They were very different. If she wasn’t irritated with him already, she’d soon be disappointed that he wasn’t what she expected. So why was he halfway out the door? Why was he hoping she was still here?
He sent a text to Wren cancelling his double date. He’d barely pressed send when his phone chirped with an incoming message.
Wren: Bro, where are you?
Spencer: Something came up. Could you handle tonight? I’ll owe you one.
Wren: This isn’t your anxiety, right. ’Cause I can be there in 10.
Spencer smiled. Wren should be teasing him about having the ladies to himself, instead he was willing to scrap his evening. He loved hanging out with the guys, but tonight wasn’t one of those nights. He didn’t want a buffer, he wanted the woman that smelled of strawberries.
Spencer: No anxiety. I want to hear all about your night tomorrow.
Lest not the type of stress that made his skin scrawl.
He was about to head to his bedroom when he heard the television. Knowing he wasn’t alone sent warmth to his toes. Spencer didn’t realize he was missing out on more than dating until he saw her curled up on the couch watching a cheesy romantic Christmas movie.
“Hey,” he said, standing where her head rested on the sofa’s arm. Spencer needed to be close to her, as if the brief minutes rejuvenating in his office were too much.
“Hey,” she said, looking up at him. “I sent your clothes to the dry cleaners.”
“Thanks, but how did you know which cleaners?”
“One of your shirts still had the cleaners’ tag.”
“I thought you’d be gone.” He deserved nothing less for locking himself away. On impulse, Spencer gave into his restless fingers, smoothing wayward strands of hair from her cheek.