Preservation (27 page)

Damn. Not liking where this was going.

Little Miss Tardy made it clear the few times I’d talked to her in class that she wasn’t like the others, who normally rolled out the red carpet and gave me the green light the second they were alone with me. She seemed more like a perpetual yellow light. And something told me she was borderline trigger-happy red. Still, damned if I wasn’t going to try. I wanted to taste those lips. And her writing was smart. Really fucking smart. I couldn’t stop thinking about her work since she let me read it.
Think of something quick, man.

I moved in closer.

“I think that’s an excellent idea. But first, promise me you’ll try this. You’ll feel the difference, I swear it.” She stood still as I positioned myself at her side, just behind her left shoulder, and tensed up slightly when I gripped her elbow. “When you roll your shoulder, just let it roll in one fluid movement when your body shifts.” My eyes rested on her full red lips and fine China skin. Slowly and evenly, I pushed her shoulder down and then around, gently pulling on her arm, watching her committed focus with admiration. Damn, she really was beautiful. Like some elusive, rare diamond. And so intent on getting it right. I skimmed my thumb over the crease of her elbow, studying her graceful strength and the way she yielded to my instruction, wondering how accurate the accounts were in her short story.
Was she really abused by some druggie asshole boyfriend? Who would do those things to this gorgeous, gentle woman? And was her dad really in jail? Did she really leave home as a kid when he—

“Like this?” she stirred my thoughts, repeating the motion. The brush of her skin on mine made me shuffle closer, her body responding with a warm flush under my touch. Pleased by the pink color spreading over her skin, I leaned in, nudging her earlobe with the edge of my nose, feeling her shiver. The slight tilt of her head encouraged me forward, her eyes shutting briefly when I grazed my lips against her hair. I let my hands slide slowly down over the curves of her hips, latching onto them as she mimicked the technique again.

“Yeah, exactly like that.”

Her eyes immediately found mine over her shoulder.

I sucked in a quiet, shallow breath, my fingers twitching against her hips.
Ask her about her writing, damn it. Ask!
I couldn’t look away. No words could find their way to my lips. Those eyes gave it all away—and yet held a thousand secrets. They sliced through me so deep, I was sure she could see the monumental mess of a man I was; the deepest, darkest parts of my heart. I swallowed hard and dragged my gaze from hers, stumbling back against the pool wall, suddenly irritated I’d been objectifying her like the other chicks I’d screwed around with. She was too good for me. Too good for this bullshit I was trying to pull. And if her writing was any indication, way too bright to let some dick like me take advantage of her.

Suddenly that was the very last thing I wanted to do.

Just as quick as I weighed those thoughts, she started for the ladder. “I’ll try that next time I do my laps. Thanks, I better get going.”

I didn’t turn around; just stood still and listened to her snatch up her things, the rustle of her keys. “Good luck with your short story, Kate.”
It’s brilliant. Intelligent. Honest. Like you.
I chanced a peek at her. She looked hesitant, bag over her shoulder, body turned toward the exit, eyes meeting mine.

And there it was—mutual attraction. Conflict. Everything in me wanted to scream,
don’t look at me that way, honey. I’m a committment-phobe man whore. Run while you can!
Instead, I met her with a wry grin and a nod. What else could I give her besides a fun night? Hell, like I’d let her give
me
anything more. I glanced down at my tattoos. It’s not like I did relationships. Not anymore, not since Jamie. Casual, meaningless hook-ups were my style now. My terms. No bullshit.

“Thanks, Ryan. I’m sure it won’t be the last you’ll hear about it. I’ll keep you posted.” She gave me a faint smile and turned for the exit, my gaze following her. A precious gem like that deserved someone who could give her the world, who appreciated her authenticity; a scarce kind of beauty, in my experience.

And I wasn’t that man. Not yet, but it sure as hell was something to aspire to.

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COMING SOON...

A realistic literary drama by debut novelist Cathy Givans.