Page 17 of To Steal a Heart
“It was,” she agreed. “How’s your hand doing?” It was red across the knuckles, but it didn’t seem to be swollen.
He balled his hand. “A little sore, but the ice helped.”
“I’m glad.” As soon as they’d gotten to her place, Arden had made Crew an ice pack which he placed over his hand.
Arden soaked in Crew’s extraordinary good looks. His eyes were so crystal blue that she could melt right into them. She followed the angular line of his lean jaw, taking note of his sculpted features. He truly was breathtaking.
A corner of his mouth twitched before he quirked a crooked grin. “Do I have food on my face?”
“No, why?”
“You keep staring at me.”
A heat wave rolled over her. “I’m not staring,” she retorted. How humiliating! She needed to stop salivating.
An easy chuckle rolled from his throat as he eyed her in a challenge. “You’re not?”
“No,” she shot back.
Faint amusement glimmered in his eyes. “That’s too bad.”
Startled laughter gurgled in her throat. “Do you want me to stare?”
“Maybe.”
Her skin sizzled with awareness. Was this really happening?
He leaned forward and locked gazes with her, not trying in the least to hide the appreciation in his eyes.
“Now who’s the one staring?” she murmured, her pulse quickening. The air was charged with a raw energy that was so strong it was nearly palpable.
“You’re beautiful,” he said matter-of-factly.
Wow, he was charming. His words sank deep into her yearning heart. “Thanks. So are you.”
His eyes zinged with humor. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Good,” she chimed, “because that’s how it was meant.” She tipped her head. “I don’t even know your last name.”
“Bronson.”
“Crew Bronson,” she murmured. It was a tough-sounding name. She liked it.
“What’s your last name?”
Had it just been a few hours ago when Arden was so melancholy? Now, everything was heightened with a bold brilliance that whispered of endless adventures waiting to be had. She’d felt boxed in before—disillusioned with her career and personal life. It was astounding and a little scary how quickly her viewpoint had shifted. Everything was blissfully right in the world now that Crew Bronson had entered her life. She realized he was waiting for her response and then blurted, “Chas—” She gurgled, nearly choking on her own saliva.
He gave her a funny look. “Are you okay?”
She held up a hand and coughed in an attempt to clear her throat. “I’m good,” she croaked. “It’s Croft.” Her cheeks grew miserably hot. She’d gotten so spellbound by his magnificence that she nearly lost herself for a moment and blurted out her real name. Yes, she was a louse for lying to Crew, but she wanted him to get to know the real her … away from the complication that the Chasing name would bring. Croft was her mother’s maiden name. What was the harm in letting Crew believe that she was a normal person? If things went as well as she hoped, then she’d eventually come clean. But there was no sense in fretting over that right now.One step at a time.In this moment, it was nice to simply be here with him and enjoy his company.
Her breath caught when he reached across the table and caught hold of her hand. “You said earlier that you’re an aspiring writer.”
“Yes.” She cringed inwardly, hoping that Crew wouldn’t hate her when he learned the truth.
“What do you want to write?”
It was hard to focus on the conversation when all she could think about was how his touch was thrilling. She didn’t remember ever being this twitter-pated before. “Romantic suspense.” Better to keep her story as close to the truth as possible.