Page 82 of Burning Caine
I shook with the chuckle, trying to hold it in. Her lack of social boundaries had irritated me when I’d first met her, but it was growing on me. Like a fungus.
“I would love to. However—” He paused, that deep, accented voice running chills up and down my spine. “—it would appear you already have an expert with you.”
“Hardly.”He’ll make you think you’re the most interesting woman in the world.
“Don’t sell yourself short. I was impressed.”
I tore my face away from the sun’s warmth and serenity to frown at him. “You’re impressed easily.”
Lucy spluttered a laugh.
“That was more than an art history degree and a summer with ARCA. How do you know so much?” He touched my back again. It was innocent, but every time he did it brought back memories of our dance, the look in his eyes, and the invitation I’d almost given him.
I shifted away from him, my body protesting the whole time. If only it would listen to my brain. My brain knew I had to be careful around sexy men with their smooth words and ready smiles. “I told you already. Long and uninteresting story.”
“Over dinner would be an excellent time to tell me.”
“Do you listen to anything I say? Or are you running your own little narrative through your head for me?” I marched back to the truck and turned, reminding Lucy it was time to go. Goddamn Victoria Meyers and her fucking Calendar Club. I make one decision to follow my heart instead of my head and this happens.
Behind the wheel, I watched the two of them chatting. He smirked, she laughed, they shook hands, and she walked to the truck with a grin.
“My word was moody.” Lucy hoisted herself into the truck and pulled the heavy door shut. “His were fierce and determined. Then I suggested stubborn, but he said you weren’t as stubborn as him.”
“Lucy, enough.”
“Then, he told me I was supposed to convince you to go out with him again.” She shoved me playfully while she laughed. He hadn’t moved from the front of the gallery and stood there watching me with an exasperatingly sexy smirk I felt all the way in my toes.
When Lucy gave him a thumbs up, he waved and headed to his car.
“How are you saying no to that? I mean, seriously! You two are so cute together. He obviously likes you a lot.”
“No, Lucy, he obviously likeswomena lot.”
“Didn’t kiss my hand when he came in.”
“Cut it out!” My phone rang, and I answered. “Saman—”
“What the literal fuck, Sam?” Great. My sister.
Lucy’s eyes popped as I disconnected the phone from the audio system and held it to my ear.
“Cass, I’ve got someone in the truck—”
“If you tell me it’s him—” I had to pull the phone away from my ear. “—I will lose it!”
“It’s that intern I’m mentoring. I’m working. I’ll call you later.”
“You were supposed to call me Saturday night if he showed up!”
Antonio drove off, his music thudding so loud my rearview mirror shook. I turned the engine off and slid out of the truck, mouthingone secto Lucy.
“Cass, I’ll say this one more time, then I’m done: I’m a grown woman.”
“Nathan said—”
“Stop!” I rubbed a hand over my face and took in a deep breath, let it out loudly enough she heard it. “I seriously need to get back to work. But I love you, so I’ll give you the quick and dirty version. You going to listen until I’m done?”
Grudgingly, she agreed.