The ploy worked, and thirty minutes later they were relaxing on the couch, having settled on an order of events for the fundraiser event, only differing slightly from the previous year. They sat side by side, though she carefully preserved a space between them—an invisible wall. Yet the space did nothing to block the intoxicating scent emanating from her skin and hair, fresh and citrusy. Every minute they spent together made him crave more. And tonight, her love and appreciation for piano music had tipped him over the edge.
I like this woman.
It had happened, as he’d always feared. The smart thing to do was to stay far, far away from Laurie Fields. But, like a kid fascinated with fire, he wanted to get closer, despite the risk of being burned.
“By the way,” he asked, “have you reserved the company jet for us?”
“The jet?” She blinked rapidly.
“Phantom Enterprises owns one. Most of the time it’s transporting kids and families across the country for treatment, but we use it from time to time. It may be too late, since the event is only three weeks away. Sometimes we lease one for a few days at a time.”
She studied her fingernails, her hands fidgeting. “I was planning to take the train. Save some money. I figure every little bit we save in expenses helps the kids.”
“Oh...” His gut churned. He hated admitting his weakness. “I try to spend as little time as possible in confined spaces with a lot of people. I can fly commercial and wear a mask. But… if people recognize me, I feel like—”
“Gracious! I’m so sorry.” Her right hand came down over his left, a thoughtless gesture that set his heart thudding against his ribs. She babbled on, unaware of his pending cardiac episode. “I wasn’t thinking about traveling with CF. Of course, it would be better for you to fly on a private jet.”
He gently laid his right hand on top of her fingers, nodding as she continued her speech, while he concentrated on the incredible soft texture of her skin.
“I didn’t mean to imply there was anything wrong with you flying in a private jet,” she said. “I could still travel by train and save us some money, though.”
“If I’m flying in a private jet, it won’t cost us any extra for you to fly with me.” He trailed his fingers up the back of her hand, swirling a circle across her tendons. He noted, with satisfaction, when her eyes blinked closed, opening slowly to half-mast.
She snatched her hand away, locking her fingers together in her lap. “But I have to go early… Dara said she goes up about a week before Jarrett does.”
Her lower lip trembled, and suddenly his eyes were riveted. He imagined how it would feel to press his mouth to hers, to caress those delectable lips. Were they as soft and supple as they looked?
It was foolish. He knew better. It could never work. He was only setting both of them up for pain and heartache. He absolutely, positively, could not allow himself to kiss her. He had to exercise self-control.
Then the tip of her tongue darted out to wet her lips. His self-control flew out the window and crashed to the ground in a heap.
Before he knew what was happening, his hand was under her chin, tilting her face toward him. Her lips parted, breaths coming quickly. He searched the depths of her bottomless brown eyes, looking for an answer to his unasked question. He saw nervousness… indecision… passion…
“I’ll take that as a yes,” he murmured, as his fingers drifted along her jawline, down to her neck, and behind her head to tangle in her hair. His other hand stroked the soft skin on the side of her face, while her lids drooped as if he’d drained her essence with his touch. When her palm came up to rest on his chest, his heart pounded, attempting to leap into her hand. He leaned in slowly, drawing out the moment. Her lips were so close he could feel their heat.
Then a loud bump sounded behind him, and Laurie sprang away, smoothing her hair in place.
Her brows arched high over rounded eyes. “Cole!”
Finn whipped around to face Cole, who dropped his suitcase on the floor by the front door.
“What are you doing here?” Finn demanded, as Laurie buried her face in her hands.
“I came back from Bran’s place so my poor sick friend wouldn’t be by himself when he just got out of the hospital.” He grinned like a kid at Christmas as he sauntered over to sit on the chair opposite the couch. “But it looks like you weren’t suffering all alone, after all.”
“You couldn’t have called first?” Finn balled his hands into fists.
“It’s after nine. You’re usually through with your CF treatment and sound asleep by now.” Cole flipped his hand toward them. “Please, don’t mind me. Go on with whatever you were doing.”
“We weren’t doing anything,” Laurie protested between the fingers covering her face.
“Look,” Cole said, leaning forward, elbows on his knees. “Whatever’s going on between the two of you, I think it’s great.”
Finn growled. “There’s nothing going on between us. Nothing.”
“That’s not what it looked like to me,” said Cole, waggling his eyebrows.
Finn spoke with his jaw clenched. “Cole Miller, if you breathe a word of this to anyone, so help me, I’ll post every picture I have on social media, including the one of you streaking across campus.”