Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 111775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 559(@200wpm)___ 447(@250wpm)___ 373(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 559(@200wpm)___ 447(@250wpm)___ 373(@300wpm)
He shook his head, and I started to unwrap it. “You’re probably better off. It’s only plain cheese.”
Taking a bite, I chewed and tried to get comfortable on the desk, but it wasn’t big enough to accommodate me. The next thing I knew, Shay was taking my hand and pulling me over to sit on his lap. His other hand went to my hip to balance me, and my heart beat rapidly as my bottom met his strong thighs. I had to take a moment to calm myself because sitting like that was more intimate than we’d been so far. My entire body fizzled with sensation as I tried to contain all that I was feeling.
“You could’ve given me a little warning,” I said with a breathy chuckle.
Of course, he didn’t respond, just turned the chair a little so he could concentrate on the monitors while I ate. It was difficult to focus on my sandwich, especially when his arm came to rest loosely around my middle. I took a bite, barely tasting a thing, while Shay flicked between cameras, keeping an eye on the hotel’s communal areas. He leaned forward as he concentrated on what appeared to be the main lobby, his chest warm and solid at my back.
“I’m in your way,” I said quietly, moving to climb off him, but his arm around my middle tightened, holding me in place. Electricity zinged through me. I willed my heart to slow down as I continued, “Okay, well, just let me know if you need me to move.”
The next few minutes passed in silence while I finished eating. I was incredibly aware of Shay’s heat at my back, of every time our arms brushed, every rustle of fabric. It was nearing the time when I really needed to leave, but I didn’t want the moment to end. Sitting on Shay’s lap was perhaps the most exciting thing to happen to me all year. I found him so incredibly attractive, even more so as I got to know him better.
I glanced down at his hand where it rested in the centre of my lap. It was oddly mesmerising. I liked being that close to him, so close I could smell his fresh, citrusy cologne, could feel his warmth.
“I have to be getting back now,” I said at last, and his arm finally loosened, allowing me to stand. I mourned the loss of his hold and knew I could’ve happily spent all day sitting there while he watched those security monitors.
Zipping up my coat and hitching my bag over my shoulder, I did something I never imagined I would’ve been brave enough to do only a few days ago. I bent and pressed a gentle kiss to the corner of his mouth, right where it always creased whenever he smiled at me. I felt him inhale sharply and nervous energy flooded my system. I could hardly believe I just did that, and a part of me wanted to do more. I wanted to kiss him fully on the lips, but I didn’t have the courage. His eyelids lowered to my mouth as I drew away, and I wasn’t mistaken at the heat I saw in his expression.
Unable to handle the intensity for a second longer, I blurted, “See you later,” then hurried from the office.
9.
Shay
My chest felt pleasantly light as my hand rose to the spot where Maggie’s lips had been. They were soft, hesitant, and I’d fought the urge to turn my head and capture her mouth. I wanted to kiss her the way I sometimes thought about when we sat quietly together on the bus, but I refrained. My gut instinct told me to be patient because I sensed she didn’t allow herself to get close to people very often.
Admittedly, I was surprised to see her at the hotel. I hadn’t even noticed my phone was missing until she turned up with it. The look on her face as she stood in the lobby, like she was doing something wrong just by being there, made me irritable.
I wanted her to know she never had to feel that way, not with me.
I also wanted nothing more than to give that prick, Lloyd, a piece of my mind for being rude to her. But that was the tragedy of my life. I wasn’t equipped to have strong words with people, though I did intend to glower at him intensely the next time our paths crossed.
Throughout my life, I’d had to utilise other forms of communication outside of speech. My facial expressions were one. Body language worked, too. You’d be amazed by what you could express simply from the way you stood, the slant of your head, if your shoulders were relaxed or tense, arms folded or by your sides.
Pulling Maggie onto my lap was an exaggerated form of body language communication. I wanted her to know I was a safe place for her, that she was always welcome to come closer if she needed to.