Chapter 196
Chapter 196:
“Because I actually arrived early. And for the record, my eyes are up here,” I replied, lifting a hand to point at my face. “Staring at my chest won’t do you any good p>
He blinked, surprised for the briefest moment, and I was glad. If he wanted to judge me, then he needed to see I wouldn’t shrink or soften myself for him. He wasn’t the only one who deserved to be understood. He would have to learn how to deal with me, too.
I walked past him toward the entrance, but he caught my arm before I could reach the door.
“Where are you going?” he asked, irritation in his tone.
I rolled my eyes. “Use your head, Daniel. I’m going inside. That’s where the party is, isn’t it p>
“Next time, show up at least thirty minutes early. My time is too valuable to waste waiting for you.” Before I could snap back, he took my hand. My mouth fell open when he lifted it and carefully placed it on his arm.
“And who told you to wait for me, Mr. Kelley? I never asked you to spend a single second on me p>
We walked in silence, but he stopped short halfway. I halted too and turned to look at him, unsure what had made him stop.
“You have no idea what that sweet, clever mouth of yours could do to me, Sophia p>
Wow. My name rolled off his tongue in a way that made my stomach flip. I meant to keep my thoughts to myself, but the question slipped out before I could stop it.
“And what exactly do you plan to do with this sweet, clever mouth, Daniel? Were you hoping to kiss me p>
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He looked surprised for a fraction of a second—long enough for me to know he hadn’t expected my words.
A slow, knowing smile curved his mouth, and his gaze fixed on my lips. He lifted a hand, his fingers brushing the side of my face with a warmth that stole my breath.
“I didn’t know you could read minds, my dear p>
The way he said those last two words left me breathless. He began to lean in, closing the small space between us until his face hovered inches from mine.
“And if I kissed you right now, would you stop me?” he murmured, his voice lower than before.
My heart pounded so hard it drowned out everything else. The rush in my chest made my ears ring, and the world blurred at the edges. I didn’t even notice the people near the entrance.
He leaned closer, slow enough that I felt every inch of the distance shrinking. And just before his lips could brush mine—just before I could lose my first kiss to a man I barely understood—a voice came from the doorway.
“I hate to interrupt this sweet moment, dears, but the party is about to begin. Don’t worry—you two can continue whatever you were doing inside,” Mrs. Kelley said with a playful wink.
I held my breath as reality slammed back into place. Were we really about to kiss?