And it’s frustrating because I shouldn’t want his lips near me, I shouldn’t be comfortable with him wrapped around me, I shouldn’t wait impatiently for him to call me babe, but here I am, waiting with bated breath for his next move.
“Because you’re Huxley’s brother. Because my company falls under your management. Because I knew you were in a different frame of mind than I am.”
“And if those weren’t factors, then what, Kelsey?”
I swallow hard.
My hands have slowed, barely mixing, and my heart pounds so loudly, it sounds deafening in my ears.
His cologne surrounds me.
His voice rumbles across my skin.
He’s deliciously trapped me between him and the counter.
This is everything I could dream up for a romantic moment, and yet, the man who’s making me feel, the man who’s turning me into a pool of yearning . . . is supposed to be my friend. He’s not supposed to be the one who makes my heart beat faster.
“Hell, I don’t know why I asked that,” he says, when he pulls his hands from the bowl, mistaking my silence for discomfort. “You have your reasons, and it’s great that we have this. You and me, friends. It’s been easy.”
I don’t turn toward him. I can’t.
I can’t let him see the way he affects me.
I can’t let him hear the thick breaths I’m taking, attempting to find that easy rhythm again.
And I can’t let him see how my hands are clawing at the masa, begging and pleading for him to come back.
“What can I do to prepare for the next step?” he asks.
I take a deep, steadying breath and slow my racing heartbeat. “You can lay out the husks and grab that spatula. We’re going to start spreading the masa on them.”
“You got it, babe.”
I squeeze my eyes shut. Keep it together, Kelsey.
“Eating out on the balcony was a great idea,” I say as I sip the homemade virgin margarita JP surprised me with.
Virgin, because he said he was backing off on drinking. He didn’t elaborate on his decision, but I could see that it was a well-thought-out one and I support him completely.
“But I can’t help but wonder,” I continue. “Were you hoping for an encore from the fuckers?”
“I mean . . . a little dinner and a show would’ve been nice.”
I laugh. “Not sure how great of a show that would’ve been.”
“It would’ve been entertaining, that’s for sure. But this is nice, the peaceful night, faint sounds from the streets below, the occasional whip of the wind, amazing food . . . it’s been a great night, Kelse.” He rubs his stomach. “Not sure I have room for my dessert.”
“Me neither.” I lean back in my chair. “I’m grateful for the elastic in my shorts. Is that an unflattering thing to say?”
“Not even a little.” He snaps the waistband of his shorts. “I’m just grateful we cleaned up while the tamales were steaming.”
“Me too.” I let out a low whistle. “I can’t believe we only have two more nights here. I feel sad about it. I’ve grown accustomed to the penthouse and this city.”
“What about the company?” JP asks, taking a sip of his margarita.
“That too. Going back to my tiny studio apartment will feel so lonely.”
“You can always move into my place. Plenty of room. Comes with access to an elaborate pool . . . and a hot tub.” He wiggles his eyebrows, causing me to laugh.
“Tempting, but I’m sure you’re ready to have your life back.”
“What do you mean by that?” he asks.
“You know, getting out and about, not always having to hang out with me.”
He looks me in the eyes when he says, “I don’t have to hang out with you, Kelsey. I want to hang out with you. I choose to.”
A smile tugs across my lips and I look away, hating that his words shoot a thrill up my spine.
“Same, Jonah,” I say, testing out his name. When I glance in his direction, his expression is of total awe. I wince. “I mean, JP.”
He shakes his head. “Call me what you want. I like both.”
“I like your real name. I think it fits you—at least, this side of you. JP is more of the partying playboy guy. But the man I’ve been hanging out with lately, he’s Jonah.”
“Yeah.” He looks up at me shyly. “I fucking like that a lot.”
“I’m glad.” I gather our plates and say, “It’ll be weird, though, going back to my normal life. I really enjoyed my time here.”