A Delicious Touch — By Erika B.
On May 15th, Erika B. returns with a new release and she has a special sneak peek for you to read below.
Auden McNeil
My gaze swept my office before landing on the window that faced the other employees. Reese Webster stepped into my view, and I licked my lips involuntarily. Leaning forward, the thought of having her to myself crossed my mind.
I frowned because I was unsure of where the thought came from.
Never in my thirty-four years on the earth had I looked at another woman and felt I needed her. My mother leaving me and my father behind taught me a long time ago that I didn’t need anyone. Yet, Miss Webster’s presence had me in a chokehold. She left her office for the kitchen, and I could no longer keep my distance. I hopped out of my chair and left my office, smiling at several people as I approached the kitchen.
I stepped into the kitchen and smiled.
“I see we meet—”
“Shit, Reese! Look at this plate. Now you’re going to have these people thinking you’re a pig.” I watched as Reese chewed on her bottom lip. “Well, you can’t put it back…” She paused again before speaking. “Hmm, a napkin to cover the plate so no one can see.”
That thought caused a smile to spread across her face and brought one to mine as well.
“You shouldn’t care what strangers think of you.”
Reese spun on her heels, hit the corner of the table, and jerked forward, almost losing control of her plate.
I stepped forward and caught her by her elbow. The touch was electric, and it caused me to drop my hand from her skin. We stared at each other. The air thinned, and my mind became dizzy. My brows dipped in confusion because I couldn’t comprehend how this woman could affect me in this way. Part of me wanted to flee, but the other part wanted to draw closer to Reese Webster.
Laughter behind us snapped us out of whatever trance we found ourselves in.
“Where the hell did you come from?” Her hand flew to her mouth as if she hadn’t meant to curse. “You scared me,” she whispered.
I chuckled. “My apologies. I spoke when I came in, but you were a little occupied.”
I used my head to point to her napkin-covered plate.
She giggled and lifted the napkin. Reese looked over the food like she had no clue what she’d gotten. It was amusing that it was her way of avoiding eye contact with me.
I cleared my throat, and her head snapped up and our eyes connected.
“Oh, I didn’t mean to get so much. It all looked good, and before I knew it, I had one of everything.”
She set her plate down as if she’d been caught doing something bad.
“You don’t have to explain your appetite to me, beautiful. If you’re hungry, eat. That’s what I do, so you shouldn’t feel bad about doing the same.”
Reese stared at me briefly before cocking her head to the side.
My comment wasn’t meant to be erotic, but the change in her breathing couldn’t be missed. I was sure she was unaware, but her head tilted to the left a little more, and her eyes squinted as she stared. It was as if her brain was trying to dissect my words. I smiled to disarm her, but a puff of air slipped between her parted lips, causing my body to react. Reese licked her lips, and her eyes left my face and scanned my body.
She wrung her hands and I moved around her so I was closer to the food.
“What are you going to eat?” she asked, attempting to look over my arm.
I hadn’t noticed her moving closer until I felt her body heat.
“I always start with something sweet then move toward savory.”
I looked over my shoulder to find her eyes on me instead of the food.
Holding her stare had my body responding to the lust in her eyes. Her nut-colored brown eyes told a story that I wouldn’t mind acting out. I needed to keep my distance, but I knew I wouldn’t.
Unable to stop myself, I stepped closer, but Jade from accounting stepped into the kitchen, bringing us back to reality.
“Well, nice running into you.”
Reese left the kitchen like it was on fire, and all I could do was laugh.
“It definitely won’t be the last time,” I muttered.