go inside. It's only going to take a second.”
“Okay, thanks,” Dylan said.
The second we were alone, the air in the car crackled with tension. I licked my lips, looking away. A few moments of total silence passed, but the driver didn’t return. I couldn’t believe I was up in knots just because I was alone with him.
“Thanks for coming with me, Mel,” Dylan said.
“You’re welcome. I honestly still can’t believe you took that puppy home.”
“Why not?”
I shrugged one shoulder. “I don’t know. I wouldn’t have pegged you as a pet lover. You surprised me.”
“Surprised me too. You have that effect on me.” He caught my eye, bringing his fingers to my jaw, caressing it lightly. Goose bumps broke out on my skin. “And I can’t shake off this incessant need....”
“What need?” I whispered.
“To make you do something outrageous.”
His lips were on mine the next second, warm and sinfully sexy and determined. He wrapped his hand in my hair, cupping my head as he explored me. He overwhelmed my senses and my body. I was lost to the world, needing him to continue kissing me more than anything else. My lips were on fire, and when he cupped my thigh over the fabric of my dress, he lit up the rest of my body too. I was shaking lightly.
He groaned against my mouth, pulling back slowly. I came to my senses, realizing he’d kissed me here in full view of Manhattan. I mean, we were in a car, but still, I was sure the waves of heat radiating from us could be felt everywhere. This man was something else. Wow. I was tempted to check if my underwear had melted away. It felt like that, anyway.
Glancing up, I found him looking at me with those gorgeous, piercing eyes.
“Mel,” he murmured, touching my lip with his thumb.
I shook my head, drawing in a deep breath.
“Dylan, I... I like you a lot, but Isabelle told me some things.”
He frowned. “What things?”
I shimmied in my seat, avoiding his gaze. I was afraid I’d end up kissing him again if I looked at him for too long.
“That you just want to have fun. You're in that phase of your life, and I'm different. I want other things.”
He smiled, still touching my cheek. “I know. She told me, right after warning me not to ask you out.”
I jerked my head back in surprise. “What? When did that happen?”
“That evening after your fainting spell. She couldn't figure out why I didn't take my eyes off you. And since you swore me to secrecy, I didn't tell her about the fainting spell.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Really? That's the only reason you were looking at me?”
He smiled seductively, taking his hand away from my face. I immediately missed his touch, but this was for the better. I couldn't want this man. He was a great guy, but we wanted different things from our lives right now.
“We can be friends,” I blurted, realizing I sounded awkward. But I didn't know how to fill the silence. “Like I am with Isabelle and Brayden and Tess.”
"Friends," he said slowly, as if he was testing the word and wasn't sure if he liked it. There was a little twinkle in his eyes. “Okay.”
My pulse was speeding up just because he was looking at me. Yeah, I had a feeling this friendship thing wasn't going to be very easy.
Thankfully, the driver came back, putting the new bowl in the seat next to him. The gym was only a few blocks away, but it was much faster by car than on foot. Even so, the few minutes' drive was enough for me to feel on pins and needles.
I couldn’t ignore this tension between us, and somehow I didn't think it would get more manageable at the gym. When we got out of the car, he put his hand at the small of my back, making me simmer.
Oh, Christ. Dylan Gallagher was dangerous for me.
"See you in a bit," I said once we were inside. “I’m going to check on another client while you do your warming up on a treadmill, okay?”
“Sure, Mel, see you in a bit.” His mouth curved in a half smile as if he were laughing at a private joke.
I was hoping these twenty minutes would help us cool off.
No such luck.
I came back exactly twenty minutes later and immediately spotted Dylan running. It was not easy to ignore how sexy he was when he wore a tight tee and pants. Was