Cali inched her way down the staircase. She could hear Matthew already in the kitchen and braced herself to see him again.He was facing away from her when she entered, reaching into the silverware drawer. When he shut the drawer, he seemed to sense her, looked over his shoulder, and smiled. She felt her stomach do a little flip.
“Good morning.”
She pushed a lock of her hair behind her ear and took her usual seat at the island. “Good morning.”
Matthew brought two bowls of fruit and two muffins over before sitting down beside her. He grabbed a muffin and started eating.
Cali stole several glances at him, but he continued to stare at his food. It was like she wasn’t even there.
He speared his last piece of fruit with his fork and paused before taking a bite. “Did you have anywhere you needed to go today? I know my presence is intrusive but it shouldn’t stop you from your normal activities. I’ll try to make myself as inconspicuous as possible.”
She froze with her fork midway to her mouth. Was he really doing this? Again? Was he really going to ignore what had happened? What kept happening?
Dropping her fork down in her bowl with much more force than necessary, Cali stood and marched over to the sink. She couldn’t believe him.
The bowl clattered against the stainless steel surface of the sink as she not so gently placed it inside. She stood with her hands gripping the sink, trying to breathe through the emotions running through her.
Cali felt Matthew come up beside her and whirled around to face him—ready to do battle.
“Cali? What’s—”
“Don’t you dare ask me what’s wrong!”
He stood there looking lost.
She clenched her fists, trying to keep her temper in check, but she was livid. Was he really this clueless?
“You’re really going to do this, aren’t you?” She didn’t really expect an answer. “Again.”
Matthew gave no response. Other than to flex his jaw, he didn’t move.
Cali combed her fingers through her hair in frustration and then let her arms fall back down to her sides. She needed to get away, so she pushed off the counter and walked away. “I give up.”
She only made it two steps before Matthew grabbed her arm to stop her.
He scanned her face as if he were looking for the answers to solve the world’s deepest mysteries. “Cali?”
“How many times?” she asked. “How many times and then you just close down and act like nothing happened?”
“Three,” he said, his voice flat.She stepped closer and looked into his eyes. She hadn’t expected him to answer her. Or if he did, she was expecting something more along the lines of, ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’
Matthew met her gaze with firm determination. “In my office.”
He took a step closer. “In your office.”
Cali watched the movement of his throat as he swallowed. The room seemed to be getting warmer.
Matthew took another step, closing the distance between them. “Last night.”
Her heart was hammering in her ears. He was right in front of her now. Close enough that she could feel the heat radiating off him. Close enough that she could smell the cologne he was wearing.
“That’s how many times I’ve almost kissed you,” he whispered, his breath ghosting across her face, his lips mere inches from hers.
She couldn’t pull her gaze away from his.
“Four.” He said it so soft she could barely hear.
Cali’s heart skipped a beat and it felt as if all the air had been sucked out of the room.
He tilted his head forward, bringing their lips even closer. “Tell me no, Cali. Tell me to stop.”
Matthew’s eyes were pleading with her—almost begging her to stop him—but she remained silent. She wanted this. More than anything she wanted this.
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