22

Neither of them seemed willing to end it. Amelia looked down briefly before looking back up.

"Can I ask something?"

"Anything."

"Were you planning on shaking my hand?"

Jake blinked.

"What?"

"You've looked at my hand three times."

"I have?"

"Unless you've suddenly developed a fascination with fingers or want to check if I've got eleven fingers maybe?"

His ears warmed.

"I..."

She tilted her head.

"Oh my goodness."

"What?"

"You've been trying to decide whether to hold my hand."

Jake considered denying it. Instead he admitted defeat.

"...yes."

Her smile became almost impossibly fond.

"You could have just asked."

"I realise that now."

"So why didn't you?"

Jake rubbed the back of his neck.

"I may have overthought it."

"You?"

"I know."

"I'm shocked."

She stepped half a pace closer.

"So."

"So?"

"I'm giving you permission."

Jake looked at her.

"Permission?"

"To hold my hand."

His wolf practically howled with delight. Very carefully, as though handling something precious, Jake reached out. His fingers brushed hers. Warm. Soft. The instant their hands touched, a powerful rush of calm swept through him. Not excitement. Not desire. Peace. Deep, absolute peace. His breath caught. Amelia's eyes widened ever so slightly.

"You felt that too," Jake said quietly.

She looked at him in surprise.

"I thought it was just me."

For several long seconds neither of them spoke. They simply stood there, fingers intertwined and Jake's brain stopped functioning. Kade, meanwhile, appeared ready to compose poetry.

Amelia smiled.

"I think..."

She stopped.

"What?"

"I think I like holding your hand."

Jake's heart performed something medically questionable.

"So do I."

She looked down at their joined hands.

"It's strangely..."

She searched for the word.

"...comfortable."

Jake nodded.

"It is."

She looked back up.

"You've gone very quiet."

"I have."

"What are you thinking?"

The truthful answer escaped before he could stop it.

"I'm trying very hard not to do anything stupid."

Amelia laughed.

"Like what?"

Before he could invent a sensible response, his wolf supplied one.

Kiss her.

Jake's eyes widened.

Absolutely not.

Not yet.

Far too soon.

His wolf disagreed. Strongly. Unfortunately, his face appeared to be having an entirely separate conversation because Amelia suddenly bit her lip to stop herself laughing.

"What?"

"I think I know exactly what your brain just did."

"You do?"

"You looked at me."

"Yes."

"Then at my lips."

Jake closed his eyes.

"Oh no."

"And then you panicked."

"I really did."

She laughed so hard she had to wipe tears from the corners of her eyes.

"I'm sorry."

"No, you're not."

"No."

She grinned.

"I'm really not."

Jake shook his head.

"I've handled negotiations worth millions of pounds."

"I'm sure."

"I've spoken in front of hundreds of people."

"I believe you."

"But apparently one woman smiling at me reduces me to complete incompetence."

"I find that strangely flattering."

"It isn't intended to be."

"I know."

She squeezed his hand gently. The tiny movement nearly finished him. His wolf was now unbearably smug.

See?

Jake took one slow breath.

Then another.

"I should probably go."

Amelia looked genuinely puzzled.

"Why?"

"Because..."

He searched desperately for something believable.

"...I've just remembered I promised my mother I'd help with..."

He stopped.

Amelia folded her arms.

"With?"

"...something."

She raised one eyebrow. Jake sighed.

"I'm running away."

The words hung between them. Then Amelia burst into uncontrollable laughter.

"You're what?"

"I'm running away."

"Why?"

"Because if I stay any longer, I'm going to kiss you."

Silence. Complete silence. Amelia stared at him. Jake realised what he'd said.

"Oh."

"That..."

Amelia smiled slowly.

"...is the most honest thing anyone has ever said to me."

Jake nodded once.

"I thought it was safer to leave."

She laughed again, softer this time.

"I think you might be right."

Relief flooded him.

"So you're not offended?"

"Jake."

She stepped forward and, before he could react, lifted onto her toes and kissed his cheek. It lasted barely a second. Warm. Gentle. Perfect.

"There," she whispered. "Now you don't have to wonder what would've happened."

Jake stood perfectly still. His entire body had forgotten how movement worked. Amelia smiled brightly.

"I'll let you escape now."

She turned towards the entrance to her building before glancing back over her shoulder.

"Oh, and Jake?"

"Yes?"

"Next time..."

She held up the hand that had been wrapped in his.

"...don't wait so long."

With that she disappeared inside. Jake remained rooted to the pavement for another full minute. A passing cyclist rang his bell.

"You alright, mate?"

Jake blinked.

"I..."

He looked at the building entrance. Then at the hand she'd been holding. Then smiled to himself.

"I think so."

The cyclist laughed and continued down the road. Jake finally turned towards home. Kade was insufferably pleased.

For once, Jake couldn't bring himself to argue with him.