More Than a Billionaire(12)

“Are you okay?” Gray put the bowl back on the counter.

“I forgot you were here.” Yeah, like that would ever happen.

Gray’s mouth dropped open. “I don’t think any woman has ever said that to me before. I think I’ve been insulted.” He crossed his arms. “Maybe I should take my pizzas when they get here and go see your pole-dancing neighbor.”

Kiera tightened her grip on the vanilla. “I just meant that you were so quiet that I got caught up in what I was doing.”

Gray studied her, and she tried not to fidget.

“Joking, Kiera. You do remember what that is, right?” He stepped closer and reached for her hand. “If you hold this any tighter, you’re going to break it.” He pulled her fingers from the bottle. “Are you sure you’re okay? You’re trembling.”

“Caffeine withdrawal. I didn’t have my afternoon cup yet.” The lie flew out of her mouth.

“Gotcha. Happens to me all the time. Tell me where the coffee is and I’ll make us some.”

She doubted he ever suffered from her current aliment, but since he believed her excuse, she’d stick with it.

“Coffee’s in the corner cupboard.”

Somehow, she finished the cupcake batter without once again putting her foot in her mouth. She even thought she got the recipe correct, although it was possible she’d added too much sugar. With Gray in the tiny space that claimed to be a kitchen, she had a little trouble focusing on anything but him.

“These babies are ready for the oven.” Kiera opened the door. “I’ll do the dishes after we eat.”

The pizzas hadn’t arrived, but they should show up soon. At least she hoped so; her stomach kept making the most unladylike sounds.

“Health experts say you shouldn’t eat uncooked batter because of the raw eggs, but I can’t bake cupcakes and not lick the bowl.” Kiera ran her finger along the inside of the bowl and then licked the batter off. “Mmmm, perfect.” If she’d added too much of something or left something out, she couldn’t tell. “Want a taste?” She nodded toward the bowl.

Gray didn’t comment. Instead, he left his seat and approached her, reminding her a bit of a lion stalking his prey.

Why, oh why, did he have to look so sexy? She wanted to lick him the same way she’d licked the batter from her finger.

Without any warning Gray took her hand and used her finger to scoop up the chocolate batter. She watched as he lifted her hand toward his mouth, and about half a second before he closed his lips around her finger, she realized his intent. But by then, it was too late.

His tongue ran along her finger, and then he sucked the remaining batter off. Right away, a mental image of him doing the same thing somewhere else on her body danced before her eyes. Heat spread throughout her, and she swallowed, frozen in place.

He pulled her finger from his mouth. “Delicious.” Gray maintained eye contact as he kissed the top of her hand. His breath traveled over her skin, sending shivers up her arm.

“You, uh, always did love chocolate.” Her voice came out far from casual, but considering the circumstances, that came as no surprise.

He lowered their hands, but didn’t let go. “I didn’t mean the batter.”

Boy, oh, boy did she need a cold drink. “Gray—”

The intercom came to life.

“Pizzas.” Thank God.

Gray nodded. “I’ll get them.”

Alone, Kiera sagged against the counter. The Gray Sherbrooke who’d given her a hug, patted her on the back, and even kissed her on the cheek… that Gray she could handle. But she didn’t know what to make of the man who’d just sucked raw cupcake batter off her finger and kissed her hand. Most women in her shoes would thank their lucky stars, then grab hold of Gray before he changed his mind and went back to giving them friendly pats on the back.

She had no intention of doing that. A safer route would be to sit him down and ask him if he was okay. Maybe he’d bumped his head while in the shower or was, perhaps, having a life crisis.

Yup, when he came back, she’d ask him and get to the bottom of things because some kind of logical explanation had to exist. After all, they’d known each other for almost thirty years and he’d never once hinted that he saw her as anything but a friend.

Sure, she’d wished he saw her as more from time to time, but she’d gotten over the teenage crush a long time ago.

The apartment door opened, and Gray walked in, carrying two pizza boxes as if he did it every day. The aroma of pizza made her stomach rumble.

“I almost ate a slice on my way back up.”

She watched him cross the living room and wished he did do it every day. Move your legs. Do something useful. Kiera gave herself a mental shake and grabbed some plates from the cupboard.