Secret Desire(18)
She folded her arms across her chest. “Features about Seattle and national events. I’m assigned articles about current events.” Truthfully, if she could sit down to write right now, she’d fill up pages featuring him. To begin with, his hips were narrow under what looked like a washboard set of abs.
“Sounds interesting. Do you travel to get your story?” Her attention returned to his face, and his lips quirked under her attention.
“Not for the national stuff. It’s easy with the Internet to email questions or to Skype with people. I conduct face-to-face interviews for local pieces. Right now, I’m doing more on local politics.”
A set of dimples appeared on either side of his face, catching her off-guard. “It’s no big deal.” She was stammering, and the corners of his mouth turned up further.
She’d forgotten how deep her attraction ran and the many memories she carried that involved him sporting such a smile.
God, she wanted to strip him down and taste him on the pages of her next story. She imagined him positioned in back of her, taking charge. Focus, she told herself. All this time, she’d envisioned countless scenes with him, but never felt over-the-top crazy wild. Seeing him again made all the difference.
He was standing right before her, more gorgeous than she remembered. Grown up into a better version than any she’d ever created and making her toes curl.
“You sound like you’ve been pretty busy. We’re all proud of you here. Your mom and dad shared some your articles. Never anything boring. I’ve missed your sense of humor but discovered it’s in your writing.” He dipped his eyes to her mouth. His gaze traveled lower for a second.
Did he say that he missed her? No, that’s not what he meant.
She shifted nervously. “I try to cover different things…whatever crops up or is interesting. Ethos is pretty diverse and gives us plenty of freedom, as long as the article sells.”
His gaze returned to meet hers. “Just like the high school paper, always looking for sponsors. Ever thought of sports?”
“You’re joking.”
“Not really. It wouldn’t be that far-fetched, not considering the way you were so interested in horses and riding. I remember you were always on the move, doing something. I just wondered about some carry through.”
“I haven’t ridden in years.” She didn’t think much about being in the saddle these days, at least, not on a horse. “Mom and Dad haven’t owned horses since we left for college. I guess they needed too much upkeep. Do you remember Sunflower?”
“Yes. And you on her. The only girl who looked great in cutoffs and cowboy boots.”
“That was a very long time ago.” She’d loved brushing and grooming Sunflower’s golden coat as Dustin watched and sometimes helped her. She searched his face.
“I still enjoy remembering.”
What did he mean? She didn’t want to remember that she and Dustin had ridden bareback on her horse together or how it felt. Right before—
“You’re beautiful.” He turned away from her slightly. “How’s your sister?”
Oh, she got it. He was still hung up on Fran. Why not? Fran was the one who primped and worried about her looks. What would he think if he saw Fran now? Racing around in her black sports car. Living in a brownstone that bordered on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Fran wore tailored business suits, sat behind a sleek desk in a corner office with her name on the front door. She refused to think of Fran and Dustin. Bad match. The critic snarled.
“Fran. She’s doing really well. Partner in a brokerage house in Manhattan. Her element. No surprise there.”
“None. She was always meant for the big city.” His voice sounded wistful. “She’s not coming back.”
Dustin didn’t think Fran would come back. Had he contacted her? Fran acted like he was a small-town nobody. Fran was no mystery when it came to what she felt about Mill Spring.
“Fran’s super busy. There’s not much to do here right now. I can handle what needs to be done. If I need her, she’ll come back.”
He shrugged a shoulder. Dustin’s expression went blank, his lips tightening into a thin line.
“All this talk about family. You. What about you?” She noticed he didn’t wear a wedding band, yet today that couldn’t be taken as hard evidence of being single.
“I graduated in computer engineering. Not much to say. Rode the wave of IT going big and didn’t like the grind. I came back to find my footing. I’m taking time to reassess before getting back into the rat race.”
“Yes. I think a lot of people are reassessing. Do you remember how different it all seemed before we left for school? Returning home is strange—the changes to Mill Spring. I don’t know where I fit sometimes.”