Hector

Hector seemed hell bent on speaking unnervingly close up to her, because he took another step, closing off the space between them again. This time Charlee stood her ground and didn’t back up, but having him that close put every single one of her senses on alert. Her nose took in the mixture of his masculine scent with what was probably aftershave—a soft but very alluring aftershave.

“You always take that much time studying someone else’s game?” It was low and subtle, but her ears didn’t miss the low chuckle that reverberated from deep within him. “Or am I just that special?”

Unable to take how deeply he gazed into her eyes anymore, Charlee glanced away, noticing how the muscle on his big lower arm flexed. Looking further down, she saw why. His hand was fisted, and he was squeezing it off and on. How something so trivial could actually arouse her to the point she felt flushed was beyond infuriating. Did he know he could do this to her? Was this whole line of questioning—this closely—his way of embarrassing her he obviously thought she’d set out to do to him?

Unbelievably needing to clear her throat once again, she did then glanced back at those eyes that seemed to get darker each time he addressed her. “Actually, I didn’t study it for as long as you seem to think.” She was only grateful that he didn’t know her well enough or he would see right through her.

She was feeling a little perturbed about how the mixture of playfulness and intensity in his eyes practically burned a hole through her now. He’d made it categorically clear earlier that he had no interest in her, so she crossed her arms in front of her. Embarrassing her was obviously the goal here. “Haven’t you ever studied other player’s games? Maybe you’re not aware, but it’s pretty much a requirement at this level—”

“As opposed to my level?” He snapped back. The playfulness in his eyes was gone, the intensity now prevailing.

“That’s not what I—”

“Let me tell you something, Charlee.” She didn’t think it was possible, but he moved even closer, forcing her to uncross her arms or feel his body heat against them. “I may be a casual player for the most part, but I am familiar with classical chess study.” His eyes were darker now than they’d been that entire time.

“I didn’t say you weren’t. It’s just that . . .” She stopped when he very noticeably moved his eyes down from hers and stopped at her lips then he licked his own again, slowly.

He moved in so close she could feel the warmth of his breath against her own mouth. Feeling his mouth so close to hers she could almost taste it, was so intoxicating she froze in place, staring at his lips. He got so close her heart nearly gave out on her, because there was no doubt what he was about to do next. God! Even knowing with every fiber of her being that she shouldn’t, that this could only end in heartache if she went there with him, she knew she wouldn’t stop him. She wanted him to—so bad. Then he stopped suddenly and smirked. “Don’t worry about it. I know exactly what you meant.”

With that, he pulled back and walked away, leaving her standing there, feeling flushed, breathless and completely mortified. She watched as he joined the others standing around watching the game between Bruno and Dempsey. He glanced back at her where she still stood frozen in place, trying desperately to compose herself, but he didn’t smile anymore. He didn’t even give her that stupid smug smirk she expected that said he knew just how willing and eager she was to have his lips on hers.

The tears stung her eyes now that she realized exactly what he’d done and why. She managed to finally move. Grabbing her bag and light jacket from where she’d been sitting, she glanced at the board on the table where Hector’s king still stood in checkmate. With the tears beginning to blur her vision, she rushed past Walter toward the door. “Where you going?” he asked.

She didn’t bother responding but couldn’t fight the urge to glance in Hector’s direction one last time. He was still staring at her but not hard like he had earlier. It was an almost remorseful stare, sort of how she’d felt when she realized how personally he’d taken her setting him up.

Walking even faster now because she felt like a complete idiot, Charlee hurried to the door. He may’ve walked right into her plan, but her victory had been short-lived. He’d managed to do to her in a matter of seconds what had taken her hours and hours—days of studying his game. And as far as she was concerned, he’d won hands down. Because while he probably thought her a pretentious bitch now, she’d never felt so captivated with anyone in her life.

***

“All I’m saying is if you’re this upset about it,” Drew paused, tilting her head and pouted at Charlee, “and clearly you are, there has to be more to this.”

Charlee shook her head, blowing her nose then dabbing the corner of her eyes with another tissue.

“Charlotte?”

Charlee glanced at her friend. She knew Drew only called her that when she was being very serious, even though right now all it made her think of was how it felt to hear Hector call her that.

She glanced down, staring at her hands knowing exactly what Drew was thinking. “No, Drew, it’s not about that. It’s been over a year and I’m over it. Besides that was totally different. I really don’t think Hector is like that.”

“I don’t either,” Drew said softly. “Most people aren’t, sweetie, but I get the feeling you don’t truly believe that yet.” Drew reached out and squeezed Charlee’s hand softly. “What Hector did was probably just out of pride. You got one up on him, and he reacted, but I’m telling you, Charlee, I have a sixth sense about these things. There’s something more going on here not just on your side but his as well. I haven’t seen you this upset about anything since . . .”