Chapter 176

About twenty minutes later, she rose from the table, Stoner behind her, holding out her chair. She smiled up at him Michelle n as she swallowed a sigh. Because as much as she wished—longed for—her heart to race, it just went about its business behind her rib cage. Just pumping blood as if this was any old, ordinary day.

Because something was missing. No, not a vague “something.” Desire. Need. That belly-twisting, aching hunger that usually had her desperate to climb a guy like a rope ladder in a long-ago gym class. Not like when…

Stop. Nope. Not going there. Picking up her purse, she stepped away from the table and turned up the wattage on her smile. And, yes, she was overcompensating.

“Thank you for a wonderful Michelle ning, Stoner. I really enjoyed myself.”

“So did I.” He settled a hand low on her back as they walked toward the door of the private room. Then he paused, cupping her elbow, and turned her to face him.

Tipping back her head, she looked u