“I’m just a man, Goldilocks. Just because I’ve sworn off relationships doesn’t mean I don’t react to having a sexy woman in my house.”
Well. That was a splash of cold reality on the heat his words had caused. He wanted to fuck me, but he didn’t want to be with me otherwise.
I wasn’t completely let down. He was affected by me, and I’d soak that up while I could.
His eyes were a warm brown, always putting me at ease, but in their depths, the intensity simmered. Was I the only one to see it? Why did he hide the real him? “Were those bookshelves in your bedroom originally in the dining room?”
He worked his jaw, but he didn’t pull out of my reach. “Yes.”
“Why did you move them?”
He propped his hands on the tabletop on either side of me.
I traced my fingers along his forehead and down the sides of his face. So many facets to this man and I found each one fascinating.
“After high school, I didn’t go to college. I didn’t need to. I had a job waiting for me, so I just took classes that would helpme with my position at the distillery. I didn’t even build or move out right away.”
“There’s nothing wrong with that.”
His laugh was cynical. “Women don’t really find that attractive.” He nodded toward my empty plate. “Mama made those.”
“They were really good.”
“And she gave me the meatball dish. If you check the freezer, you’ll find a lot more meals. Ready to heat.”
“I wish my freezer was full of your mama’s food.”
He shook his head. “I hardly have to cook, Ruby. I got my job—both of them—because of my last name. I don’t have a degree, and my mom still cooks for me. If a woman gets beyond that, it’s my gaming. Mytoys.”
“They’re not toys.” At his militant look, I shrugged. “I guess they are. But, Tenor, you work hard. You work all the time. Your mom loves to spoil you. If she didn’t give you food, would you stomp around and complain?”
“I know how to feed myself.”
I poked him in the shoulder. “That’s the difference.” I flung my hand toward the bedroom. “Those figures are pure art. I don’t know much about tabletop gaming, but does it hurt anyone? Is it inherently selfish when you play? No. I bet it’s not. My stepdad used to leave Mom for weeks at a time to go on snowmobile trips. He did it one winter when she broke her ankle and was hobbling around on crutches. He went gambling in Vegas when I was home with mono and Mom couldn’t find a sitter. Context is everything, Warhammer.”
His forehead crinkled. “Did you just call me?—”
“Yes, and I’m going to keep doing it. You work hard. Everyone knows it. So you have a hobby some people don’t understand? Fuck ’em.” I ran a finger down his chest. “Next week, when I stay here, we’re going on a day date when it won’tbe some big reveal. Then you’re going to show me how you paint those Orks.”
“Space marines.” His gaze skated away. “I have a new unit to paint.”
“I know of books with naughty space marines. I’ll buy one to read while you paint them.”
His eyes lifted to mine. Disbelief lit their depths. “You’re really something, you know that?”
He made me feel like it. “When we go to Crock’s wedding, we’re going to show up as a united front. They’re going to be so jealous about how comfortable we are with each other.” The idea was more appealing as I thought about it. I hadn’t noticed how anxious I’d been around Brock, just waiting for a comment about something he didn’t find attractive. One weekend at a time, Tenor was wiping away that toxic residue.
He was stroking my lower lip again. Then he withdrew his hand and dropped it to his side. He took a deliberate step back and cool air flooded between us. It was a good thing my body wasn’t steaming. “Next weekend, we’ll do what we enjoy together. No judgment.”
So he wasn’t going to kiss me again, but a weekend of hanging out wasn’t a bad consolation prize. “That sounds just right.”
“I’m glad you think so, Goldilocks. But remember... you’d better be wearing another skirt Saturday night.”
CHAPTER NINE
Tenor
“I made extra.” Mama gestured to the two trays stacked on her countertop while she rinsed dishes at the sink. “Wynter said Ruby likes pasta dishes, so there’s a taco spaghetti bake and chicken linguini. That one was Cruz’s favorite.”
