As much as he wanted to make love to her, she was skittish. She would feel better if she set the pace. Or so he kept telling himself so he wouldn’t ruin the day.
Having her all to himself was a treat. He knew she came with a ton of responsibilities; he also thought she deserved some pampering. When was the last time Kenzie had someone take care of her problems for her?
He spotted the hidden bouquet of flowers he intended to give her in addition to a small box of fine chocolates, confident she’d like them. And he had a brand-new box of condoms in his bedside table, top drawer.That I’m not going to use today, not even if she begs. Well, maybe then…
Despite his desire to keep things light between them, he’d dressed to impress in a long-sleeved button-down shirt he’d left untucked along with jeans. Seattle’s weather veered from hot to cold with the passing of clouds. A cool front, and the fact he looked good in blue, had settled him on his choice of wardrobe.
He’d rolled each sleeve precisely, ending at mid-forearm. He hadn’t bothered with socks or shoes, and he’d done his best not to be too heavy-handed with the cologne he knew she liked.
Damn, he was half hard thinking about her, so he calmed himself by straightening the house for the fifth time that hour. He adjusted the volume of classic rock in the living room, giving the house some much-needed noise.
Everything had to be just right for Kenzie. Would she like their date? The house? Him?
The doorbell rang, and he started then cursed himself for acting like an idiot and went to let her in.
“Hi.” She stood in the doorway looking sweet, nervous, and sexy as hell in a pair of jeans and a blue short-sleeved sweater.
Great. They were twins.
He stepped back, hoping he appeared calmer than he was. “I can’t wait for my dessert.”
“Don’t be a sore winner.” She hefted two bags that he quickly took from her.
“Hey, I’m willing to share.”
“You’re darned right you will. I brought enough for two people.”
“Then what are you having?”
She laughed and followed him inside. Kenzie whistled. “Man, and I thought the location was nice. This place is amazing.”
A modern-style townhome in Phinney Ridge, his house was close enough to his old workplace and to Vets on the Go! that he had no intention of moving. Evan liked the neighborhood too. His rent wasn’t cheap, but he didn’t worry about leaving his car in the secured garage out back.
“Oh, I love your kitchen.” She slid her hand along the marble countertop.
He placed the bags on the counter and watched her take things out. Tubs of mint-chocolate-chip, vanilla, and chocolate ice cream, hot fudge, marshmallow topping, and, of course, maraschino cherries.
She glanced over the kitchen counter to the dining area, set with two crystal candle holders and two large porcelain bowls for ice cream. “Fancy.”
He flushed. “They’re my good stuff. Leftovers from a past…ah, from a long time ago.” Rita had been picky about what she ate off of, though he’d never cared. “I’m sure I have some paper bowls somewhere if you’d rather use them.”
“No, no. I’ll try to adjust to bowls that aren’t chipped.”
“Ha ha.”
She gifted him with a grin. “The sad thing is you think I’m joking.”
He leaned against the counter and watched her work, wishing the kitchen were smaller so he’d have an excuse to brush against her as she moved. In the background, Joe Cocker’s gritty voice crooned.
“You look a little nervous,” he said to needle her, hoping he wasn’t the only one feeling as if ready to leap out of his skin. This was the first time, since that devastating kiss, that they’d been alone together.
She blushed. “Maybe if you weren’t looking at me like that, I’d be better.”
Hell. Busted. “How am I looking at you?”
* * *
Like you want to eat me?“Never mind.”
