Kenzie didn’t know why Evan seemed so determined to get out of the bedroom, but she thought it the smart move to make. Everything she learned about him made her like him more. Unless… Was he putting on a show for her? Trying to act all sensitive and nice when in reality he just wanted sex?
But then, why waste a moment in the bedroom? His eyes had seemed to darken, his attraction obvious. And he liked her, or at least he seemed to. So why rush her away from his bedroom? She studied him, wondering at his strategy.
They sat again at his dining table, where his sundae had melted, but it didn’t slow him down.
She picked at her treat, a little full of chocolate mint. That and her nerves made it difficult to eat when she really wanted to kiss Evan again. Every time she remembered that kiss, she felt tingly. Then she’d tell herself she’d exaggerated how great it had been.
So great she’d wanted to have sex with him in her kitchen, where anyone could have seen them. God, when had she ever felt that kind of passion? The forget-the-world-exists kind?
“You’re looking at me strangely,” he said into the silence. “Should I be scared?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know. Are you lying to me about anything?”
He stilled, lowered his spoon, and looked her dead in the eye. “No. I’m not big on lies. The truth always comes out, and then it’s a big old shit sandwich—excuse the expression. Why would you think I’m lying?”
She waved a hand around. “Let’s get real. You’re super cute. You have a great house, a great job, and you apparently don’t live with your mother.”
He sat back, looking pleased. “Only super cute? How about I look like an Adonis?”
Kenzie rolled her eyes. “Okay, so there is a little bit of ego there.”
He snorted.
“But nothing any number of women wouldn’t jump all over. So why me?”
“Huh?”
Angry that she had to explain herself, she stood and crossed to him, looking down into his wide gray eyes. “Look, I’m attracted. I’m also still dealing with the fact that a man I loved left me behind. I have a teenage delinquent brother I’m raising. A money pit of a house falling apart piece by piece that I’m solely responsible for as well as trying to run a business to pay for a ton of different expenses.
“I’m not rich. I’m not stacked to here.” She held out her hand far from her chest. “I can’t drop everything to fawn over you whenever you want. And I’m not easy. There’s no way sex with me wouldn’t be complicated and probably messy.” She was breathing hard, her adrenaline raised, prepared for a confrontation.
She wasn’t prepared when he scooted back and yanked her down onto his lap. She squirmed until he had her straddling his thighs then stared at him in shock. Man, Evan couldmove.
“First of all, don’t panic. I just wanted us to be at eye level for this conversation. You can leave at any time.” He held up his hands to show her he meant business. “Second, you’re fucking insane if you think you’re not worth more than uncomplicated sex. When I look at you, I have a hard time catching my breath. I think you’re perfect, in a slightly neurotic kind of way.”
She frowned. “What does that mean?”
“I want to be with you, in any way you’ll have me. I have my own share of baggage, from dealing with a dead fiancée to a mother who calls me ‘clingy.’” His self-deprecating laugh set the butterflies in her belly to fluttering. “I think you’re beautiful, even with a hint of whipped cream on your lip.”
Before she could wipe it off, he grabbed her hand to stop her. Then he slowly neared and kissed the corner of her mouth. Her breath came hard and fast, and her body locked up tight.
“There, all gone.” His voice deepened. “I want nothing more than to see you smile, and I’d have cheated if we hadn’t won at bowling. Anything to get you to spend time with me. But today has been really hard.”
“Oh?” She stared at his face, mesmerized by the need in his eyes.
“Because every time I’m near you, I want you. And I don’t want you to think I’m just after sex. I’m not, but…” He took her hand and put it over his heart. “You feel this? My heart is pounding like crazy. I’m tense all over.” He blew out a soft breath, and a hint of mint and chocolate washed over her. “I mean,all over.”
She couldn’t help looking down, between them, to see the bulge in his jeans.Oh, wow.
“I understand taking time to build a relationship. And I like to think I’m a gentleman.” He swallowed. “But I’m also a guy, and knowing how you taste, what you feel like in my arms, has stayed with me.”
Being desired was its own kind of aphrodisiac. Evan’s honest attraction compounded the effect of truth in his words.
“I’m not playing you, Kenzie. I want you, but I want all of you.”
“There’s a lot of me to take.” She meant her brother, her emotional turmoil, her responsibilities.
Evan’s wicked grin made her blush. “Not more than I can handle.” He stared at her chest and down her belly. “Baby, I could deal with every luscious inch of you right now.” He closed his eyes and opened them again. “But I won’t. I want to see you again. As in, date you. I feel something special with you, and I want to see where it goes. But that can only happen if you feel it too.”
