“Good. Because this is just the beginning.”
“Okay.” She grew quiet. “I feel like this changes things between us.”
“It does.” He deliberately grew serious. “Now that you’ve seen me naked, you have to marry me. It’s the law.”
She rolled her eyes. “Please.”
“That or you have to pay me for my skills. That’ll be a billion dollars for services rendered. What can I say? I was one of our firm’s top accountants.” Good. He’d relaxed her with humor. Meanwhile, he felt as tense as a bow, praying he wouldn’t snap and say the wrong thing.God, Evan. You’re better than this! Stop being such a spaz.
“I’ll bet.” She shook her head, flouncing her hair. “Evan, you were amazing. I want to be with you again.”
He could feel abutcoming and stopped it before she could speak. “Me too. But we should be careful, right? Take our time getting to know each other.”
She nodded but gave him a closer look. “We’re dating now.”
“I’d say so.” He stretched, pleased that she followed the constriction of muscle in his arms and chest.
“So it’s just you and me. I mean, we had sex without protection. I won’t do that if you’re going to be with someone else.”
“Fine. I’ll cancel my two o’clock tomorrow.” When she didn’t laugh, he tilted her chin up to see her eyes. “Hey, I’m joking. Kenzie, I take fidelity to heart.”You’re it for me. Nope. That’s too soon.“When I’m with someone, I’m only with her. No one else. That’s how I hope you feel too. You and I are exclusive, right?”
“Exactly.” She sighed. “It’s just… It’s been a while for me. And before Bryce, there weren’t that many guys, like I told you. I’m not good at relationships.”
“I think you’re just fine. You’ve been open and honest with me, and that’s exactly the way I try to be when I’m dating.” He scratched his head. “Though it’s been a while, so I could be rusty.”
“Not rusty at all.” She turned her head to kiss his palm. “Evan, you made me so happy tonight.”
“Back at ya, hot stuff. I swear, it’s a miracle my legs work.”
“Ha.” She turned red, as she always did.
“You know we have to do this again. Next time, you’re in charge.”
“I don’t know. You did pretty good tonight.” She crossed her eyes. “I can’t see straight.”
“Funny girl.” He kissed her and walked her downstairs, arm in arm. They gathered her things then went out to her car. Once she’d buckled herself in, he leaned through the window and kissed her. “Man. When will I see you again?”
“Um, how about this weekend?”
“I know you need some work done at the house. How about I pop by to fix a few things? With Daniel probably at home, it won’t be a date or anything. But we’re friends. Maybe you, me, and Daniel could bowl again or hang out. I have to tell you I had a blast at bowling night. And I’d love a chance to beat your brother.”
She studied him, for what he didn’t know. But then she nodded. “That would be nice. I just… I don’t want Daniel to get too attached to you too fast in case we—” She cut herself off.
It hurt, especially after their incredible coming together, but he understood. He cupped her cheek. “Sweetheart, you set the pace with us, okay? I’m happy to be ‘friend Evan’ for as long as it takes.”
“Thanks, Evan.” She seemed torn, and he didn’t want her leaving unhappy.
“Just remember, we’re only dating each other. And hey, if I’m good on Saturday, maybe you can come over again on Sunday and let me eat you up all over again.” He leered at her.
She flushed. “Stop. You’re giving me tingles. One more orgasm and I’ll have a heart attack.”
He laughed. “Bye, Kenzie. Go home and dream of me.”
Because he’d be dreaming about her and the future he only hoped they might one day get to…if she’d let him into her life.
Chapter 15
Evan had a tough time concentrating on his mother as they sat at her favorite place to eat breakfast in Ballard, the Señor Moose Diner, waiting for Jerome to show. Distracted by memories of Kenzie, he nodded and smiled absently at her chitchat about Reid and Naomi until she smacked him with a menu.
