But now…they were so alone. Completely, arousingly alone. Her heart pounded like crazy. She’d seriously underestimated the effect that would have on her.
He took a breath. “I swear I didn’t ask you up here to seduce you.”
“I’m sure you didn’t.”
“Why are you sure?”
“That’s not you, amigo.” She swallowed, tried to marshal her thoughts. “You’ve been super respectful. Ambivalent, too.”
“Because I am.”
“For the record, I didn’t come up here with ulterior motives.”
“But here we are.” His warm gaze searched hers. “We should probably have a conversation about it.”
“We should. Definitely.” A discussion? That option hadn’t crossed her mind.
“But first I need to cool down. And I’d like to show you these guys in action.”
“I’d like that, too.” She barely had enough breath to speak. He needed to cool down after one hug? Wow.
“Then here goes.” He walked over to a control box on the wall to the left of the platform.
Drawing in air, she released it slowly. They’d acknowledged what had been simmering between them for months. Was she ready to go forward?
Cole had switched his attention to his project, giving her a moment to calm down, too. Or she could spend the time imagining the wonders hidden beneath his loose-fitting clothes. She chose Option B.
How would it feel being held by arms strong enough to carry a stack of planks from his truck to the loft? To have his capable hands stroke her in intimate places? To touch his broad chest, to cup glutes made firm by all those trips up and down the stairs, to cradle?—
“I timed their motions to a recording from a jug band I played with a few years ago.”
“A jug band? You were in a jug band?” The question came out as a high-pitched squeak.
He turned to face her, his gray eyes sparkling with amusement. “That surprises you?”
“Not really. I mean… I shouldn’t be. You play a mean fiddle.” Get it together, girlfriend.
“Thanks.” He accepted the compliment easily without a trace of arrogance.
Well, he should be proud of his abilities. After all, excellence was his trademark…. That realization inspired another wave of lust.
Obviously he was aware. His gray eyes momentarily darkened. With an almost imperceptible shake of his head, he turned back toward the trio of beavers. “The circular platform they’re on is designed to rotate so the whole display moves outside to sit above the barn doors.”
“Wow. That’s cool.”
“It is if it works. Haven’t tested it yet.”
“Why not?” She would by damn pay attention to what he’d created. He’d honored her by letting her see it before anyone else.
“I’d have to do it at night to preserve the surprise and in this weather it might get stuck.”
“I guess it could. So you’ll only rotate it outside during the day in the winter?”
“I’ll have to see how it goes, weather-wise. It’s designed to look good at night, too. Here’s phase one, the static display.” He flicked a switch and several small lanterns glowed on the knotty pine wall of the rustic country bandstand. Footlights illuminated the performers.
She sighed with pleasure. “That’s beautiful.”
“I wanted it to be interesting whether they’re playing or not.” He studied his little critters with obvious affection. “On a warm summer evening, they can be out there looking cute even when they’re not doing anything.”
