He’d actually kissed her.It hadn’t been a dream at all.
Then he’d talked about going on a date.Her nerves had warned her away at the time, even though she’d agreed to it.Dates implied more dates, and that implied a relationship, which in turn implied feelings and a future.
None of those things were on her agenda right now, and certainly not with a man who was leaving town soon.
Once again, she told herself to go inside and leave Nick in peace.
Adele’s words echoed in her memory.‘If you’re still questioning it, maybe you’re not ready.’
Another thought overrode Adele’s words of caution.
That kiss…
It was likely the recollection of that kiss that compelled Claire’s feet to turn in to the back yard.
She would just take a quick peek at the mystery project, nothing else.
Or so she told herself.
Nick and his decking crew were already hard at work.Nick stood at the far end of the large structure with one of the women on his team.They appeared to be going over measurements.When Claire stuck her head around the corner, he looked up and his face brightened.He said something to his colleague and walked over.
“Excuse me, miss.This is a forbidden zone.I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
Dressed in jeans, a plaid shirt and his hard hat, he was just about the hottest thing she’d ever laid eyes on.Something about the virile picture dug into her psyche and coaxed out the flirt in her.When she spoke, a sultry tone emerged out of nowhere.“Yes, Mr.Zorn.I won’t do it again, Mr.Zorn.”
He narrowed his eyes in apparent appreciation.“Good.Oh, and good morning, by the way.”
“Good morning.Did you have a relaxing day yesterday?”
“Yeah.You?”
Considering she’d spent much of it thinking of him, it hadn’t exactly been relaxing, but she’d eased any tension with her vibrator.“I can’t complain.”
“So,” said Nick, eyeing her T-shirt.“What’s the slogan today?”
She stretched out her shirt so he could see the small font over her breast.“‘Inspire’.”
His gaze slowly climbed back up.“I’m inspired.”
“Glad to hear it.”She smiled.“Look, I won’t get in your way.I just wanted to make sure everything was okay…with your mystery project.”
“Is that so?”
She glanced at the odd structure, but her eyes returned to him, as if they couldn’t bear to look at anything else.“Yup.How’s it going?”
“We’re ahead of schedule, actually.”
“Great!”Time to leave before you embarrass yourself further.
“Claire, how would you feel about having dinner with me tomorrow night?”
A tickle of excitement started at the base of her spine.“Ah.The date you mentioned.”
Nick nodded.“If it’s too soon—”
“It’s not too soon.I’d love to.”She liked spending time with Nick, and if the date happened to end in her bed, even better.
As long as they maintained certain boundaries.
