‘It’s too much.’
He shook his head emphatically. ‘No, definitely not.’
I tugged the bodice up higher, worried my breasts were about to make a break for it.
‘Give me five minutes,’ I told him.
His hand shot out and lightly gripped my wrist.
‘Please don’t change,’ he said softly. ‘You look beautiful.’
Warmth flooded through me at his touch, his words. I’d never been looked at the way he was looking at me. Never. It gave me confidence, like I was invincible. It didn’t matter what anyone else thought; I only cared whathethought. And he was looking at me like I was everything. He looked pretty damn hot himself, in a light-blue shirt and black pants. His hair was styled and he smelled like cologne. A sexy, intriguing cologne that made me want to nibble his neck.
‘OK,’ I said, taking a step to the side. ‘Come in. I’ll just grab my jacket.’
Ray’s eyebrows shot up when I walked into the lounge to where my jacket was draped over the back of the couch and picked it up.
‘Shut up,’ I said.
‘I didn’t say anything.’
‘Good. Don’t. Your dinner is on a plate in the oven keeping warm. Make sure you turn the oven off when you take it out. You can manage that, can’t you?’
‘I guess we’ll find out.’
‘Evening, Ray,’ Jack said, hovering in the doorway.
‘Jack.’
Jack nodded towards the TV. ‘Watching the game?’
‘No.’
‘Oh.’
‘Of course I’m watching the game. It’s on, isn’t it? That was a stupid question.’
‘Ignore him,’ I instructed Jack as I shrugged my black leather jacket on. ‘I do.’
‘Wait.’ Ray shuffled his butt cheeks towards the front of his armchair and looked at us earnestly. ‘What exactly are your intentions, Jack?’
‘Sorry?’
‘With Taylor. As her elderly male relative, it’s my duty to look out for her, so what are your intentions?’
‘Oh?’ Jack looked at me. I stared back at him, knowing Icouldput him out of his misery, but enjoying the look of panic that had come over his face. It was my turn to seehimput on the spot and find out how muchheliked it.
‘Ah. OK.’ He shifted on the spot nervously. ‘Um, I haven’t really…’ he said. ‘I mean, I’m not sure what…’
Ray cackled with laughter. ‘Your face,’ he said.
Jack’s eyes narrowed. ‘You mean?’
‘He’s having you on,’ I said. ‘I’m surprised you fell for that, honestly.’
‘Yes, I’m having you on,’ Ray agreed, still barking out the occasional wheeze of laughter, like an aging, emphysemic Labrador. ‘I couldn’t care less what your intentions are. Take her off our hands, please.’
‘Love you too, Ray,’ I called out over my shoulder sarcastically, as I pushed Jack towards the door. ‘Don’t wait up.’
