“Yeah.”
“Well, we can’t have that.” He paused, enjoying the flirtatious banter they had going. Enjoying it a little too much.
“I’d prefer not to.” She folded her arms, which in turn, pressed against her breasts. It was a true test of gentlemanly manners not to look. He half wondered if she’d done it on purpose.
“So, you’ll come?”
The corner of her mouth curved into a sexy smile. “Yeah, Jonah.” She paused and lowered her voice. “I’llcome.”
He nodded, resisting the urge to adjust himself. “Goodnight, Rox.” He purposefully used her nickname as he turned. He listened for her departing steps, but the street remained silent. He got into his truck, not daring another glimpse her way. She was too beautiful for her own good and his own self-control.
Playing with fire.
He rolled down his window and started his truck. He’d just grabbed the gearshift when her silhouetted figure appeared in his window. His truck was high, and when he glanced over, they were at eye level.
It was impossible to miss the heat in her eyes. It probably mirrored his own. He would’ve given just about anything to know what she was thinking. Asking her was off the table. Instead, he was left giving his best shot at a staring contest. Not a bad deal for him. He was the lucky bastard who got to stare into her blue eyes. He lifted a brow, and his lips followed.
“Been a long time since I’ve been stared down.”
She smiled. “Do I make you nervous?”
“Are you trying to?” He countered.
“Nope. Just trying to figure you out, is all.”
“We can save ourselves from chronic dry eye if you just ask me what you wanna know.”
She leaned forward, resting her arms on the sill of his window. “I have an idea. How about I come over at twelve? You can do the repairs. And then,” she paused, “we can gooutto dinner.”
“That sounds like a date.”
“Because it is,” she whispered.
Fuck!The idea of taking her out on a date had played over in his mind countless times. But that’s where those thoughts would have to stay. Getting involved with her wasn’t an option. It would never work. Jonah’s life wouldn’t allow it.
“I work with Ethan.”
She smirked. “Does your contract with him forbid you from having dinner with me?”
“He’s also my friend.”
She squinted with amusement. “These sound like excuses.”
They were. And apparently, not good ones. He ground his teeth and felt a spike of pain in his gums. How the hell was he supposed to respond?
“I can’t.”
She flattened her lips. Her eyes lost a bit of their earlier humor, but she was doing her best to mask it. He heard a deep intake of breath before she shrugged. He expected her to back away, but he was discovering Roxanne did the polar opposite of what he expected. She leaned closer.
“If you don’t want to have dinner with me, Jonah, then just say it.”
Two words. It was all he could muster. “I can’t.”
She snorted, and he caught the full effect of her disappointment. She backed away, about to let go of his door when he reached out, lightly grasping her wrist. She quickly glanced down and then lifted her eyes to meet his stare.
“Said, I can’t.” His voice was raw and graveled. “Never said I don’t want to.”
Her eyes widened, and for the first time tonight, he’d surprised her. From her expression, she’d doubted his interest. Now, he laid it out, though it changed nothing. He wanted her, but still he couldn’t have her.
