“A good man,” she clarified.
They said a good man was hard to find. And she truly believed with her whole heart that he was exactly that and then some. A damn unicorn when it came to the male species.
And she was rather curious about how much magic he might have in that horn of his.
Chapter eleven
A delicious dinner and easy conversation was exactly what Sabrina needed. She felt so at ease in Jayson’s company and quickly revised her initial impression that he was a grumpy old man. He was thoroughly entertaining and made her laugh harder than she’d laughed in a very long time.
They shared a bowl of butter pecan ice cream for dessert, both their favorite, and Sabrina insisted on washing the dishes as he dried and put them away. It all felt extremely domestic. Like something they might do together on a normal night. And, God, she craved that sweet domestic bliss with him.
After cleaning up the kitchen, they moved to the couch, leisurely finishing the bottle of wine. Her earlier nerves had settled and she felt completely relaxed in his presence. Strange for her, but not unwelcome.
She’d never been able to fully be herself around a man, always keeping a mask in place. Always putting on a bit of a show. Possessing some underlying need for them to think her makeup was perfect, her clothes fashionable, her personality just theright combination of dazzling and easygoing. That she was also a capable, intelligent woman with an important job.
But it wasn’t like that with Jayson. Her hair was pulled back in a low bun, she wore a comfy, old sweatshirt with plaid pajama pants, and most of her makeup had worn away. And he still looked at her like she was pretty. Like she was a woman he wanted to get to know better.
Yeah, no doubt about it, he was a good man.
The truth was she’d never been very good at dating, and now that she was getting older, it was scary to think she might spend the rest of her life alone. But Jayson gave her a thread of hope. Maybe there was more happening between them than just a one-night stand. That was certainly coming, if she chose to follow through. Their chemistry was off-the-charts, every heated look, every lingering touch indicating they wanted each other.
Legs curled up beneath her, Sabrina twirled her empty wine glass between her fingers as she met Jayson’s incredible hazel eyes. Finally finding the nerve to ask what she’d been dying to know, she blurted, “Why hasn’t some woman snatched you up yet?” He quirked a brow, and her attention zeroed in on the scar between his eyebrows. “In case you aren’t aware, you’re a pretty incredible catch.”
He chuckled. “Thanks, but Emma was always my main focus. Dating just took a backseat. I figured I’d have plenty of time to meet someone later. Then the years seemed to start speeding up and later kept getting pushed back. When Emma moved out, I guess I got caught in an old man rut.”
“What is an old man rut?” she asked with a tinkle of laughter.
“It’s when you develop this weird schedule and everything starts happening earlier than it ever did before. I get up earlier, eat earlier, go to bed earlier… Half the time, I fall asleep in my chair duringJeopardy.” A faint blush tinted his cheeks and he gave her a sheepish look. “Pathetic, I know.”
He was freaking adorable. “I think it’s sweet. I’m forty-two, and I’ve fallen asleep on my couch while watching a movie more times than I can count.”
“Wait ‘til your forty-nine.”
He gave her a devastating smile and her chest hitched.My God, he’s sexy when he smiles.There was a ruggedness about him she found incredibly attractive. From his hooded hazel eyes to the dashing scar between his thick brows to the salt and pepper in his stubble. It was all too delicious. And the idea of falling asleep with him duringJeopardy? Wrapped in his strong arms, her face pressed to his chest? It sounded far too appealing.
Clearing her throat, she shifted, unable to ignore the wetness pooling between her thighs. “You just turned forty-nine, right?” She recalled seeing he had a January birthday in her file on him. He nodded. “Are you ready to turn half a century?” she teased.
“I just survived turning forty-nine, so let’s take it easy.”
She laughed, looking down at the empty glass she kept twirling, and secretly imagined herself still there to celebrate his fiftieth with him. “Happy belated birthday.”
“It kind of loses its fun with each passing year,” he admitted, looking down at his own glass.
“It doesn’t have to. Each new year is a gift and should be celebrated. That’s what my dad always says.”
“Well, it was a very lowkey day this year. Emma and the guys were with their significant others, and I didn’t want to bother anyone, so I had dinner with Ken Jennings.”
Her throat tightened with emotion. “Did you at least have some birthday cake?”
He shook his head. “No, but I had some whiskey.”
A frown pinched her brow and she pursed her lips. “Not the same.” Suddenly, she wanted to give him what he should’ve had on January twelfth. He was loyal with a good heart, and that seemed to translate into not saying no to people. Probably apeople-pleaser, by nature. Which meant he could be a target for others to take advantage of. It made her protective instincts flare to life.
Pushing to her feet, she took their glasses and headed for the kitchen. She placed them in the sink and turned to the pantry to search for ingredients. Jayson took care of everyone else, yet no one had bothered to do the same in return. Sadness and a twinge of anger sparked through her.
“What’re you doing?”
“I’m going to bake you a birthday cake,” she stated, on a mission. She began to search through the pantry shelves, and he moved up behind her.
