“I’ll take that.” He grinned. “So, do you read Maria a story every night before bed?”
She slowly sipped her coffee. “Vera reads to her when she can in between her late-night business calls to Europe and Asia, but most nights, I read to her.” She gave him a sheepish look. “Maria claims my voice is soothing.”
“I can see that.” Lennox gazed at her over the rim of his coffee mug. “I know I find your voice soothing.”
“Speaking of reading…” Blushing, Talia made a show of looking at her phone and the time displayed there. “I should head up to the main house soon. I wouldn’t want Maria to have to wait.”
“Yeah, of course.” Lennox quickly finished the rest of his coffee before setting the mug on the island and falling into step beside her as she slowly led the way to the door. “I’d love to go out again. Maybe dinner and a movie Friday night?”
That sounded like the perfect second date.
“I’ll check with Vera to see if she needs me, but if not, then I’d love to,” she said, turning to face him when they got to the door.
As they stood there gazing at each other, Talia waited for that awkward moment that usually happened at the end of the night after a first date—you know, to kiss or not to kiss?—but as Lennox stepped a little closer, she decided that it wasn’t awkward at all.
As she leaned forward to kiss him, he placed one hand on her hip, sliding his free hand into her long hair, and it felt like the most natural thing in the world. When his mouth came down on hers, and his tongue began to tease hers, she couldn’t hold back the small moan that slipped out if she wanted to. It wasn’t her fault that he tasted so good. That perfect blend of coffee and that masculine flavor that seemed to be uniquely him.
She wasn’t sure when it happened, but the next thing she knew, she’d draped her arms around his neck, using her hold to drag herself up on tippy toes as if she intended to climb him like a jungle gym. That would probably work. He was very tall.
Lennox was the one who stepped away first—much to Talia’s disappointment—letting her slide down his body until her feet were back firmly on the floor and regarding her with a smoldering look.
“While I definitely enjoy kissing you, I think we need to stop or there’s no way you’re going to make it up to the house in time to read Maria that book,” he said, his voice a little husky.
Crap, she’d forgotten all about reading a bedtime story to Maria. But in her defense, she never remembered being kissed like that. So maybe her momentary bout of forgetfulness could be overlooked.
They lightly kissed a few more times before Lennox finally moved back and opened the door.
“I’ll call tomorrow and let you know if Friday night works,” Talia said as she walked with him to his truck. “Thanks again for dinner…and for putting up with my commitment issues.”
Lennox didn’t say anything but simply kissed her again before climbing into his pickup. As he drove away, Talia hoped once again that she wasn’t setting herself up for heartache. Because after one date with the guy, she was already hooked.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Talia read a few more sentences about Lucy’s adventures stepping through the wardrobe, only stopping when she looked over and saw that Maria’s eyes had drooped completely closed and the girl was breathing slow and steady. Putting a bookmark between the pages to hold her place, Talia quietly placed the book on the nightstand, pushing it far enough back so that Maria wouldn’t knock it off in the morning when she jumped out of bed without looking, as she so frequently did. Most people would probably considerThe Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobea little advanced for someone Maria’s age, but she truly was mature beyond her age, and seemed to be having no problem comprehending the deeper tones of the story.
With a smile, Talia carefully pulled the blanket a little higher over Maria’s small shoulder. Her eyes fluttered open a little.
“Did you have a good date with Lennox?” Maria asked, the words soft and sleepy as she fought to keep her eyes open.
Talia lifted a brow. “And how did you know I was on a date with Lennox?”
“I knew you were up to something good when Mommy said you’d be late coming in to read to me tonight,” Maria informed her, waking up a little as she got into her story. “And then Tomsent me a text to let me know that you’d come through the gate with a guy with short dark hair. I figured it must be Lennox.”
“You get text notifications from one of the guards at the gate when people come through?” Talia asked in surprise.
“I get texts fromallthe guards at the gate,” Maria said, as if it should have been obvious. “At first I only asked them to let me know when the pizza delivery guy was on the way up because I liked to be at the table and get the first slice. Then I added the grocery delivery people because Sofia takes all the candy and hides it in her room, which I’m not allowed into. I go in anyway, but Sofia keeps all the good stuff locked up. Lately, since all those strange people have started showing up, I have the guards text me when anyone arrives. Just to be on the safe side.”
Talia sat her on the side of the bed, flabbergasted. For about the hundredth time, she wondered if Maria was the age she claimed.
“I’m still waiting for an answer to my question,” Maria said, blankets tucked up to her chin, but her not so-sleepy-eyes continuing to regard Talia suspiciously. “How was your date with Lennox?”
Laughing despite herself, Talia let out a sigh. “Okay…yes…I went on a date with him. He took me out to dinner and then we came back here to have coffee. And yes, it was wonderful. I had a lot of fun.”
Maria beamed, her smile lighting up the room. “Does that mean the two of you will be getting married soon?”
Just when Talia thought there was nothing left to baffle her with, Maria found it.
“No, we won’t be getting married anytime soon.”
