His casual attitude and statement that he wasn’t leaving made her feel better.Why?Because she was jealous of Keisha needing him?No, he was a friend.Nothing more.Then why did she want to continue talking to him here with no shirt on?
She took a step closer and knew immediately it was a mistake.He smelled far too good.Whatever body wash he used was lethal.Or maybe it was the athletic figure of the man in front of her.Light brown hair swirled around his pectorals and then arrowed down past his navel.She had to lift her eyes before he caught her staring.She’d seen him occasionally with no shirt at the beach, but it had been a few years ago.Working on the construction crew had helped him fill out quite nicely.
“Thanks for letting me tag along at the Deaf Night Out a few days ago.It was fun.”
“Glad you enjoyed it.Looked like you made new friends.”
“Quite a few new people and then some who I’d met before.Like Adam.”She hid the frown that threatened to pop on her face.“How close are you to him?I know you were roommates, but…”
A frown also appeared on his face.“We lived together because it was convenient and he’d gotten a rent-controlled apartment.Until he almost burned the place down and got us evicted.Did I ever thank you for helping me get an extra couple weeks to pack my stuff?”
She threw him an impish grin.“You did.As well as thanking me for moving in here.Are you still thankful, or have I driven you crazy with all my rules and cleaning schedules?”
“You cook me dinner almost every night.The least I can do is pick up after myself.” He glanced into the bathroom and grimaced, then rushed to pick up his used towel off the floor.After hanging it up, he stepped into the hall again.“Sorry.I’ll do better.”
His gleaming chest distracted her, so she tried for another topic.“Do you have any more games this weekend?”
He nodded.“Usually every Saturday throughout the end of September.Did you get your cheerleader outfit and pompoms yet?”
“Still looking for the right color.I don’t want to accidentally cheer for the wrong team.”
“As long as the right team is mine, we won’t have a problem.Are you coming to the game this weekend?”
“I’d like to.I was impressed with your baseball prowess at the last one.Are you going to hit another home run this time?”
He laughed.“I always plan to hit one, but whether that happens or not isn’t always up to me.Depends on who’s pitching, the way the sun is shining in my eyes, or the way the wind blows.”
“So many excuses.I thought it was merely skill.Guess I learn something new every day.”
What she really wanted to learn was what his skin felt like under her fingers.The temptation to touch him was getting stronger by the second.She gave in but only for a moment.Tapping him lightly on his chest, she said, “Go put some clothes on.This isn’t a strip club.”
His face lit up, and he wiggled his hips.“Do you think I’d be a good stripper?I’d be collecting those dollar bills all over the place.” He tugged the front of his shorts out a bit and mimicked tucking money inside.
She allowed herself the pleasure of his skin once again.This time she placed both hands on his chest and gave a tiny shove.“At least you won’t hear if anyone calls out anything obscene.”
As he walked toward his room, he swayed his hips back and forth, his arms in the air.She had to close her mouth before she drooled all over the floor.
Chapter Six
The sky was blue with only a handful of puffy white clouds floating by.A soft breeze caressed their faces, lifting tendrils of hair, then dropping them back.Evan wasn’t prone to poetry at all, but with the gorgeous woman at his side, life certainly felt a little nicer.
He held the door of the coffee shop open for Mercedes and followed her in.They’d taken the train into North Station and wanted to grab something to eat before they had a full day in Boston.She was an early riser and insisted they get going as soon as they were up.Too bad he’d been out late last night with his buddies from his baseball team celebrating their win.Mercedes had come to his game again, and he’d wanted more than anything to hang out with her after, but since he’d blown off his teammates previously, he didn’t think he could get away with it again.
His consolation was the jealousy his teammates had when they’d noticed the pretty lady cheering them on.He’d gotten quite a bit of ribbing for that but had taken it all in stride.The two of them were merely friends, which is what he’d told his teammates.He wasn’t sure they believed him.He wished it wasn’t true.Wished they were more.
She stopped in front of the pastry counter and peered inside the case.Her eyes went big, then she signed, “What looks good?”
She did, for sure.The late August weather was quite warm, though a cool breeze blew in from the harbor.She wore a pastel sundress that emphasized the delicious warmness of her skin and the golden highlights in her hair.The dress itself was fairly modest, but it was sleeveless and wrapped around her top and middle in a gentle hug.Then, it flared around her hips.The ones she complained were too big.Not in his mind.
Do they have a cinnamon roll?I love those, especially if they’re warm.
She tapped the glass and nodded.“I’ll get one, too.With a cup of tea.”
He scanned the menu board, searching for a drink other than coffee.I’ll get milk with it.He reached in his pocket for his wallet, but she waved him away.
“I’ve got it.”
Taking her hand, he stilled its descent into her purse.You got the tickets for the Trolley Tour.I should at least pay for a few cinnamon rolls.
