“No, I better not. Saturdays I usually plan my menu for next week at This and That and go grocery shopping.”
He groaned. “And then we have to get ready for our dates.”
“Don’t remind me.”
“But at least you’re in luck,” he said. “This should be your last one. I still haveanotherone after this.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Do you know where you’re going tomorrow night?”
I shrugged. “No idea.”
“Where do you suppose your mom and the rest of the ladies are finding these dates?” he asked. “I mean, no offense, but yours arereallybad.”
“I have no idea. Supposedly they’re what I believe I want. Like the first date, Roger, he was financially stable and practical…supposedly.”
Jacob grinned. “But repulsive.”
I slapped his arm. “Be nice.”
“You know I’m right.” He sobered. “I suppose I should tell you that while I’m not poor, the military didn’t exactly make me rich. But this job with Daniel and his family’s construction company pays decently.”
My breath caught. What was he trying to say? That he was interested in me but he was afraid he didn’t make enough money for me? I had no idea what to say to that.
I cleared my throat. “The second one was supposed to be what I was looking for because we shared the same interests.”
Jacob took a step forward until we were chest-to-chest. Running his hand lightly down my hair, he cupped my chin and tilted it up to him. “Unlike us. We learned tonight I’m kind of an adrenaline junky and you like things nice and safe…and close to the ground.”
I choked back the hysterical laughter that threatened to jump out of my throat. It was disturbing how easily Jacob could knock me off balance. I didn’t want to be attracted and drawn to him.
He was completely opposite me. Young, adventurous, secure with himself, in control. I was none of those things. I hadn’t felt young since Travis died. The most adventurous thing I did was throw in a crazy recipe every now and then at This and That. And feeling secure and in control? That all fled the night Travis died, too. I spent months afterward feeling like I would never be in control of anything again.
“And me?” Jacob whispered against my lips, “do I fit in with your idea of what you’re looking for in a man?”
Oh, God, yes!
But, thankfully, he didn’t let me answer. Because I wasn’t sure I could say those words aloud just yet. Instead, he captured my lips with an intensity that both thrilled and scared me. His tongue parted my lips, and I was thankful he’d tightened his hold on me, because I was sure my knees had just buckled.
I’m not sure how long we stayed like that…kissing, touching. All I know is that when he finally released me, I immediately felt empty. Lonely. And I wasn’t sure if it was because I missed the companionship that I used to have with someone else, or if it was because I honestly wanted Jacob. Wanted him both physically and emotionally in my life.
“You’re gonna have to look up eventually,” Jacob teased when I stood with my head buried in his chest.
“I know,” I mumbled. “I’m just too embarrassed.”
“Why?” He put his hand under my chin and lifted my head. “What’s wrong, Monica?”
I snorted and took a step backward, his hand falling from my face. “Everything. When you kiss me, it’s like…perfection.”
Jacob took a step toward me, grinning wolfishly. “I’ve been thinking about a lot of other things I’d like to do to you.”
I laughed softly and put my hand to his hard chest. “I’m still in shock over what just happened. I don’t—I don’t normally…”
“I know.” He touched my hair again. “Me, either. My last relationship was two years ago. And I’m not even sure you could call it a relationship. We were together six months, but with our busy lives, we rarely saw each other. And it didn’t make me feel like this. Like what you and I have.”
My heart raced at that declaration, but I was also skeptical. “Why me, Jacob?”
He furrowed his brows. “What do you mean?”
I sighed and gave him an exasperated look. “Look at you and look at me. You could have any woman you want. Why would you want to mess around with a woman like me?”
“A woman like what?” I heard the hard edge to his voice, but ignored it.
