“Why?” Aria’s gaze dropped to the box.
“What do you mean why? Don’t you eat chocolates?” He fought the mounting irritation.
“Why would you buy me chocolates? What do you want? Or should I ask what sin you have committed? Was the stunt you pulled at the restaurant not enough?” she asked, her tone surprisingly calm.
Shit.Guilt shot through Reece. Now was the perfect time to get out of there. His legs refused to move. Reece rubbed the back of his neck and offered her a sheepish grin. The woman read right through his little gestures. “Nothin’. Here, at least try one.” He held out the box.
It didn’t faze her. “Reece?”
He took a deep breath. “I asked Kelly to babysit Prisha. I wanna take you on a date.”
“What? Why?”
Hell, he’d never worked so fucking hard for sex, ever. Then again, he hadn’t come across such a stubborn woman before. Her frankness turned him on. His whole body ached. “Dammit, woman, ’cause I like you, and you’ve been giving me a goddamn hard time. I wanna repay your kindness for the accommodation not get into your panties, again.” Yeah, right, who was he kidding? Her panties and everything inside was precisely where he wanted to be.
Her brow shot up instantly. To Reece’s surprise, she burst out laughing. “You could’ve just asked, you know.”
“No shit. After the cold shoulder over the last couple of days, and you would’ve said yes?”
“Cold shoulder?”
“Yep, ice maiden suits you better,” the words tripped out. An ill-timed moment and just when she offered friendship. Fuck. He had to learn to shut up at times.
But his words didn’t seem to anger her; the opposite happened. She smiled. “Can’t fault you for being honest, I guess.”
“Look, what happened yesterday, shouldn’t have. I pushed the boundaries, and I’m sorry.”
Her gaze took on a devilish glint. She smiled—a slow parting of those beautiful lips, inviting him to kiss her. Startled, Reece tilted his head. Was this the same woman who’d warned him to stay away from her yesterday? He wondered what brought on the change.
“I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t enjoyed it,” she whispered. “But thanks for the apology.”
What the fuck?He grinned. At least she was honest, and he no longer felt bad for seducing her. “Chocolate?”
“No, thanks.”
“You’re not one of those waist watchers, are you?” Reece snorted.
“I think the correct term is weight watchers.”
“Nope. Waist watchers as in believing everythin’ you eat goes straight to your waist or hips or somewhere in between.”
She laughed. “Thankfully, no. Good genes, I guess.”
“Yeah, definitely good jeans.” With a sly grin, Reece dropped his gaze to the snug fit of her denim and the way it curved at the ‘v’ between her thighs.
Aria blushed. An adorable pink tell-tale flush. Abruptly, she turned to go back in.
“Wait. You haven’t had chocolate yet.” He liked the friendliness. The threat she’d made about nothing happening between him and her, seemed unreal now.
She half-turned. “I don’t like gooey chocolate filled centers.”
“No way. Those are the best.” Reece took one of the chocolates and bit into it. He then lifted the half in his hand, tilted his head back, and let the soft gooey center ooze into his mouth. His gaze on Aria’s face, he licked his lips as the sticky sweetness coated his lips. “Wanna give it a try.” He pouted, testing the water.
“Sure.” Her answer caught him entirely off guard.
Stunned, he stood rooted to the spot when she moved closer, lifted on her toes, and rimmed his lips with her tongue. Reece moaned. He opened his mouth to snag her tongue, but she stepped away with a seductive smile. The sexy grin brought an instant hard-on.
“Nope. Your lips tasted better without the chocolate.” She licked her lips, her eyes bright and big as silver dollars.
