“Without a single detail. On the way to dinner the other night, that bothered you a lot.”
“Still does, but it can’t be helped. We’ll have to feel our way around them as we go.”
He seemed surprised. “You’re okay with that?”
“I don’t have a choice.”
“And look how easily we figured this out.” He beamed at her. “We make a terrific team.”
Was he trying to make her want him even more?
They reached the complex and soon arrived at her door. “Thanks for dinner, and for the walk,” she said, looking forward to falling into bed.
“Back at ya for the ice cream.”
She pulled the key from her jacket pocket and unlocked the door. She was about to open it and let herself in when Blake leaned in and kissed her.Not again.But instead of pushing him away, she clutched his jacket lapels and kissed him back. The key dropped from her fingers. The clanking sound on the concrete step brought her to her senses.Stop.
Frowning, she picked it up. “Why did you do that?”
“I needed more of something sweet—you. Kissing you is better than any ice cream.”
Laughter bubbled out of her. “How did I not know what a cornball you are?” She wanted to remind him that his flattery didn’t affect her in the least, but blurted out something else. “Do it again.”
She considered taking the words back and reminding him she had no interest in being one more name on the list of women he’d seduced, but his clever mouth teasing her lips erased the thought. Her body hummed with longing she couldn’t stop and didn’t want to. Outside where anyone could see.
She opened the door and yanked him inside.
CHAPTER 12
Inside Vi’s house, Blake kicked the door shut, shrugged out of his jacket while she did the same, pulled her into his arms and went back to kissing her. She tasted even sweeter than before. Her lips eagerly meeting his with growing passion, the feel of her soft body in his arms… He couldn’t get enough. Craving deeper kisses, he slid his tongue into her mouth. With a soft moan, she pressed closer, her body tight against his. Killing him. He cupped her hips to anchor her there. “I want you.”
As soon as he uttered the words, she stiffened as if he’d poured a bucket of cold water on her and pushed him away.
“We have to stop, Blake. This isn’t right.”
The words didn’t match her enthusiasm or the restless way she’d shimmied against him. He let go of her and stepped back. “It feels right to me, but I get it—we’re moving too fast. I didn’t mean for that to happen, but I can’t lie. You turn me on.” Her cheeks were flushed, her lips slightly red from the passionate kissing and her hair loose and messy, and he hungered to get right back to it.
“I don’t want to turn you on, and I don’t want to be turned on.”
“You were, though. We both were.”
Mr. T sashayed toward them and twined himself between her ankles. “Fine watch cat you are,” she grumbled. “Why did you kiss me this time, Blake?”
“Truthfully, I’ve been thinking about it on and off since the last time. But I didn’t plan anything, I swear. It just happened. I enjoyed spending the past few hours with you and commiserating over the situation with our grandparents. A goodnight kiss is customary after a date.”
“This wasnota date,” she stated with heat in her voice.
“Your mixed messages are confusing. One minute you’re warm and friendly and step eagerly into my arms. A few hot kisses later, you tell me you don’t want to date and act like you’re ticked off.”
“You came over uninvited to talk about a shared problem. I appreciated the food and I enjoyed the walk and the ice cream. I thought we were friends. Other than that, I don’t want to get involved with you.”
Too late. “The way I see it, we’ve moved beyond simple friendship. I agree, we got involved more quickly than usual, but this is how we are together. It’s as much your fault as mine. I gave you a chaste good night kiss. You wanted more and hauled me into the house.”
“I didn’t want the neighbors to talk, okay? The same thing happened in the back seat of your car, only you did the pulling. It was wrong both times, a mistake.”
“Was it? You can’t deny the chemistry between us.”
She covered her hands with her ears for a few seconds, as if not wanting to hear another word about it. “I’m not some gullible female, and I don’t want to be seduced, especially by you.”
