“Hey Bo.”
“I want to apologize.” I say it quickly before his smile makes me forget why I’m here. “I spoke to Kieren, and I’m happy for him to train here.”
His smile widens, and he tilts his head. “I’m pleased.”
His gaze rakes down my body, and I wish I’d taken the time to change out of my scrubs.
“How’s the injury?”
His eyes sparkle with mischief. “You’d better check it over for me, nurse.”
He ducks his head and leans forward so close I can smell his tangy scent; perspiration and chalk and something else that’s all him.
I swallow hard and stand on my tiptoes to peer at the stitches. I tap my fingers over them and they’re holding, but all I can think of is his warm skin under mine and what it would feel like if I ran my fingers down his cheek and into his stubble.
“They look fine.” I step away quickly, and he straightens up, giving me a look like he knows exactly what was going through my head.
“When’s your break tomorrow? I’ll take you for coffee.”
The gravelly purr of his voice makes it sound like coffee is a sin, and I’m ready to be tempted.
“We already talked about Kieren, and I’ve agreed he can train.”
Dean reaches forward and cups my chin in his hand. I still at the contact as my body zings to life. My pulse races, and my heart’s beating so hard it might explode out of my chest.
“This is just about you and me.” His thumb strokes my cheek.
“I don’t date.” My words come out as a whisper, and they sound feeble even to myself. For so long, that’s been my standard response to any male attention, but for the first time, I wonder if it’s still true.
“This isn’t a date.”
“Oh.” Disappointment crashes over me, followed swiftly by embarrassment. For the second time, I’ve misread the situation. I look down, but he tilts my head up so my gaze meets his.
“It’s getting to know my future wife.”
His gaze darts to my lips, and I lean forward and… wait, what? Did he call me his future wife?
Shock must be written all over my face, because Dean chuckles and releases my chin.
I back off a step, and he looks confused. “Sorry, Bo, did I come on too strong?”
“I’ve been someone’s wife before, and I didn’t like it.”
He nods as if considering it. “They must have been an idiot to let you get away.”
“You don’t know the half of it,” I mutter.
“You can tell me about it over dinner tomorrow.”
“Wait, I thought you said coffee?”
“I just changed my mind. It sounds like we’ve got a lot of ground to cover, and coffee won’t cut it. I’m taking you out to dinner tomorrow night.”
Before I have time to respond, someone calls his name from the gym.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I open my mouth to protest, then realize I don’t want to. What I want to do is have dinner with Dean and find out more about the man and why my body comes to life whenever he’s close to me.
