AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Jake: I’ll keep you on the deck, away from any soft surfaces so you’re not tempted.
Me: Trust me, I’ll be fine.
Jake: Yes you will.
Me: Please don’t make me regret saying yes to this.
Jake: Have I ever not treated you right, Clara?
Me: Okay, text me the address and time. Thank you for volunteering to cook. I look forward to it.
Jake: There’s my buttoned-up little businesswoman. Sexy.
Me: Jake…
Jake: Bet you’re blushing.
I was. He was supremely capable of controlling the blood flow to my cheeks. One flirty word, and it came rushing to the surface.
Jake: That’s okay, you don’t have to tell me. I’ll see for myself on Friday. Until then, be good.
I tossed my phone onto the passenger seat. Yeah, this was almost certainly going to blow up in my face. Hopefully Jake was a decent cook, so my meal would be worth it.
Chapter Ten
Jake
Clara was sitting in her car in my driveway. She had been for the past ten minutes. I’d been watching her for the same amount of time, amusement growing with each passing minute.
First, she’d fixed her hair and swiped on lipstick.
Then she’d put on a jacket and taken it right back off.
Now, it looked like she was either talking to herself or singing.
It was cute as hell, but I was ready for her to come inside. Opening the front door wide, the light from inside spilled out onto the dark driveway. Clara’s head whipped in my direction, her mouth forming a startled O. I tipped my beer at her. Her lips clamped shut, and she turned away, rummaging around while I took a long pull.
Finally, she climbed out of her car, shrugging the strap of a compact leather purse over her shoulder.
“I was still deciding whether to come in or not,” she announced as she walked up.
“Yeah, my patience is finite, and we both knew you were coming in.” I stepped back from the doorway. “Get in here before I come out there and retrieve you myself.”
Heels clicked on the stone steps leading to my front porch as she got closer and closer. As soon as I could, I reached out and snagged her hand, guiding her inside. By the time I closed and locked the door, she’d taken off her heels and set her purse on the entry table. Her hands were tucked in the back pockets of her jeans as she scanned the foyer, which opened into the vaulted living room.
“Wow, the wood beams are stunning,” she said.
“The woodwork was what sold me. That and the location.”
“You said outskirts, but you should have emphasized the ‘out’ part.” Her gaze finally landed on me. “Won’t you show me the rest?”
“I’ll show you some more.” I walked up to her, placing my hand on the small of her back. “You’ll have to let me lead, though.”
A shiver ran through her, and I was gratified to feel it since she did a damn good job hiding it.
“I have no problem with that.”
I took her around the well-used living room to the game room. She ran her fingers along the blue felt of my pool table.
