have noticed it before.” Without waiting for him, she walked through the living room and stopped a few feet away.
“His work is unmistakable, isn’t it?” he said, approaching from behind. “No, it’s not new. I purchased the piece almost five years ago, right after I moved to Seattle. It was in my office, but I moved it here because I thought you’d enjoy seeing it. You can get closer to it. It won’t bite, I promise.”
She laughed. “Trust me. Breakables and I don’t mix. This is as close as I get.”
“Well, then sit here and admire it while I finish a few things in the kitchen. Can I get you a glass of wine? Red or white?”
“White, but let me help. I’m not much of a cook, but I can chop, stir, whisk and I’m pretty good at tasting.”
“Good. I need help with all of the above.”
He touched the small of her back, guiding her to an upholstered bar stool at the kitchen counter. Even through her clothing, his hand felt heavy and warm.
He grabbed a bottle of wine and with a few twists, it was uncorked, two glasses were filled and he was offering one to her. A small cutting board with an onion and a knife sat just out of reach on the counter.
“Can you slide that over? Do you want it chopped in little pieces or in slices?”
A strange expression flashed across his face before he smiled. “No knives for you. Is peeling in your repertoire? You can peel a few carrots, if you’d like.”
“Funny you should ask, because I happen to be an expert.”
He handed her a vegetable peeler, several carrots, and a bowl for scraps. With his fingers tucked under like a professional chef, he began to chop the onion with the speed and precision of someone who did it for a living.
“How long have you worked as a location scout? How did you get the job?”
“I’ve been working on and off for Steve about six years now. He and my father were friends. After my father…” She cleared her throat and started peeling. “When he died, my mother eventually moved us up here and he hired me part-time because he knew I liked photography.”
“Your father—how long has he been gone?”
“He passed away when I was a kid.”
“So it’s just you and your mother?”
“And my brother, Corey.”
He retrieved a sautй pan from a lower cabinet, drizzled in some oil and set it on a burner. “Does he work for your father’s friend as well?”
“No, just me. Corey’s in college and it’s probably best if he doesn’t have to concentrate on a job till school’s over.”
“You’ve been working as a location scout for several years, then. You must enjoy it.”
“Yeah, I guess. I get to see lots of beautiful places I might not otherwise have seen.”
He raised an eyebrow and leveled her with a serious look. “You don’t say that with much conviction. Would you rather be doing something else?”
She smiled at his perception. “No, I do enjoy it. The photography part, but I’m always keeping my options open.”
“And the art school?”
“Love it.” She finished her wine and started peeling another carrot. She considered telling him what really made her excited. What she really wanted to do. But then, what would be the point if she didn’t see him after tonight?
“What did you get your degree in?”
“I didn’t.”
“But you said you knew Martin through university.”
He remembered all that from the—?
Damn.
The vegetable peeler slipped, slicing her forefinger instead of the carrot. She hissed a breath through her teeth as a small bead of blood welled up and dripped onto the counter. Dom was there almost before the stinging pain registered in her brain, grabbing her hand and cupping it gently in his. A strange tingling sensation moved up her arm. The cut wasn’t deep enough to be numb, was it?
“Are you all right?” Another drop of blood trickled from her finger, but onto his hand this time.
She pulled away quickly. “Oh God, I’m sorry. Do you have a paper towel or something? Here, let me clean this up.”
Ignoring her request, he grasped her elbow and swept her around the island to the kitchen faucet. His arms went around her, his muscular biceps encasing her, and he pushed her hand under the stream of water. Every inch of her back, from her shoulders to her buttocks, was pressed to the muscular plane of his warm torso and she felt his warm breath in her hair.