Here Comes Trouble Page 0,106
of a man, less of an equal. I don’t know what it’s like being in Vegas with you, where you’re like some kind of rock star poker legend, but I’m guessing it can’t be easy on him. So…I guess I kind of understand where he’s coming from. But it’s a shame he can’t see the rest, about your future, I mean. Have you told him?”
“About?”
“The rest, whatever it was you discovered today. About the house and whatever that means to you.”
“I told him about you.”
She looked up; now she was the one with the surprised expression. “You did?”
He nodded. “I wanted him to meet you. And for you to meet him. It’s important to me.”
“Do you think that’s part of why he begged off tonight? I mean, first you turn him down on going back to work with him and I’m guessing he see’s me as an obstacle to that.” Her eyes widened. “Oh, wow, the charity event. He knows you’re helping me? I mean, not directly, but in finding a way to drive guests to the area, to the inn?”
“Not the particulars, but yes.”
“It’s no wonder he stayed away.” She put her knife down. “Maybe you should go over there, talk to him. Spend the evening hanging out, get room service or go out.” She lifted a shoulder and smiled that half smile of hers. “Be anywhere other than here playing house with me.”
She’d said it affectionately, easily. But that’s what they were doing. Playing house. Only he didn’t want to play at it. Not forever, anyway. Slowly, Hennessey. She’s had a lot of experience with temporary. Let her get used to the idea of you becoming permanent. Hell, he still needed to get used to the idea. There was no need to rush anything, anyway. She wasn’t going anywhere, and neither was he. She’d realize that sooner or later. He would find his niche here. And it if it was all meant to be, it would all figure itself out in time.
So there was absolutely no reason for him to switch off the burner, cross the short distance to the counter where she was chopping, put her knife down, then scoop her up against his chest and kiss the daylights out of her. But that’s exactly what he wanted to do…so that’s exactly what he did.
“What was that all about?” she said, half laughing, half out of breath when he finally let her feet slide to the floor.
“That is because this is amazingly good.”
She beamed a smile, her eyes shining with true affection. “It is kinda, isn’t it?”
“Thank you,” he said, “for suggesting time with Dan. If you’re truly okay with it, then I think maybe that’s not a bad idea. Can we maybe shoot for lunch together—all three of us—tomorrow? I’ve got stuff in the morning, but we should be done by noon, or shortly after. If you want, maybe come up to the resort and we’ll have lunch there? I don’t mean for you to do any extra work.”
“You just don’t want to risk me cooking for him,” she teased. “Which, good plan. But I think this salad will keep until tomorrow, so maybe that, some ham sandwiches, and I can pick up one of Mrs. Hanson’s pies.”
He’d been ready to tell her not to take on the extra bother. Until she’d gotten to that pie part. He was a sucker for pie. Which, apparently had shown on his face, because she laughed.
“Strawberry rhubarb. You’ll never be the same. Warmed up, with ice cream, it’s like sin on a plate.”
He moved his pan off the burner and then wiggled his eyebrows at her. “Funny, that’s how I think of you.”
Her mouth dropped open, then closed, then she rolled her eyes, but there was the most becoming bloom of pink staining her elegantly sculpted cheekbones, he couldn’t help but laugh.
She waved him out of the kitchen. “Go on,” she said. “I’ll clean up here. And if lunch doesn’t work out tomorrow, no worries. I’d like to meet him, though, so I hope he’s okay with the idea. I’ll come to the resort if you think neutral ground is better.”
“I’ll call you later this evening, let you know for sure.” He crossed back to her, eliciting a squeal when he took her by the hips and sat her up on the counter beside the butcher block. He moved between her thighs and took her face in his hands again, planting a kiss that held both the passion he