they finished making their white-chocolate almond-butter cups and cleaning up their workstations, Zev had come to the conclusion that there was probably a modicum of truth to his not knowing who Carly was anymore, at least on the surface. But while she might have changed directions, he had a feeling that the dreamer in her wasn’t gone for good. She’d poked her pretty mischievous head out with the story she’d told about being rescued by that fricking cowboy. And the jealousy that had simmered in Carly’s eyes had definitely belonged to the girl he’d fallen in love with.
Carly handed out boxes for them to take their chocolates home and made her way around the room praising each person’s efforts and thanking them for coming. Zev took his time putting his treats into the box. He had no plans of leaving without getting a few minutes alone to talk with Carly. He wanted to clear the air, to figure out if their breakup was the reason she’d stopped pursuing her dreams. They’d started college together, and he’d always assumed she’d gone on to get her archaeology degree. How did she end up in Colorado? How long had she been there? Hell, he wanted to know everything about her. Including how much she hated him for leaving.
Unfortunately, Miranda was packing up just as slowly as he was. She eyed his chocolates, which didn’t look great, and said, “I still don’t understand why yours are so uneven.”
I was too busy watching Carly to worry about how much chocolate I was pouring into the cups. “I guess I was sidetracked.”
Miranda touched his arm and said, “I can’t say I’m sorry for sidetracking you.”
Zev glanced at Carly, who had fire in her eyes.
“That’s one of the hazards of flirting in the kitchen,” Carly said sharply. “You got lucky. Usually someone gets burned.”
Zev’s chest constricted, and he shifted his arm out of Miranda’s reach.
“I guess we’ll have to stay out of the kitchen from now on.” Miranda giggled.
“I need to be out of here in a few minutes, so if you two could wrap it up, that would be great.” Carly gave Zev a scathing look and said, “I’ve got to do something in my office. I hope you don’t mind showing yourselves out.”
Fuck. He’d meant to get Carly jealous, not to piss her off.
“Thank you!” Miranda called after her. She turned to Zev and said, “Want to hit the bar down the street?”
“I can’t, thanks. I have to meet an old friend.”
“Oh,” she said with a frown. “Well, do you want to exchange numbers? Get together another time?”
“Actually, I’m not in town for very long. But I’ll walk out with you.” He picked up his box and they walked through the shop. As he opened the door, he said, “Thanks for helping me in class.”
“It was fun. You sure you don’t want my number?”
“You’re a beautiful woman, Miranda. But I gave my heart away years ago, and trust me, I’m not worth your time.”
Her brow wrinkled. “How do you know I’m not just looking for one night of fun?”
“Even if you were, I’m not. Take care, Miranda. I just realized I left something in the kitchen.”
He closed and locked the door and headed back toward Carly’s office.
She was standing by the sink in the kitchen when he walked in. He tossed the box on the counter, startling her. Carly dropped the pan she was holding, and her hand flew to her chest. “You scared the life out of me.”
“I’d rather scare the pants off of you,” he said as he came around the counter.
Her eyes narrowed. “Where’s your girlfriend?”
“I’ve only had one girlfriend in my life.” He closed the gap between them, enjoying the flare of heat in her eyes, and said, “And I’m looking at an older, more beautiful version of her.”
“Zev.” The warning came out breathy.
His dreams couldn’t compare to that sound. “Say it again.”
She shook her head, looking sultry and hauntingly beautiful.
He caressed her cheek, and longing rose in her eyes. “Your skin is still as soft as velvet.” He brushed his thumb over the seam of her sweetly bowed lips, and they both sighed.
“Zevy,” she whispered, full of desire. “What are you doing?”
“I don’t know,” he said, surprised by his honesty, but there was no stopping it now. “I’ve missed you, Carls.” He ran his fingers up her arm and threaded them into her hair. His entire body exhaled, as if he’d been waiting his whole life for that simple touch.