some other way. Because she couldn’t be in love! The word had practically lost all meaning for her through the years—how many times had she told a man she loved him knowing it wasn’t true?
She gasped. “What time is it?”
Dante reached behind him for his phone. “Ten fifteen. Why?”
“Shoot!” Tanyalee had completely forgotten about the bowl-a-thon! “I’ve got to grab the team shirts from the bakery, then go collect Fern by noon.”
“Oh.” Dante sat up, too. “So you can’t stay for breakfast?”
“I would love to, Dante, and that is so sweet of you, but I just can’t. Would you mind if I take a quick shower?”
“Only if I’m allowed to shower with you.”
No, no, no. The second we get in that shower together I will tell you I’m in love with you.
“Can we do that another time?” Tanyalee kissed his lips, feeling the temptation … she pulled herself away.
“There are clean towels in the cabinet. Help yourself to anything you need. I’ll make us some coffee.”
“That would be perfectly lovely, thank you.”
She let herself lounge in bed while Dante got up. As he walked across the room, she enjoyed the play of muscles in his bottom, thighs, and back. As he opened the chest of drawers, she nearly swooned at the strength of his shoulders and arms. As he yanked up a pair of baggy athletic shorts, the muscles in his abdomen rippled. Dante’s body was a graceful symphony of olive skin, fluid strength, and solid bone. He caught her looking at him and leaned in for a kiss. “See you in a few,” he said, and wandered into the hallway.
SweetbabyJesus! She flopped back on the bed. Am I in love?
Once she recovered, Tanyalee made quick work of a shower, found all the various pieces of clothing she’d worn to the grand opening the day before—her panties were on the windowsill, of all places—and smoothed her hair into a ponytail holder she’d located in her bag. Thankfully, she found her travel-sized toothbrush as well, but no toothpaste, and she wandered back into the bathroom to use some of Dante’s. Though she didn’t like to snoop, the toothpaste was not on the counter. So she opened the medicine cabinet. Not there. She opened three drawers to the left of the sink. Not there, either. She opened the top drawer on the right and there it was. And as she reached in, her eye caught a flash of something silver and shiny that was shoved to the back of the drawer. Even before she touched it she was hit by a jolt of recognition.
Her bracelet.
It was stored inside a small cardboard box without a lid, and tucked beneath the piece of jewelry was her own handwriting. He’d kept the note, too? Tanyalee’s mind and heart exploded in a jumble of questions. Why had Dante kept it? Had their night in Washington meant as much to him as it did to her? Was there a chance he felt the same way she did?
She shoved the box back to its hiding place as soon as she heard his footsteps approaching, and after sharing a quick cup of coffee with him she knew she should be going.
Dante walked her to the door. He gently cupped her face in his hands and lowered his mouth to hers. If kisses could have flavors, Tanyalee decided this one tasted like a question—a big one. But when their eyes met, Dante only smiled.
“Oh!” Tanyalee gasped. “I nearly forgot! Do you need a ride to the bakery? Did you leave your car there last night?”
Dante shook his head. “Nope. I arrived with O’Connor and planned on leaving with you.”
Tanyalee clicked her tongue in mock disapproval. “You’re pretty sure of yourself, aren’t you, Agent Cabrera?”
“I am.”
“Hmm. Well, I should go.”
“Wait.” Dante touched her upper arm. “I just need to ask you one more thing.”
“What?”
“Have you been thoroughly distracted?”
Tanyalee laughed. “I’m so distracted that I might have trouble bowling today.”
He tipped his head, his smile lingering. “So I’ll see you later, then.”
“At two-thirty on the dot. Please don’t be late.” She was about to turn when he reached for her hand.
“Are you free at all this coming week?”
“Well, now, let me think.” She tapped her finger to her lips. “I believe I am, but only Monday through Sunday.”
“Then pencil me in.”
Chapter 19
Tanyalee slipped her key in the back door of the bakery and automatically reached for the light. It was already on.
Soft giggles emanated from the kitchen and floated down the hallway,