“Ren, as much as I want you to say yes to me, I’m surprised that you did, knowing this. But I can promise you, what’s between us is different. For one, my feelings for you are so much more than friendship.” He slowly reached for my hand, and when his long fingers and warm grip held mine, it was as if my body both sparked and relaxed at the same time.
“The first time I saw you on that call, I was completely stunned. I had never, ever reacted that way to a woman before. Then, when I tapped you on the shoulder at the airport, and you turned around? I had to fight the urge to pull you into me and carry you off like a caveman.” We both chuckled at that.
He brought my hand that he was holding to his lips and gently kissed it twice. I was giddy at the feel of them as they tickled my skin.
“Then you said yes without hesitation to help me make Grammy feel better. I don’t know how to describe it other than...” He paused, and his gaze seemed to look through me. “It felt like my heart said,‘There you are.’I had found you.”
I gasped as his dark eyes looked at me as if he were marveling at something precious to him. No man had ever looked at me like that.
“What are you thinking about right now?” he asked, his voice husky with emotion and most likely fatigue.
“Something she said to me the other day. She got my number through the group somehow and invited me over. Told me not to tell you,” I said coyly.
Mike laughed lightly, the sound reverberating through me. He was so masculine, yet so gentle.
“I know. I was there.” His lips pursed, holding back a smile.
“Wait, what do you mean?”
“She called to ask if you liked cake or pie. I gave my best guess and said cake. Took about an hour for it to dawn on me what she was up to. So I raced over from the office and stopped outside her door. I heard at least part of your conversation. About me as a kid. Bad fashion choices.”
I threw my head back as I laughed, remembering that photo of him in what could only be called scientist chic.
“It was a pretty interesting choice of outfits. I particularly liked the double-pleated khakis.”
He moaned and shook his head. “I was about thirteen, trying to catch the eye of Annie Nolan. I remember looking in the mirror after nearly choking myself out with how much Axe body spray I’d put on, and thought, ‘You look good.’”
Laughing again, I said, “I can only imagine. Your obnoxious confidence started early, I see.”
Rubbing my hand again, he said, “Not with everything. Or everyone. I’m trying to catch the eye of a beautiful, kind Italian woman now. I can go find some of those khakis if that’s what does it for you.” His voice was smooth and velvety, making my heart flutter.
“Then I guess you’d better let Annie, what’s her name, know you’re taken,” I said demurely.
He smiled that devastating smile that did something deep inside my chest. “Oh, really?”
I nodded. “Yeah. Since we’re going to be married soon, I guess she’s out of luck,” I said saucily, my smile matching his.
When he leaned over the middle console toward me, I held my breath.
Was he going to kiss me? I thought we were going slow! Did Iwanthim to kiss me? My treacherous, romantic side was screaming a resoundingyes!
Before my crazy thoughts could spin further out of control, his scratchy cheek met mine as his warm lips kissed me there. He slowly backed up and looked me in the eye.
He was so close. Too close.
Friends, Ren. Just friends. For now.
“Then I’ll call you in the morning and make some plans, yes?”
Not trusting my voice, I nodded. He leaned all the way back over and got out of the car, heading for my door. Taking in a deep breath, I let him help me out of the truck, my knees wobbling a bit.
The rush of the ocean filtered through the noise in my head, making me regret how late it was. A walk on the beach would be amazing after the evening I’d had, but it would have to wait for another day. Mike waited until I’d put the code in and opened the door.
“Goodnight, Renata.” Mike’s voice brought me back. “My cup runneth over.”
He was so sweet, I couldn’t help smiling. “Ciao, see you tomorrow. Call me if anything changes with Grammy. Also, text me when you get home so I know you’re safe.”
His eyes softened at my words. “Promise.”
