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There was the distinct sound of a key being slipped into the front door and the lock turning.
Marisa’s eyes widened and fixed on Cole’s.
In the next instant she was scrambling off the sofa—swinging her legs down and around and bolting to her feet.
Cole tossed her the biker shorts, but she had no time to do anything but stuff them under a pillow as she brushed down her apron.
“Marisa?” Serafina called. “Hello?”
Her cousin appeared in the entrance to the living room, and Marisa thought the whole situation could take the prize for Most Awkward Situation in One’s Own Home.
Serafina blinked. “Oh...hello.”
Marisa prayed her face didn’t betray her. “Um, hi, Sera. I didn’t know you were going to stop by.”
“I overlooked a couple of small things when I moved out.” Sera shrugged. “Since I still had the emergency key to the apartment, I thought it would be no problem if I showed up on my way to work. I did knock.”
It was as if they were both pretending there wasn’t a six-foot-plus sexy guy standing in the corner of her living room.
Marisa glanced at Cole, who was shielded by the high back of an armchair. She had no such cover. She hoped her apron was enough to disguise the fact that she was wearing only underwear. “Sera, you know Cole Serenghetti, don’t you?”
Her cousin’s gaze moved to Cole. “I thought I recognized you.”
“Nice to meet one of Marisa’s relatives.”
Sera nodded. “I’m going to...go search the kitchen for my small blender.”
“Sure, go right ahead,” Marisa chirped. “I thought I saw it in there.”
When her cousin turned and left, Marisa breathed a sigh of relief. Cole tossed the biker shorts at her, and she slipped into them while avoiding his eyes.
“I’ll let myself out,” he announced wryly.
“We shouldn’t have done this,” she blurted. Nothing had changed. She was as easy a conquest for him as she’d always been. Willing to stop, drop and roll anytime, anywhere.
Cole ran a hand through his hair. “Get rid of the books on the shelf. You don’t need them.”
Marisa stared at him. It was a typical understated and sardonic Cole Serenghetti compliment. She wasn’t sure whether to hug it close, or run for cover.
“I’ll let you know the timing for the television show.” Giving her one last significant look, Cole strode from the room.
Moments later Marisa heard her front door open and close for the second time. Taking a deep breath, she walked toward the back of the apartment. She found Serafina in the kitchen, opening and closing cabinets.
“I know that little handheld blender and juicer is in here somewhere...”
“Have you tried the cabinet above the stove?”
Serafina turned and gave her a once-over. “Well, you look fit for company again. At least the nonmale version.”
“Cole came over because we had things to...discuss about the fund-raiser. And because he’s looking for a couple of guests for his mother’s cooking show, and I’m trying to get him to run a hockey clinic for the kids.” And I kissed him at the Puck & Shoot, and I hope the news doesn’t spread...or hasn’t already to you. Fortunately, since she’d never been to the Puck & Shoot before last week, there was no reason for anyone to recognize her as Sera’s cousin and make a connection.
Her cousin tilted her head. “And those, uh, discussions happened with your pants off?”
Marisa flushed. Busted.
Serafina lifted her eyebrows. “He’s hot, for sure. And at least he doesn’t have his brother’s reputation for going through women as if he needs to spread the love.”
“I—”
