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As they fell into a rhythm, Kiera shared what she’d heard about the changes Boston had made to their baseball team. While not an overzealous fan who had to watch every game, she, like most New Englanders, was a Red Sox fan.
“Keep doing such a good job, and I’ll let you in my kitchen again.” She stopped working and watched Gray frost the cupcake in his hand.
Gray put down the cupcake he held and put his arm around her. “And what would you have me doing?” He kissed her jaw and then traced a path toward her ear.
Excitement zinged through her as he sucked on her earlobe. “You’ll just have to wait and see.” She could picture them doing so many things in the kitchen, and none of them involved cooking.
“I like the sound of that.”
Kiera left one cupcake behind, but wrapped the rest on the plate. While she loved sweets, she tried to maintain a healthy diet. If the cupcakes stayed with her, they’d only go stale. She doubted that would happen if Gray took them home.
“Here. You can enjoy the rest later.” She handed Gray the plate. He’d spent the entire day at her place, but when she started to fall asleep on the couch, he’d announced it was time for him to go.
Gray zipped up his leather jacket. “Trust me, I plan to.” He accepted the plate, but set it down. “What time should I pick you up tomorrow?” He put his arms
around her.
“The rink opens at ten o’clock, but I can meet you there. It doesn’t make much sense for you to drive here just to drive back to Providence later.”
“I have a better idea. How about I pick you up at nine, we grab some breakfast, and then head to the rink?”
If he wanted to go out of his way, that was his business. “I’ll be ready for nine.”
Gray gave her a final kiss, then grabbed his cupcakes, and left.
“Wow.” Kiera leaned against the closed door. She hadn’t kissed a guy like that in forever. She’d shared a few brief kisses with the blind dates her friends set her up with since her return, but nothing like the ice-melting, steam-producing ones she’d shared with Gray today.
And tomorrow there might be more. Hopefully, she wouldn’t evaporate during one of them.
Kiera closed her eyes. The man kissed like someone who’d had way too much practice. She knew Gray liked to party, but she’d never considered him a playboy. That honor belonged to Trent and Jake. Maybe she’d been wrong. Maybe he was both a party animal and a playboy. After all, no one mastered any skill, whether it be playing an instrument or, in this case, kissing, without plenty of practice.
Pushing away from the door, Kiera opened her eyes. If he’d mastered kissing so well, had he also mastered other skills?
An image of Gray, naked in her bed, materialized in her head. She’d never been one to sit and fantasize, but after the afternoon she’d spent with Gray, who could blame her?
“Stop. Right. There.” She forced the image away and walked up the stairs to the loft. After removing her sweatshirt, she pulled on a clean t-shirt.
She was fantasizing about Gray. A guy she’d known her entire life. A man way out of her league. She had a better chance of opening her own chain of restaurants tomorrow than having anything come from this weekend. Besides, they might spend tomorrow together and decide they couldn’t stand each other.
“It’s Gray, you idiot.” She already knew she liked him. She just wasn’t sure how much. Fudge.
Chapter 3
Gray sat in his brother’s kitchen, his feet propped on the chair across from him. He’d been up since five o’clock and had already exercised in Trent’s home gym, showered, and watched the morning news. Now, he was working on his first cup of coffee while he ate a bowl of cereal and toast. He had another two hours to kill before he picked up Kiera for breakfast, and he knew he’d never last that long without some food. He’d considered a cupcake instead of the toast and cereal, but decided he should stick with something a little healthier since he planned to order a Belgian waffle topped with strawberries, whipped cream, and syrup.
That didn’t mean he wouldn’t have any cupcakes today. He had five left, and he did enjoy a snack before bed.
Soon his thoughts of eating cupcakes changed to memories of Kiera making cupcakes. When he’d landed in Providence, he’d had two things in mind: his brother’s wedding and time with his family. Starting up a relationship with someone hadn’t been on his radar, yet he hadn’t been able to stop himself with Kiera. When he’d watched her lick the batter from her finger, desire rolled over him and he’d gone on autopilot. Even later, when he knew he should play it cool and let her set the pace, he’d kissed her as if he needed her lips to survive.
He reviewed yesterday’s events once more and smiled. He’d surprised her, no questions about it. However, she’d wanted him, too. He might have instigated their first kiss, but she’d been a willing participant and she started their second one.
With a little luck, they’d get the opportunity for a repeat performance today. Sure, they planned to go ice-skating, but they couldn’t skate all day. Once they came off the ice, they would need a way to warm up. He couldn’t think of a better way than coming back here or her place for a few hours of adult activities.
He let himself picture Kiera in sexy lingerie. Before he could enjoy the image too much, though he forced it away. If he wanted to pursue things with Kiera, he needed to take it slow. He couldn’t pull a love-’em-and-leave-’em with her. Not that he made a habit of doing that with any woman. Still, he’d had a few one-night stands and brief flings. He’d known Kiera too long to treat her that way.
If he pursued a relationship with Kiera, he had to do it right. Thanks to his crazy-ass work schedule, he realized that wouldn’t be easy. Regardless, he intended to make the effort
Gray drained his coffee and went to get another, but the ringing of his phone stopped him. Over the past nine months, he’d come to hate that particular ringtone. This morning he had no intention of answering it. Work could wait until tomorrow.
