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Beth wasn’t sure how long they stayed that way, gazes locked, the heat sizzling between them having little to do with the curry simmering on the stove, but she was the first to break the deadlock before she flung herself over the island bench and tackled him to the floor.
“Interesting place.” She swiveled on the bar stool away from his assessing stare, willing her heart to stop pounding like a temp with a crush on her first boss.
Though what hope did she have, with Aidan propped against one of the bench tops, looking sinfully delicious, more so than the chocolate mousse she’d glimpsed when he opened the fridge.
“This place belongs to my folks. I’m crashing here for a while.”
She couldn’t fathom the strange look he got every time he mentioned his family, an almost furtive guilty expression that darkened his eyes with pain.
“Mom wanted the appliances though goodness knows why as she rarely cooks. As for all the plates and other paraphernalia, she’s a hoarder from way back. Collecting old stuff goes with the territory of being a historian.”
Bemused by the cynicism in his voice, she tucked her feet under the stool rung and wriggled until she was comfortable. “Considering your job, you must be into old stuff too. What do you collect?”
He paused, sending her a wicked grin that curled her toes. “Hotties, just like you.”
Twirling a strand of hair around her finger—wishing she could do the same to him—she leaned forward and lowered her voice. “I’m guessing you’re not referring to the ceramic type.”
“You mean like your extensive collection?”
They laughed, as Beth wondered how she’d ever thought she could convince him she was conservative.
“You know, Lana actually does collect ceramic hot water bottles.”
“Really?”
She nodded, surprised by the swift stab of jealousy at the sudden interest in his eyes, glad when his gaze dipped to her cleavage briefly before returning to her face, scorching in its intensity.
“Personally, I’m into hotties that collect shoes.”
He pushed off the bench top, his biceps bunching impressively as he strode across the kitchen and offered her his hand, his smile giving those damn butterflies in her stomach a new lease on life.
“Come on, I’ll give you the grand tour.”
“Is this your less than subtle way of getting me into your bedroom?”
Heat pooled in her belly at the thought as she slipped her hand into his, powerless to resist this sexy guy at his flirting best.
He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, the action so ludicrously exaggerated she laughed. “No, it’s my way of taking my mind off exactly how hot you are and stopping myself from getting down and dirty with you right here, right now.”
“Oh,” she managed to say as all the air whooshed out of her lungs, and as she took a deep breath his spicy scent mingled with the fragrant cooking aromas, making her mouth water more than ever.
“Let’s go before I change my mind and lose the chivalry act.” He nuzzled her neck, sending shards of pleasure through her body and she sighed out loud when he pulled away.
“You didn’t have to go through all this trouble to get me into bed,” she said, gesturing at the stove top, the wine, and the cozy table for two set in the corner. “I’m a big girl. I don’t need all the trappings.”
His right eyebrow shot up, the small scar adding to his comical surprise. “Where did that come from?”
She knew. She’d known the instant she set foot in this room and seen Aidan looking so comfortable, seen the results of his culinary efforts, the easy way he treated her, a heady mixture of light flirtation with innuendo.
This entire scene was too seductive, but not in a sexual way. Seeing him like this, relaxed, contented, casual, scared her more she’d anticipated.
Sharing a home cooked meal, having him lavish attention on her with the seductive promise of so much more, was terrifying to a girl who never did this sort of thing, to a girl who couldn’t think beyond tomorrow let alone contemplate more than a few dates with the same guy.
Her stomach churned, her heart flipped, and her palms grew sweaty, physiological responses to a psychological problem she was all too aware of.
She didn’t do intimate dinners with dates for this very reason.
She dated guys who went to loud parties, dance clubs, and who wouldn’t know coriander from a blade of grass.
