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“And I should have slapped you,” I quip with a grin.
“You should have. Why didn’t you?”
The way he glances at me sends warmth flowing through me.
I shrug. “Maybe I wanted you to kiss me.”
The look he gives me makes me want to tell him to pull over so I can show him how much I wanted him to kiss me. As swiftly as the thought comes, I put it away.
We engage in light banter on the way to my place. Gareth pulls to a stop at the curb in front of my building. I bite my bottom lip as I wonder if I should invite him to my apartment. The decision is made for me when he undoes his seatbelt.
“I hope you have food in your apartment because I’m starving.”
I laugh nervously. “You have me working so late that I barely cook.”
“Can you?”
“Can I what?”
“Cook.”
“I might not be Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli, but I know how to throw down.” Eyeing him, I ask, “Can you cook?”
He chuckles. “Of course. Maybe we’ll have a cook-off one of these days.”
Loving that he had mentioned something for us to do together in the future, I nod emphatically.
“Game on. I’ll order takeout.”
“Pizza, please. I can’t remember the last time I had some. I think…” He trails off and a faraway look enters his eyes. I yearn to tell him to continue, but the moment passes.
“Pizza from Roberta’s Pizza it is. I’ll order their Bee Sting pizza. You’ll love it.”
Giving me an unreadable expression, he remarks, “I’m sure I will.”
With my face inflamed at his innuendo, I grope for the car door before letting myself out. I welcome the coolness of the night on my heated body. We take the elevator to the twentieth floor, and I use the time to order pizza.
With my heart thumping, I open the door to my apartment.
He releases a whistle as he takes in my furniture and décor. The white leather chairs surrounding a rosewood coffee table, the abstract paintings on the wall, the knick-knacks, the carpet, and a lovely view of Manhattan Skyline surely impress him.
“How did you get such a nice apartment in such a short time? People kill for a place like this.”
“I guess I’m lucky. A college friend of mine owns it,” I inform him.
“A male friend?” he asks with a frown.
It’s cute that he wants to know if I have a boyfriend. I’m almost tempted to lie to him to see what he would do, but I despise lies, so I don’t. “A female friend. She’s on a year’s tour around Europe. She offered for me to use the place while she is away.”
“Great.” He takes off his long coat and suit jacket and places them across one of the upholstered chairs before sitting and regarding me with an expression that has me feeling fiery all over. I’m afraid that if I go inside to take a shower and change my clothes, he might join me, and I won’t have the strength to say no.
Fidgeting because I don’t know what to do, I place my purse on the coffee table and take a seat on the sofa. He chuckles, and I look at him.
“You don’t have to behave as if you’re a schoolgirl whose boyfriend is visiting while her parents aren’t at home.”
“You know a lot about that, don’t you?” I tease.
“I don’t kiss and tell.”
