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“I’m not crying!”
“You’re like four seconds from it. Listen, you’ve got to change how you’re looking at relationships. Women don’t just exist to be your emotional fluffers. We don’t just exist to solve the problem of your loneliness.”
He hesitated then said, “I thought Rhiannon had it all together and we’d work because she was so solid. I didn’t think she needed anything from me, other than just the pleasure of my company.”
“You’re so gross,” Jill laughed. “That’s so selfish.”
She got out of the car again. “What you want might exist, but it shouldn’t.” She said, closing the door once more. “You should look for someone who loves you for Scott Kline and accepts that Kline Scott rides piggyback on that man.”
“And you’re sure you’re out of the running?”
“I’m sure that you will never forgive me for knowing you before you got your teeth fixed.”
“I do love you, you know,” he called. She was walking away now, but she looked back over her shoulder and flashed him one of those smiles that sent his stomach careening.
“I know.”
He sat there a moment longer, making sure she got in the door, then he started to laugh. He knew exactly who loved him for Scott Kline and accepted Kline Scott as part and parcel of the deal. All he had to do was get her to see it.
CHAPTERSEVEN
Jill Parker
Jill answered the door to Thad, barefoot in a little black slip dress, a similarly small white apron tied around her waist, hair piled in a messy twist."Hi," she smiled, "come on in.Thank you for the flowers!" He’d been sending fresh bouquets every few days since their first date–different ones every time.
"You're very welcome," he said, stepping inside and bending to kiss her cheek. "You look smashing."
"Thanks, so do you," she said, blushing slightly as he shrugged out his jacket to reveal a light blue, button front shirt that was cut to fit him perfectly. He'd chosen to wear jeans and looking at her dress, he grinned sheepishly. "I think I may be a bit underdressed."
"Not at all. I'm comfortable. Hopefully you're comfortable. No one's around to judge." She took his jacket and hung it in the front closet, then led him back to the dining nook in the kitchen. "I thought we'd eat in here," she said."It's cozier. Is that all right?"
"Fine by me." He took the seat she indicated and smiled as she brought over a glass of wine.
"I'm off bread completely for now," Jill told him, next placing a little linen wrapped basket on the table."But I love the smell of fresh baked bread, so there's some for you.Sweet butter is in the little blue thing there.Just help yourself.I won't be a minute with the rest."
They started with crisp salads, then moved on to broiled fish, steamed vegetables and tiny crustless quiches.For dessert she fed him a homemade cheesecake. Along with the food came another round of comfortable conversation. Neither was as nervous this time, and both were just eager to learn more about the other.
Thad cleared the table for her and then helped do the dishes before following her out into her back yard with another glass of wine. They sat on the patio sectional by the pool, taking in the night air and the sound of cicadas until their conversation drifted into a peaceful silence. Jill considered him, her feet in his lap as he lazily stroked her ankles.He’d been over several times since their first date, short visits, stealing time between obligations. Each time careful with her virtue, not wanting to start something he had to stop.
He’d said something about taking it slow, or slower than he usually did. “Trying to learn from past mistakes, you know? Maybe I’ll try to get to know you before I try to marry you.”
“The last thing I want to be is a mistake!” She had agreed, laughing at his self-effacing humor, but tonight felt different. His shirt sleeves were rolled up to the middle of his strong, tanned forearms. A silver Tag Heuer, the only hint of wealth about him, glinted at his wrist. She kept glancing at his broad hands and tidy fingernails, wondering how they would feel scratching down her back, and she squirmed at the thought of him gripping her thighs.
Her eyes darted back to the watch, then his sleeves, then up the line of his arm to meet his curious smile. His eyes were twinkling, a blue that matched his oxford shirt exactly, and he seemed to be waiting for something.
She cleared her throat. "Are you being a gentleman again tonight?"
"Seems that way so far," he said, but his voice was warm and husky.
She barely suppressed the nervous laugh bubbling up inside her, humming acknowledgement instead of begging him to take her, like the voice in the back of her head demanded. Biting her lips together, she wished she could just make a move, just kiss the man, but nothing in her past experience would let her move the few inches to close that gap between them.
“Is that all right?” His long fingers grazed the inside of her ankle and she gasped, electrified by the light touch. “Or?” His voice was a thrilling question as he leaned towards her, broad shoulders and biceps flexing against the seams of his shirt, his fingers still rubbing gentle circles along the hollow of her ankle, his eyes flashing with heat. "Would you rather I wasn’t being such a gentleman?"
She paused again, then bit her lips together, blushing, her voice low."You know, there's no way for me to answer that honestly without my not being ladylike. Would you rather not be such a gentleman?Because you're a guest in my home, so it's very important to me that you be comfortable." Her mouth felt dry, and blood was pounding in her ears. If he said he was playing the long game, she thought she might combust.
A smile played along the corners of his lips, and he stretched slightly to press them to hers, then gently drew her legs further across his lap so he could lean deeper into the kiss. He cradled her in his arms as she breathed into the soft pressure of his lips, matching his intensity as her skin shivered to life with gooseflesh.When his tongue parted her teeth, she allowed herself to stroke her fingers through his thick hair, gathering courage to let her fingertips slide down his throat, knowing that he was about to be her undoing.
He pulled back a little and kissed her cheek. "Is this okay?" he asked, his breath warm against her skin.
