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I took his hand, and it was as warm and firm as I'd expected. A little callused and rough, but just the right amount. The men I dated usually had softer hands. As he leaned in close, I caught a whiff of his woodsy, masculine scent.
I realized I was standing there gawking at him and squeezing his hand.
"Lana Murphy. I should, um . . ." I gestured at my car door and moved to open it again, accidentally bumping against Dylan.
He put his hand on my hip to steady me when I did. As I bent into my car to get the packages, I realized my ass was only inches away from him. My face heated in a blush.
"It wasn't all your fault," I said as I stood and tried to close my door with my elbow. "I was worried about being late too. Hate running behind. It makes me feel panicky, so I didn't notice you until it was too late."
That was such a lie. Part of the reason I hadn't been paying attention wasbecauseI noticed him. But it sounded reasonable, at least.
My purse slid off my shoulder again and hit the ground as it dangled from the long strap on my elbow. This unbalanced the hold I had on everything. I nearly dropped the casserole, which was uncomfortably warm on the bottom.
"Let me get that," he said softly, as he took the casserole and the wrapped gift from me in one smooth motion.
He kneed my door shut, bringing his body closer to mine. Our faces were only inches apart, his breath warm on my forehead.
I cleared my throat, pulse racing. "Th-thank you."
"My pleasure," he said, smiling down at me.
"You're here for the party?" he asked. "For David Easton?"
"Yes. Are you–" I hadn't put the names together. Probably because my brain was still recovering from how hot he was. "You must be one of his grandkids! He and my Grandpa James are close friends, so Grandpa invited me to come."
"We're going the same way then," he said, giving me a sexy, crooked smile.
His brown eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled like that, making my knees weak.
Get a grip, Lana.
I'd never felt so instantly attracted to anyone before, especially not to someone a little rough and rugged. I realized that meeting him might have opened up a whole new type for me.
"We are," I said, swallowing hard. "And we're both going to be late if we don't get in there."
I reached for the gift and casserole he'd saved me from dropping.
"I've got it," he said, stepping back so I could walk out from between our cars and head inside.
"Thanks," I said, almost giggling like a schoolgirl. "I guess chivalry isn't dead.”
He laughed. "What if I said the food smelled good, and I just didn't want to see you drop it on the ground?"
"I'd say that at least you're honest." I brushed off the bottom of my purse and hoisted it back onto my shoulder. "It's just boxed au gratin potatoes with a few extra things thrown in. If we're being totally honest and all."
"Better than what I would have had at home." Dylan winked at me, and my stomach fluttered. Lots of my parts fluttered.
When we reached the front door of Crystal Fountains Senior Home, despite carrying all my things, Dylan still managed to open the door for me.
I walked through the door and I glanced back to catch his eyes moving up quickly from my behind.
My face heated. He was checking me out. I’d never felt so damn giddy about a man ogling my ass.
The look on his face told me he liked what he saw and that he knew he’d been caught. But he held my gaze, a small smile playing on his lips.
I liked that he didn’t turn away and pretend that he wasn’t looking like most men would’ve done. Something about the way his confident eyes held mine was like a challenge.
Or a promise, I hoped.
