Without another word, China headed back to the kitchen. She searched for the hot pads. Her hands trembled at her first try at taking the heavy pan out. Payton had rattled her. She didn’t like it. Control was something she usually managed to maintain, had needed to keep a tight grip on since her brother had left. Someone had to. China took a deep breath and tried again, successfully. This time she sat the pan on the granite counter top with a thump.
Done, she looked up to find Payton standing behind her. She hadn’t seen him enter the kitchen but she known he was there just the same. The fresh smell of soap and something that was Payton’s alone circled around her.
He leaned over her shoulder to study the golden brown pastry. “Mmm, looks and smells perfect.”
She couldn’t disagree. “It does look amazing. Impressive, in fact.”
He stepped around her and pulled out a basting spoon from a drawer. She’d moved but she’d had to touch him to do so. That she refused to do.
Payton only wore a pair of buff-colored slacks, no shirt and no shoes. A towel hung around his neck. She’d never been more aware of a man in her life.
He dipped the spoon into the juice at the bottom of the pan and brought it to his lips. She watched as his tongue reached out for the fluid. “Perfect,” he breathed. “Want a taste?”
She knew he was talking about the liquid but her focus was on his lips.
“China,” he said in a soft, rusty voice, “stop looking at me that way. I don’t think you want all the staff at the clinic to find us sprawled across the kitchen counter. Which is going to happen in about three seconds if you don’t stop.”
She blinked and pushed back, which made her brush his bare chest. The sound of the spoon dropping to the pan came just before Payton’s hand caught her upper arm and pulled her gently back toward him.
“Let’s see if what we were both thinking is true,” he whispered just before his lips met hers, gently at first. But he soon pressed deeper. Payton tasted of beef and salt. His lips requested and promised something wonderful at the same time.
China stepped closer, bringing her hands up to Payton’s waist in the hope that there she’d find a way to steady herself. She opened her mouth and Payton accepted the invitation. She wrapped her hands more tightly around his waist, enjoying the warmth of his skin. His arms held her securely. He entered and retreated and entered her mouth again. Heat and desire rose in her until she was sure the earth had tipped out of orbit.
Bit by bit her hands ran across the planes of his back as Payton deepened the kiss.
At the sound of the doorbell chiming, China jerked away and out of his hold. “I’ll get that while you dress.”
Payton chuckled. “Saved by the bell. This time. China, don’t think for one minute this is over. I will kiss you again. That’s a promise.” He headed toward his bedroom.
“Not if I don’t want you to.”
Payton stopped, turned and looked at her before he said, “But you do.” Just as abruptly he turned again and walked off.
She groaned. Heaven help her, he was right. She did want him to kiss her again. But she wouldn’t let him.
CHAPTER SEVEN
PAYTON WAS PLEASED that his dinner party was turning out to be such a success. Doris and Jean had arrived together. Both had given China suspicious looks when he’d stepped into the room fresh from the shower. Neither woman said anything but he could tell that China was uncomfortable about what they might be thinking. To ease her worries he came right out and said, “I asked China to come early and help me with the preparations. She was a great help.”
He winked at China. Her cheeks turned rosy.
By the time Robin and Luke arrived and then Larry and his wife, the party was in full swing. He couldn’t remember attending a more boisterous and loud social gathering outside the frat parties he’d gone to in college.
When Doris and then Jean asked if they could see his place, he took everyone on a tour. He noticed that China brought up the rear when they changed rooms. It wasn’t until the group reached his bedroom that she stepped out of the crowd. She went over to the Hawaiian ti, which he’d placed close to the window. She lovingly touched a leaf before looking at him.
He smiled and she returned it with warmth in her eyes. It was as if they were sharing a special secret. Somehow it made him stand taller. As if making China happy made him happy.
“Man, you have a beautiful view,” Larry’s wife remarked.
“Yes, I do.” He was looking at China instead of out the window.
“Okay, enough of this girly stuff. Let’s eat. I’m starving,” Luke stated.
“I have to get things on the table,” Payton said. He’d finished the salad and potatoes while China, Doris and Jean had enjoyed the view from the porch. China had offered to help but he’d declined it.
She assisted him placing the food on the table after he’d called that dinner was ready. The conversation during dinner was lively and everyone was complimentary about his culinary skills. A couple of times he looked down the table to see China watching him. It hadn’t passed his notice that she hadn’t chosen to sit beside him. She was on Luke’s right and Robin sat to his left.
Over dessert everyone laughed and told bad medical jokes. He watched as China lifted a spoon full of trifle to her mouth. His groin tightened at the thought of kissing those lips again. As if she’d sensed his interest, she glanced at him as she pulled the spoon from her mouth. Was she teasing him or enjoying the trifle? Either way, he was turned on. That was something he’d not been in some time. It felt good to lust after a woman again. And hunger for China he did. More so every day.
Near eleven, Larry pushed back from the table and said, “I hate to be the one to bring this party to an end, but I have to work tomorrow, unlike some others in this room.” He looked pointedly at Payton.
“I appreciate that and will think of you while I’m sailing.”
Larry stood and smiled at him. “You know, I’m not sure I like you despite your ability to cook.”
Payton rose and walked to the front door with Larry and his wife.
“We enjoyed it, man,” Larry said, as he shook Payton’s hand.
“Glad you did. Come again.” Payton meant it. He liked having people around. He’d pushed them away when he’d been sick and had never really appreciated dinner parties even before that.
Doris and Jean came up behind him. “We’ve got to go, too. Thanks for having us.”
“Anytime. I’ll see you both on Monday.”
“I’ll see you on Monday, too,” China said, as she joined them on the way out the door.
“You’re not staying to help clean up?” Payton asked in mock surprise.
Before she could answer Robin said, “I can. I’m a great dishwasher. China, would you mind giving Luke a lift home? He rode with me.”
At Payton’s stricken look China said in a too-cheerful voice, “Not at all.”
“Great. Then I’ll get started,” Robin said, turning toward the kitchen.
“Luke, I’m ready when you are,” China called.
“I’ll be right there.”
China had stepped out on the porch when Payton grabbed her elbow. “Go sailing with me tomorrow,” he said, low enough that only she could hear.
“No.”
“Why not? Scared?”
“Of what?”
“Being alone with me. Don’t trust yourself, do you?” Payton said, close enough to her ear that it might look like he was kissing it.
“I’m not afraid of you,” China hissed.
“Then maybe you’re afraid you’ll jump my bones.”
She moved away and said in an indignant voice, “I am not. Where did the let’s-be-friends rule go?”
“What’re you two talking about?” Luke asked, striding up to them.
>
“Nothing. Come on, it’s been a long day.” China started down the stairs. Luke shrugged as he went by Payton and followed China.
If he let her leave without her agreeing to go sailing there would be no way to convince her over the phone. He had to get her agreement in person. “Hey, China, wait a minute.”
She stopped halfway down and turned to look at him. As if Luke was his wing man, he said to China, “I’ll wait for you in the car.”
Payton stepped down to her. “I’ve decided rules are made to be broken. I’d really like to take you sailing as a thank-you for your help with the plants and dinner.”
“You don’t have to.” She moved down a step.
“I know you don’t, but I do. If you’re worried, I’ll kiss you again. Then you have my word as a gentleman that I won’t.” Even in the yellow glow of the porch lights he could see her warring to make a decision. “I promise you’ll have good time.”
“I’m not much for water sports.”
“If you don’t enjoy yourself, I’ll never ask again.”