His husky words hit her in the chest, then dropped between her legs, where they tightened and burned. “Happy. Um…excited.”
“Yeah?” He pulled into the parking lot of the grocery store and dropped his hand to her leg again, higher on her thigh. “How excited? Enough to make you wet?”
“Yes. Even enough to make me”—she bit her lip—“touch myself.”
He braked in the middle of the row and crooked a finger under her chin, lifting it. His green eyes had gone dark. “Excellent. Do you have to study tonight?”
Was he asking her if she was free? “No more school until January fourteenth.”
“This day just keeps getting better.” He diverted his attention long enough to pull the car into an empty spot. “Then let’s get you into the store so you can grab your groceries. Unless you’d like to go out to dinner. I’d love to take you somewhere.”
Heavenly wished she could say yes. But duty—and reality—called. “I’d love to go out, but I’ve got to, um…get some stuff done around the house and look in on the older man who fell. I’m also exhausted after a long week of work and finals. I’m not sure I’d be great company right now.”
“How about a rain check?”
She felt a goofy smile spread across her face. “That would be great.”
“Tell me when you’re free, angel.”
“I’m starting a new waitressing job tomorrow night. But I’d love to see you in the afternoon.”
“Where are you working? I could hang out and keep you company.”
Heavenly tried not to flinch. “No place you’d want to go. Loud, crazy restaurant with unruly brats. Besides, I’d die if you saw me in that ridiculous getup.”
“I’m sure you’ll look adorable, but I won’t make your job harder. How about if I call you in the morning and we make plans?”
“Perfect.” She had to be beaming—and she didn’t care. She was going on a second date with Seth Cooper, whose charm and swagger made her flutter and tingle. “Thanks for the ride here. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
As she reached for the handle of the door, Seth wrapped his fingers around her arm. “How about some company while you shop?”
Heavenly froze. What could she possibly buy without breaking the bank except a few more packages of ramen? Maybe eggs and some generic oatmeal. But that wouldn’t look like dinner to Seth.
“You don’t have to. I’m sure you have better things to do with your time.”
“I came to be with you. Why don’t you let me keep you company? Hell, I’ll even push the cart.”
How could she say no to that? Impossible, so she’d just have to grab a few things, make excuses, and scurry home. “Sure. Thanks.”
With numb fingers, she pushed her way out of the vehicle and stood. Instantly, her feet protested. At least her sandals were more comfortable than her work shoes. But it still seemed crazy that she was wearing flip-flops days before Christmas.
Suddenly, Seth was beside her, locking the car with the fob in one hand and tangling their fingers together with the other. She looked down at their clasped hands, then up to his confident grin. For a moment, she could almost pretend she was like any woman spending time with a guy who liked her, free to see where the attraction led them…
She really liked the feeling.
Inside the store, Seth grabbed a cart. Grocery shopping with him felt weirdly domestic. She’d done this chore alone for so long, usually clutching the store’s flyer and a handful of coupons. In fact, she almost never came here because the prices were higher, so she didn’t know where anything was. Maybe if she kept him talking he wouldn’t realize she was lost.
“So…when are you going back to New York for the holidays?”
He shrugged. “I’m actually thinking about staying.”
Could that possibly have anything to do with her?
Don’t be ridiculous…
“Well, you can’t beat the weather,” she remarked.
He slid his arm around her, anchoring it on her hip. “I can’t beat the company, either.”
Heavenly floated up the first aisle. “There you go, flirting again.”
“With you? Always.”
Their conversations were easy—unlike her intense exchanges with Dr. Beckman. And sometimes, she got the feeling the brilliant surgeon was saying one thing to her but meant something else entirely. He fascinated her…and she didn’t know what to do about the potent, one-sided attraction.
“Have you talked to Raine since the party?” Heavenly asked.
“I had breakfast with the three of them this morning. She’s doing great.”
Heavenly was relieved but not surprised. After all, sassy Raine lived with two loving men. Come to think of it, a similar relationship might solve her own problems. Then she’d never have to choose between the two men who flipped all her switches. She could wake up beside them every morning with smiles and kisses, spoil them rotten all day, then crawl into bed with them each night and crook her finger when she wanted them to touch her…