“Yes, but I’m not knowledgeable.” Now she wished she was. It would have provided them with a safe, neutral topic of conversation at a moment when she badly needed it. “Are you a collector?”
“It’s an interest of mine.”
“That’s why you chose to live in this area?”
“One of the reasons. Then there’s the fact that I like the view, and it’s close to my office. I’m not a big fan of commuting.”
The mention of his office reminded her that she owed him an apology. “Listen, about today…” She slid onto one of the stools by the granite counter, feeling uncomfortable. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For showing up at your office with Brutus and—”
“And embarrassing me?”
She caught a glimpse of his smile before he turned and reached for his wine. “You didn’t seem embarrassed.”
“Trust me, it’s going to take a while to live that experience down. It’s the first time a woman I’m seeing has shown up at my office. And you shouldn’t apologize. You were angry, and you had every right to be. Still do.”
She was about to say that she wasn’t seeing him, and then realized how ridiculous that would sound. She was sitting in his apartment, her hair still wet from the shower she’d taken in his bathroom. And then there was that kiss. The fact that neither of them had mentioned it didn’t change the fact that it hovered between them. If anything, not mentioning it increased its significance.
“You carried my sick dog to the vet. Right now you can pretty much do anything and I’d think you were a hero.”
“I’m not a hero, Molly.” The way he was watching her made her heart beat faste
r.
“The first time I saw you, I thought I had you sorted. I thought I knew who you were. It was the dog that threw me. You didn’t seem like the type to own a dog, and that really nagged at me.”
“There’s a type?”
“Yes. A dog is a responsibility and you didn’t strike me as a man who ties himself down.”
“Smart.”
“My instincts told me you were all about the light and the superficial.”
“I seem to remember I told you that, too.”
“Yes, and yet tonight, with my dog sick—what you did— what you’re doing—those aren’t the actions of a man who is superficial.” She broke off and met his gaze.
And then he smiled. “Don’t kid yourself. I helped with Valentine because I thought you’d be so grateful you’d get naked with me.”
“You want me to sleep with you out of gratitude?”
“As long as you’re naked, I don’t care about your motivation.”
She knew he was teasing her and it made her laugh. “You’re outrageous.”
“So is that a yes?”
“You’d take advantage of an emotionally vulnerable woman?”
“Definitely.” He topped up her wine. “But it won’t hurt to get you drunk, too, to make sure I’m covering all bases. Drunk, emotionally vulnerable women are my favorite type.”
“I don’t believe you for a moment. I think you’re a decent, honorable guy.”
“Damn. What gave me away?”