“I’d say so.” He looked at Rachel. “Would you agree?”
“There’s still a few details to hammer out,” she said innocently.
“But we’re on track, I think,” he said. Oddly, he needed to hear her say it.
Rachel ran her hand through his hair. “I’d say we are.”
Lottie’s expression softened. “Well, okay then. But don’t give the neighbors a show. I’ve already gotten two texts about you two. And it’ll give Mr. Lewis across the street ideas, and I already have to ward off his hands in the produce aisle at the store.”
They watched her go back inside, and then they turned to each other.
He brushed her hair back from her face.
“I’ve never been kissed like that,” Rachel said, her eyes wide and vulnerable. “I’m sure you—”
“I’ve never had a kiss like that either,” he interrupted before she could finish that thought. “I’ve never been fond of kissing.”
“Well, you do it really well for someone who’s not fond of it.”
“I think that’s you.” He pressed a kiss to her neck, and then because he couldn’t resist, he kissed a little lower, just above where the neckline of her shirt started.
She hummed, stretching against him. “I may melt. Is that possible?”
“It seems to be that anything is possible with us, love,” he murmured. He kissed his way back up her neck and then propped himself up with his palms on either side of her. “Go out with me. A proper date, where I pick you up, and you wear a dress, and we flirt over food.”
She flashed a crooked smile at him. “And then you’ll take me home and hope to get lucky?”
He dropped a kiss onto her forehead. “If you go out with me, I’m already lucky.”
The humor faded from her expression, and she studied him, her gaze hopeful and, underneath, a little scared. “And then what happens? Are you still leaving in a couple weeks?”
“Would that change anything?” he asked, curious.
She made a face. “If you say it’s better to have loved and lost than never loved at all, I’ll sock you.”
“I don’t believe in losing. I always play to win.” He cupped her face. “Except for the first time, I’m not sure how long the winning will last. But if it’s only for two weeks, I’d rather have you for that long than not at all.”
He waited, watching her mull that over. Finally, she nodded. “I’d love to go out with you. Friday?”
He didn’t want to wait that long to see her again—it felt like time was ticking away from them—but he didn’t want to pressure her, so he nodded. “What time should I pick you up?”
“Seven.” She winced. “You know I’ve had to work late, but the presentation is Friday, so I don’t think I’ll have to stay past five. I’ll make sure I’m on time. But my promotion depends on this project, so I just want to be up front about that.”
“That’s fine.” He dropped a kiss onto her forehead. “I know the promotion is important to you.”
“I’ve worked so hard for it,” she said, her voice soft. But the emotion behind it was loud and clear. “I hate the games my boss is playing, but I can see the prize in sight. You know how you say you’re a winner? I want to be a winner too.”
“You already are.” He sat up and helped her back to sitting, keeping hold of her hand. “Tell you what. Text me if you’re late and we’ll shift things around.”
She pursed her lips. “You don’t mind?”
“Of course not. Your work is important to you.”
Shaking her head, she said, “Hot, successful, andnice. Can you really be this perfect?”
“Darling, I’m hardly perfect.” He chuckled, enjoying the light feeling in his chest. He’d told her who he was, and she hadn’t freaked out. More than that, she’d agreed to go on a date with him. Talk about winning.
Ten