Heat sent her senses galloping. “It has not, and stop calling it that.”
“Okay. Your sweet mouth has been wanting another taste all day.”
She almost keeled over.
“I do like those high-collared blouses you wear.”
She looked down at herself.
“Makes me want to undo all the little buttons and see how you manage with my kisses against your bare throat. Curious about what scent you place there, too.”
Her eyes widened.
He smiled. “No?”
“No.”
“Okay. Just something for you to think about later. Do you want the legs or the wings?”
Her mind was stuck like it had stepped in tar. How in the world was she going to remain unmoved by his teasing ways without wanting to box his ears or wonder how his kisses would feel against bare throat? “I’ll take the wings.”
“We have only one set of flatware. Shall I feed you or do you want to feed me?”
Scandalized by the suggestion, she forced herself not to glance around to see how closely they were being observed. “Neither,” she said. “I’ll have the wing. You can eat the rest.”
“Thought I’d ask.”
They ate in silence, sharing the occasional glance. Him smiling. Her not.
Regan walked up. “How are you two?”
He replied, “We’re fine. At least I am. Your sister’s managing, I believe.”
Portia wanted to punch him in the nose.
Regan said, “I told him about your garters catching fire, Portia.”
Portia choked on a bite of chicken and before she could punch her sister in the nose, the smiling Regan walked back towards the house.
“I like her,” he said.
“Then maybe you should direct your attention her way.”
“I prefer the challenge of you.”
In response, her body bloomed like a rose opening to the sun.
As if oblivious to his effects on her, he added, “So, now we have two items on your management list: me kissing your throat and your garters catching fire. Are you writing all this down?”
She firmed her lips to keep her smile hidden. “No. I think I can remember.”
“You sure?”
They were so close to each other she could feel the kiss about to come. “If you kiss me in front of all these people, I will hit you so hard you’ll wake up in Florida.”
He laughed with such gusto he fell back on the blanket. Her humor died upon seeing Rhine watching them from a few feet away. “Here comes Uncle Rhine.”
He sat up and was still smiling when Rhine arrived.