My heart is near bursting. This woman is all I want. “Out front.”
She lifts on her toes and presses a quick kiss to my lips before she dashes from the kitchen.
The cleaning lady grins at me. “Beautiful girl.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I wait for her to finish cleaning, then I put out all the breakfast items, grab the blankets, and go out to my truck. I drive to my restaurant to get ready for lunch service at the studio.
It’s late again, and I’m waiting out front. I’ve already had a long conversation with the security guard. He was really sorry for locking us in, and the phone in the break room has been fixed. It turns out the break room is the only camera-free zone in the studio, so he didn’t see us.
At least that’s a blessing. I can only imagine the fallout if there was a tape of the break room from last night.
I’m lost in my thoughts when Grace calls good night to the director. She scans the parking lot, and when her gaze settles on me, she smiles.
As a grown man, I should not be smitten by a pretty blonde with a beautiful smile. Yeah, I’m done for. It’s best to just admit defeat. I’m so far gone there’s no coming back. All I have to do is convince Grace that we’re more than a holiday-movie fling.
I meet her halfway to my van, and before she has time for doubts, wrap her in a hug. “How’d it go today?”
She slides her hands around my back and presses her cheek to my chest. “Well, it’s only eight thirty, and I’m done for the night.”
The light lilac scent of her hair warms me. “Not exactly what I meant, but I’m glad you got a reprieve from too long a night.”
“Would you have waited if it was as late as last night?” She’s frozen in place waiting for my answer.
I kiss the top of her soft hair. “I’d have waited, Grace.”
She snuggles closer. “You’re a nice man.”
All the tension I’ve been holding eases. “So, no regrets that I wasn’t more of a gentleman last night?”
With a snort-laugh, she pushes back and looks me in the eyes. “Did it seem like I was after good behavior when I stepped out of the bathroom in my underwear?”
I take her hand and kiss her fingers. “I just wanted to make sure. By the way, you looked delectable in those panties.”
“What’s the plan for dinner? I’m starved, chef.” She grins and blushes.
“I know a place. It’s not fancy. I figured you’d prefer casual after a long day.”
“Good figuring.” She looks down at her jeans and red blouse.
“You look beautiful.” It’s hard to remember what I want to say because I want to kiss all the worry off her face. “Do you want to follow me, or should we take one car?”
“Where are we going?”
“I know a great place to get a burger near my house in Venice.” I don’t want her to get the wrong idea. “You don’t have to come to my house. I don’t want you to think I’m backing you into a corner.”
“How about I follow you home?” She kisses my cheek and walks to her metallic-blue compact car a few spots over.
I wish there was a dictionary for deciphering things women say. I laugh at myself as I get in my van, and make sure she’s behind me as I exit the studio gate. It’s a forty-five-minute drive, and with traffic, it takes a bit longer. Plenty of time to worry that I’m making a mistake taking her to my neighborhood instead of finding out where she lives and staying near her house.
Too late now, I pull into the driveway of my house, a few blocks off the beach.
She jumps out of her car and stares up at my Spanish-style bungalow. “You must make a fortune with catering and the restaurant. Holy shit.”
I extend my hand, palm up. “Want to see it, or go eat first?”
The rumble in her stomach answers before she can.
I laugh. “I guess we eat. Do you mind walking a couple of blocks?”