Page 31 of Whatever You Want

I leaned back in my chair. “What makes you say that?”

“You don’t think I can’t tell that’s your subtle way of asking me what I do in my free time?”

I tipped back the rest of my wine, feeling a blush hit my cheeks. I was so busted.

“I’m sorry to disappoint you but I really was just curious about your eating habits.”

He threw his head back in laughter. “Let me put you out of your misery. I haven’t been celibate since my divorce, but I’m not out every night collecting notches for my bedpost either.”

It felt like all the air had left the room and my kitchen suddenly felt tiny.

“That’s good to know, but I’m sure you still embrace the bachelor life and all the perks that come along with it,” I said, going along with this silly conversation because, damn it, I was a little curious.

“That doesn’t happen as often as you think. And just to be clear, it’s been a while.” His head cocked to the side. “How about you? I shared with you, I think it’s only fair and square you do the same.”

“I’m flattered that you would think I even have a social life, let alone a love life.”

“Why’s that?”

“The only thing I’ve been focused on these past eighteen months, is raising my daughter and putting my life back together.” I shook my head and looked away. “Besides, trying to date would have been pointless. I can’t imagine there are a ton of men out there looking for a widowed, single mom. And truthfully, I’m not just looking for casual sex.”

I regretted the words the second they left my mouth. It was the last thing he probably wanted to hear, but it was the truth.

“Ava, you’re gorgeous. You don’t give yourself enough credit.” A thrill ran through me as he continued. “I also have to be honest with you. I’m glad you didn’t put yourself out there, otherwise there would probably be some other asshole sitting here right now instead of me.”

He took a casual sip of his drink as if he didn’t just lay it all on the line for me.

My eyes dropped to my plate, needing a few seconds to get my thoughts in order. I wanted to believe that I could do this flirting and dating thing, but part of me was scared. Logan seemed almost too good to be true, and I was afraid to get pulled under his spell.

“You really know how to flatter a girl,” I said, trying to go with the flow, and sound casual. But he could see right through me.

“Relax.” He reached for my hand across the table. “There are no expectations right now.” His thumb brushed over my wrist. “This dinner can be whatever you want it to be. It can be a dinner between friends, or a get to know you. I just want you to enjoy it.”

His warm eyes met mine, and I held his gaze. I might have been out of practice, but the connection was too strong to ignore what was happening between us.

“I want to get to know you better, Logan.”

“Good,” he smiled, “because I’m not going to lie and pretend that I want to be just your friend.”

I was headed into dangerous territory with this man. I needed to be careful because hearing him say that he wanted to be more than just my friend made me feel things I wasn’t sure I was ready for. But I liked Logan a lot, probably more than I should have.

“Let’s start with the get to know you.”

He released my hand and spread his arms out. “I’m an open book, ask away.”

“Tell me a few random facts.”

He scratched his cheek like he was thinking it over. “I like beer over hard liquor. I’d rather fish off the back of a boat than surf on a beach. My idea of relaxing is doing a project around the house and spending time with Brina.”

“Fishing.” I groaned. “Why am I not surprised? That last one though, is pretty sweet.”

“Your turn.” He picked up a sun-dried tomato and popped it in his mouth.

“You’re going to be disappointed, because I am the exact opposite of everything you just described.” I laughed. “I’m a city girl whose ideal vacation is to do absolutely nothing. Give me a beach chair, toes in the sand, and a margarita in my hand and I’m happy.”

“Opposites attract, right?” He flashed me a grin that made me want to reach across the table and kiss him. Instead, I took a sip of my wine and averted his gaze. I didn’t need to focus on his lips. Or remember how they were just the right amount of soft and firm. Or think about how much I wanted to feel them against my mouth again.

“They do sometimes,” I said, finally finding my voice.

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