Page 36 of An Unexpected Match

“Spontaneity.” He nodded.

He was close enough to touch. Close enough to feel the heat from his body invade her space. Arden swallowed hard and stepped back to find the counter at her back. He took another step closer.

“I wondered how long routine would last,” he said, reaching up to brush a tendril of hair off her cheek, tuck it behind her ear.

Arden’s knees threatened to give way.

“You did?” she squeaked, her gaze caught firmly in his. His eyes seemed to change from cool gray to a smokey silver that captivated.

“All last week on the phone you told me of the wild and definitely non-routine things you and my daughters did,” he said. “This week, everything seems different. Predictable, routine.”

“I thought you wanted that,” she said breathlessly.

Her skin felt too tight. The delicious tingling from the spot his hand touched swept through her.

“I like order, but not necessarily life without some imagination.”

“Oh.”

Had he taken all the air? Was that why she was having such trouble breathing?

“I like the idea of a picnic dinner. That’s innovative and sounds like something the girls will love.”

She nodded, her gaze dropping to his mouth, watching him talk. She wished he’d kiss her again. What could she do to let him know that without being totally out of line?

Probably nothing, but she’d think of something. She had to, or go slowly mad.

Not only the thought of a kiss would drive her insane, however, it was the way the man blew hot and cold.

“You’re confusing me,” she murmured.

He became still. “How so?”

Shrugging, she sidestepped around him until she was free.

“I don’t know what you expect, Brendan.”

Frowning, he slid his hand into the pocket of his trousers and looked at her.

“What do you mean?”

“Expect from me.”

“I want you to watch my children.”

“And is that all? Before you left, you kissed me like–”

She stopped. She didn’t need to tell the man it had been unlike any kiss she’d ever received.

“Well, it was really super. And then Saturday when my aunts were here and all-” she stopped again.

“A couple of kisses. Are you telling me you’ve never been kissed before?”

“No. It’s more than kisses. You called and talked every night you were gone. And not just about the children, though we started that way. Then Sunday I felt as if you’d ordered me to stay away don’t ask questions, don’t expect anything.”

“Arden, I don’t–”

She raised her hand. “That’s fine. I mean, whatever you want, just make it clear. But now, right now, I’m not sure what’s going on.”

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