Page 76 of An Engagement for Erica

The pretty little blush filling her face made him laugh. “Wasn’t that what you wanted?”

“Maybe,” she said quietly.

“And what’s this?” he asked of the plant in her hand.

“A housewarming gift,” she said. “They are easy to take care of.”

“They are tiny,” he said.

“Babies from my plants.”

“Oh,” he said, more touched than he realized he’d be. She’d given him something of hers. He was hoping he’d get more of her based on what she was wearing and how she was acting, but she’d have to be the one to make those moves.

He wasn’t assuming one damn thing.

“You have a lot of places you can put it,” she said, looking around his place. “Lots of light here. And you’re pretty much set up too.”

“The movers put everything in place,” he said. “And I didn’t have that much. My room was set up first and now I’m just putting things away in the kitchen. I didn’t realize how little I had until I put things away and saw the empty spaces.”

His bathroom closet was only a quarter full with towels and toiletries. He’d never had much space before.

He’d be lucky to fill up three cabinets in his kitchen with glasses, plates and containers.

His pantry was going to be all but bare.

“That is how I felt moving into my father’s house. You’d be surprised how quickly you can fill things up.”

“I’m going to put this in my office,” he said, moving to that room. Erica was right behind him.

“You’re set up in here,” she said.

“Easy enough to put a desk and chair in here,” he said. “I’ll get more furniture for it at some point. Lots of light on this windowsill. Thank you.”

He set the plant down and turned to open his arms and see if she’d walk into them.

She did.

He hugged her and she reached up to kiss him.

“You’re welcome,” she said.

She kissed him again, deeper this time.

Her hips moved closer again like they always did when they kissed.

She was testing him.

He wasn’t sure he was going to fight her off this time.

There didn’t seem to be a reason for it.

“Is there something you want?” he asked.

She stepped back and squinted one eye at him. “Are you really going to make me ask for it?”

He laughed. “No,” he said. “That is answer enough. I just wanted to be clear. Or make sure you were clear.”

“I’m not sure how much clearer I could get other than taking off this outfit that my sister put together.” Her hand slapped in front of her mouth. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”

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