Page 28 of 40 and Flirting (with Disaster)
“Why?”
He brushed a finger across the tip of her nose. “Because you’re you.” He started walking again, pulling her along with him. “But for tonight, the reason I came around was to invite you to a day on the lake for the Fourth.”
Her excitement at the invitation quickly fizzled at the timing. “I can’t,” she said, trying not to make her disappointment too obvious. “My son and his girlfriend are coming into town Friday for a week, and we already planned to spend July Fourth on the lake together.”
“Bring them along!”
Jamie’s enthusiasm made her smile, though that smile dimmed in the next moment. “Krista will be with us.” Somehow the idea of introducing Adam to Jamie didn’t bother her in the least, but her daughter spending time with him was another thing altogether.
They stopped at her car, and Jamie turned her to face him. “Iris…”
At his narrowed gaze, she swallowed hard. “What?”
His hand slid down her arm to tangle their fingers together. “Look, I know you’re a smart woman, probably far smarter than me, so you have to know I’m not just coming around because I have nowhere else to be.”
She would’ve protested, would’ve placed her fingers over those hard lips to halt the words she thought might be coming, but Jamie had effectively handcuffed her, holding one hand while the other carried her things from the office. And with the sudden lack of moisture in her mouth, talking was impossible.
“I want to spend time with you, Iris. I want to…” He seemed to swallow his words, then started again. “I want to get to know you, and not just because I want to be your friend.”
Yes, she knew that, even if she’d tried to deny it. She hadn’t been ready. She hadn’t wanted to acknowledge what was happening because she’d been scared. If she was honest with herself, she still was, but not nearly as much as she should be to protect herself.
“Jamie, I—” How did you admit you were a coward? She swallowed against a dry throat.
“I know the timing isn’t perfect,” he said. “I know you may not be prepared to move forward yet. And I won’t pressure you. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to spend time with you.”
She finally managed to squeeze out her greatest fear. “What if I’m never prepared?”
Jamie didn’t balk, though, and he didn’t seem disappointed, just shrugged. “Then you’re not, and I’ve gained a better friend than I could ever hope to have.” He used his free hand to brush the curls that covered her eye back, giving him an unobstructed view of her face. “But I’m betting that won’t be the case.”
He had far more confidence in her than she had in herself, at least where relationships were concerned.
Jamie broke the moment with that smile that always sent a zing through her. “Come on. We can cook out, swim at the dock, go out in my boat. It’ll be fun.”
“Even with Krista?” Her second biggest worry.
He winked. “She has to get used to me sometime.”
Iris nibbled at her bottom lip.
“Just ask the kids about it and get back to me, okay?” He shook their joined hands playfully. “I’d love someone to spend the holiday with.”
“Don’t you have Michael?”
“Yes, but Michael’s not as pretty as you.”
That feeling she’d had before, in the office, the good feeling, came surging back, and she smiled. Despite every objection that came to mind, underneath it all, she really wanted to do this. “Okay, let me talk to the kids and I’ll get back to you.”
“Sounds nice.” Jamie leaned in, and her breath caught in anticipation. He hadn’t kissed her on the lips since the night Baby’s foal was born, and despite her uncertainties, she’d missed it. Missed him. Missed the connection they’d seemed to have that night.
Jamie’s lips met hers, and she opened instinctively. Jamie dipped his tongue inside. The sound that left him had her heart racing—a groan, as if he had missed this too. As if she tasted better than he remembered. And if the way he devoured her was any indication, both of those things were true.
After far too few minutes—and probably far too many, considering they were standing out in full public view—Jamie drew back. He was breathing heavy, and the sound brought a smile to her lips. He smiled too.
“Let me know,” he said, the words hoarse, then turned toward his car. Iris watched him walk away, anticipation and flat-out lust sizzling in her veins. That kiss had thrown all her caution out the window. She hoped her kids were ready, because she couldn’t wait to spend the day with Jamie on the lake, and she didn’t think any objections would keep her from it.
She didn’t stop smiling the entire drive home.
Fourteen
