Page 16 of Fire and Ice
She took a drink of water and set her glass down. “What made you move from Seattle to Arizona?”
He shrugged. “Needed a change of pace.”
By the time they finished dinner, they had covered a wide range of topics. Chelsea shared stories of family fiascos as she raised her brothers and sisters, and Grady talked about his own colorful childhood.
“I haven’t had this much fun since I left behind my crazy family.” He laughed. “Never a dull moment back home. Here, it’s sure quiet in comparison.”
She dabbed at her mouth with a napkin before lowering it to her lap. “This has been the most enjoyable evening I can remember having in a long while.”
“Good.” Something heated his chest, warming his heart. “You need to enjoy yourself as often as possible.”
“You’re right.” She glanced up as the server arrived, and Grady followed her gaze.
“Dessert?” The server rattled off a number of decadent treats.
“A cannoli or tiramisu.” Grady glanced at Chelsea. “No Italian dinner is complete without one of those treats.”
“How about sharing tiramisu?” She smiled. “It’s my favorite.”
“That’s what we’ll have.” Grady nodded to the server. “One tiramisu to share, and I’d like coffee, decaf.” Chelsea ordered decaf, too.
The server departed, and Grady turned back to Chelsea. “I have a league game tomorrow night. Think you can make it?”
“I’ll be there a couple of hours before the game starts, coaching one of my most brilliant students.” She tucked stray hair behind her ear as she added with a teasing smile, “I can hang around.”
“Good.” He studied her. “I like the thought of you being in the crowd, cheering us on.”
Within fifteen minutes, the server returned with their dessert order. Chelsea and Grady ate it slowly. She seemed to want to draw out their evening as much as he did.
After they finished dessert and coffee, Chelsea looked around them. “We’re the last ones here.”
Grady put his hand over hers, enjoying the warmth of her skin. “That’s because I’ve enjoyed your company so much that I haven’t wanted to step foot out of this place.”
“Same here.” She turned her hand so that it was palm up against his. “I’ve had a wonderful time. I hate to see it end.”
He gave her a mischievous look. “It hasn’t ended yet.”
Her response wasn’t so much teasing as it was almost sultry. “It sure hasn’t.”
He gripped her hand before removing cash from his wallet and putting it in the check presenter. He stood and helped Chelsea scoot her chair back, took her hand, and assisted her to her feet. He helped her into her dressy coat before they exited the restaurant.
Grady touched the small of her back as they walked toward his SUV. A shiver ran through him when he put his fingers against her, and he wished her coat wasn’t between them.
He helped her into his vehicle, then went around to the driver’s side. After he climbed in and glanced at her, she looked almost shy.
“It’s getting late.” Her voice was soft.
“Don’t worry.” He reached out and traced his finger along her jaw. “I’ll get you home, safe and sound.”
“I know you will,” she whispered.
He wanted to kiss her and kiss her. Make both their minds spin. It was too awkward with the console between them, so he slid his fingers to her lips and felt the softness before he let his knuckles slide down her neck to her shoulder. He smiled and then put his hand back on the wheel.
* * *
Grady’s simple touch burned her through, and she wanted to be so close to him that he heated her from head to toe.
The minutes it took to drive from the restaurant to her house seemed to go by so slowly, yet too fast. She wanted Grady, and she knew he wanted her. But it was too soon to let it go beyond dinner.
