Page 28 of Caught Up In You (The Monroes 2)

Okay, the man found ways to make simple conversations sound so amazingly erotic. “Don’t you have somewhere else you should be?” she asked.

“Why would you say that?”

With a shrug, she said, “Because it’s a weekend. You’re a single guy. Just curious why you’re here.”

“Because I don’t want to be anywhere else.”

Cora shivered despite the warm winter evening. He was making this whole not-crossing-the-professional-line thing hard to maintain. Was he trying to get under her skin on purpose? Most likely. Was it working? Absolutely.

“And you said you needed a friend,” he went on. “I would do the same for any of my friends. Then I’d expect payment in the form of pizza and beer, but since you’re new in town and without a steady income for the next few weeks, I’ll treat this time.”

This time. He made it sound as if there would be many more times to come. Fine. Pizza and beer worked amongst friends . . . right? So what slot did she place that kiss she was still reeling from?

Diving back in over and over to relive that kiss wasn’t going to make this situation any easier. Focus.

“I happen to love pizza, but I don’t have any beer.”

“Let me take care of everything. But I’d like to take you somewhere.”

Cora jerked, surprised they weren’t just ordering something in. “I’m not really dressed for an outing and the lunch the other day kind of ruined my mood for going out.”

“Forget what happened the other day,” he scolded. “And you’re fine for what I have in mind. Just throw some shoes on and I’ll call in our order. What do you like on yours?”

“Pizza is amazing no matter how it’s served,” she stated. “I can’t remember the last time I had it, actually. Just surprise me.”

“Go get your shoes and meet me back on the porch.”

Cora took hold of Heidi and headed back inside. She had no clue why she was so giddy. This wasn’t a date, this wasn’t even close. It was two friends getting together for pizza and beer. Couldn’t get much more casual than that.

After finding her simple ballet flats right where she left them at the back door, she and Heidi went back through the house, feeling her hand along the hall wall. She wondered where Braxton was taking her, but since she really hadn’t met too many people in town and she was so comfortable with him, she was just excited to be getting out. She grabbed her key from the hook right beside the door.

“Ready to go?” he asked when she stepped back out onto the porch.

Cora nodded. “Will I need my purse?”

“Not tonight.” Braxton brushed by her and pulled the door shut. “I got it.”

When his hand slid over hers, she jumped. Stupid to be that way, but old habits and all that. Eric never liked Heidi and would often grab her to get her attention. Eric and Braxton were on opposite ends of the male species spectrum.

And why was she comparing the two? She refused to marry one and the other was her new friend and boss. So, no. No more comparing because both men were off-limits in the personal territory.

And definitely no comparing of the two men and how differently they kissed her. Nope. Not going there.

By the time they picked up the pizza and beer, Cora still hadn’t gotten out of him where they were going. But the windows were down, her hair was blowing in the comfortable breeze, and Braxton had cranked up a familiar heavy metal tune . . . her parents would absolutely hate this entire scenario.

Part of her wanted to throw caution to the wind and act on this attraction simply to spite her parents. But she was realistic and she wasn’t vindictive. She liked Braxton so she could never use him in such a catty way and she had more self-respect than that. The next man she got involved with would have nothing to do with her parents’ approval. As of right now, she wasn’t looking for anyone to fulfill her life. She was loving being on her own, loving how independent she could be.

Ignoring those insecurities was becoming easier. They still hovered in the back of her mind, but she had to take everything one day at a time. And right now, this evening was turning out to be absolutely wonderful.

“That’s a good look on you,” Braxton commented.

Cora shoved her hand in her hair to pull it away from her face as she spoke. “What look?”

“Your hair all wild, your smile. You act like you haven’t a care in the world. Much different from the woman who answered her door earlier.”

Cora laughed. Yeah, that’s because earlier she was dealing with her past that wouldn’t let go.

“Maybe it’s the company. You’re really the only friend I have here. Well, I would consider Sophie a friend. She’s gone above and beyond what a Realtor should do.”

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