Page 11 of Cognac & Cornflowers

He took his phone out and tapped her number in as she told it to him. A few moments later, her phone beeped in her bag. He smiled. “That’s a text from me. You have my number now, too. If you want it.”

“Thanks.”

He took a step toward her, and her knees felt as though they might buckle under her. The man just emanated sex appeal. She might not be that kind of girl, but for him, she had no doubt she could be – and perhaps that had been her problem.

He brought his hand up to cup her cheek and looked down at her lips. “There’s no mistletoe this time – no excuses. This is just me, asking if I can kiss you.”

She nodded breathlessly and leaned into him, prepared to give – and take – whatever he wanted. He pressed another chaste peck to her lips and then stepped back. She had to force herself to open her eyes, and when she did, she found him smiling.

“I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Okay.”

“I’d like to follow you home – not because I’m a creep who’s stalking you, but because it’s late and I want to make sure you get there safely. Is that okay with you?”

Her heart melted a little bit at that. “It is, and thank you.”

He watched her get into her car and caught hold of the door before she pulled it shut.

“I’ll do better next time, Becca.”

She had to smile. She reached out and touched his hand briefly. “Me too.”

Chapter Four

“Are you sure you’re all right?”

Jacob cocked an eyebrow at Xander. “I am. Why?”

Xander laughed. “I don’t know. You’re … different.”

“What kind of different?”

“Well, for starters, you’re smiling more. And there’s the little detail of you spending the evening babysitting Ava. I get that you wouldn’t want to come out with everyone – that’s beneath you. But I’d have expected you to have a date in the city or to have one of your women over here before you willingly spent your Friday night with an eight-year-old and a puppy.”

“Ava’s a good kid. And Hannah and Grady wanted to go out with everyone tonight. So …” He shrugged.

“Don’t get me wrong. I think it’s great. If you want to know the truth, I’m a bit jealous that Ava keeps telling everyone how awesome her Uncle Jacob is. I mean, she’s got Uncle Xander now, too.”

Jacob laughed. “It’s only because I’ve known her for a while now. She only just met you.”

“I know. I just … you’ve changed. And … I like it.”

“Thanks.”

Jacob checked his watch. “I should get going. I told Grady that I’d be at the cottage before you arrive to pick them up, so that Ava and I can get settled before they leave.”

“Okay. I’ll be right behind you. Slade just called to say he’s five minutes out. Mind if I ask you something before you go?”

“What’s that?”

“What happened with the schoolteacher?”

“Becca?”

Xander grinned. “Yeah. Unless there’s another schoolteacher on your radar that I don’t know about.”

Jacob made a face at him. “No. She’s the only one.”

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