Page 33 of The Hard Hitter
In the distance, I spot Zander’s house. The outside lights are on, illuminating a path from the driveway to the front door, and I get a little warm inside to think he left them on for me. It’s been a long time since anyone has been eager to see me, or quite so considerate.
I pull into his driveway, kill the ignition, and adjust the tea towel beneath the pie before I scoop it up. Stepping from the car, I make my way up the long walkway. It’s so weird that I have butterflies in my stomach. I’ve been with him a few times already, yet for some strange reason, tonight I’m all jittery inside.
The door opens as I approach, and I nearly drop the pie when he leans against the doorjamb, looking hotter than hot dressed in his low-slung jeans and blue T-shirt that brings out the color of his eyes. Honest to God, he has the nicest eyes I’ve ever seen, and I love the way they’re watching me now as I approach.
“Hungry?” I ask, and lift the pie.
“Starving.” A slow, sexy grin curls up his lips as he looks the length of me. Tonight, I opted for a light summer dress with small buttons lining the front. It’s possible I picked it on purpose. I love how rugged, rough and impatient he gets when tiny button are involved. Then again, maybe he won’t even take the dress off me. Maybe he’ll bend me over his sofa, lift the hem over my hips and ride me hard. I gulp at that image, and work to keep my legs moving.
“Cherry?” he asks.
“Always cherry,” I say, using his words from earlier. “It’s also nice and warm. I timed it to come out of the oven seconds before I left the house.”
I reach him and he takes the pie from me, using the tea towel beneath it to prevent a burn. Not that it’s scalding anymore, it had time to cool down on the drive here. He backs up to let me in, and I lower my voice.
“Is Daisy asleep?”
“She’s not here,” he says. “She’s with her aunt for the night.” A storm moves into his eyes. “We have the
whole place to ourselves. We can do whatever we like. Make as much, or as little, noise as we want.”
“Oh,” I say, and my body practically vibrates at the innuendos. I’m about to turn to head to the kitchen when he snakes his arm around my waist and hauls me to him. His lips instantly find mine, and he kisses me with raw hunger. His tongue slides into my mouth, and I taste minty toothpaste.
He breaks the kiss, and I’m practically trembling. He runs the backs of his knuckles over my warm cheek. “I cooked for you. I hope you’re hungry.”
Two thoughts hit at the same time. One, I think back to the microwave meal I had many hours ago, and two, he cooked for me.
He cooked for me?
“I’m hungry,” I say. This guy might be tough, rugged and hard, but underneath it all, he’s kind and sensitive. I knew that from the first time I saw him with his daughter. There are many layers to this man, that’s for sure.
“Good, because we can’t live on pie alone,” he teases, and gives my ass a slap to set me in motion. I head to the kitchen and catch a whiff of something on the grill outside. “I thought it would be nice to have an adult dinner, with adult conversation for a change.”
“Mmm, what are you making”
“Steak. Wait, you’re a meat eater, right?” As soon as the words leave his mouth, an almost bashful look comes over his face, making him look so damn adorable, I can’t help but go up on my toes and give him a kiss.
He scrubs the back of his neck after I kiss him. “I’m not sure that came out right,” he says, and we both chuckle. “Let me try again. Do you eat beef?”
“I eat beef,” I say.
He gestures with a nod to the counter. “Do you want to make us a salad? The steaks are almost done.”
“Sure,” I say and glance at the supplies laid out for the salad. I expected to come here and get right down to sex. This is kind of…nice. I start washing and chopping the produce, and glance out the kitchen window to catch sight of Zander at the grill. I smile, feeling very comfortable in this house with him. I search his cupboard for a bowl and shake the vinaigrette before pouring it on the leafy salad. Zander pokes his head in through the back door.
“Medium well okay?”
“Perfect, exactly how I like my steak.”
“I thought we’d eat out here. It’s a nice night. The table is already set. Just bring the salad out when it’s done.”
I finish mixing the salad and step out into the warm night. I glance at the table, set for two, and warmth moves through me to think he had this all arranged before I showed up. I set the salad down and notice wine chilling in an ice bucket. Then I turn my attention to his big pool. I walk around it, dip my toe in.
“It’s warm.”
“We can swim later if you want.”
“I don’t have a suit.”