Kenzie sat at his side in the car and retrieved his jacket from her purse. Just as he feared, wrinkles spread over the expensive material. She tried smoothing it with her hands. “I’ll get it cleaned and return it to you.”
“You will not!” He nabbed it from her fingers.
She reached for it. “Seriously, it’s not a problem, Easton. I can take care of it, and you don’t have to worry. I know a guy who’s really good. He owns a shop on—”
“I think you should focus on what I will say when I have my first date.”
Kenzie’s eyes widened. He stared straight ahead, and she guessed it killed him to admit his weakness. She suppressed a smile, liking him this way, all vulnerable and humble. Somehow she didn’t think it would last long.
“Okay, fine. We’re on a deadline, so let’s meet at my place and decide on the location, which woman we’ll start with, and what you’ll say to get her thinking seriously about your proposal.”
“We’ll meet at my penthouse. Seven p.m. tomorrow. I will send the car for you.”
Arguing against his high-handedness seemed pointless. “I can get there.”
He reached across and placed a finger beneath her chin to raise it. “You are helping me. The least I can do is make it convenient for you. Are we agreed?”
She pressed her lips together. That one single touch, so inconsequential, sent shivers of delight coursing through her body. A desire to climb onto his lap came over her, and she just caught herself from following through with the desire.
“Um, sure. Okay. I’ll be ready.”
A short while later, he dropped her off at her house, and he stepped out of the car to wait while she unlocked the door. Kenzie marveled at how well mannered he was and how he treated her like a lady when he wasn’t looking to get some. So why did he find it a challenge to speak the right words when it came to charming a woman? Then she figured it out. Easton was probably straightforward when it came to business. He laid out the cards he intended to use to get what he wanted. He let his family’s power and money close the deal. Sure, it was a different approach, but he’d still let it cross over to dealings with women, and again, because of who he was, it had always worked. Who knew, maybe it still would when he came out and told his prospective brides about his plan. That remained to be seen, but she would help him with her gift for words either way.
As she started toward the house, he touched her fingers, and she stopped.
“Good night.” He cast his voice low, and it rumbled over her and caused all kinds of fantasies. Goodness, get a grip, Kenzie.
“G-Good night,” she whispered.
She pulled away and jogged up the steps to unlock the door. Once she’d opened it and strode in, she shut it quickly and leaned on the wooden panels, catching her breath. Tomorrow. She would get to see him again tomorrow. Now she needed to stop feeling so excited about it and get to work on some killer words.
Chapter Four
“I bought these for you.”
Her stupid heart skipped a few beats at the sight of the roses. She licked her lips and followed him into the penthouse. The bouquet must have been more than a dozen they were so heavy, and each was perfect. She sniffed the petals and moaned.
“See? I have some charm, don’t I?” He stood behind her and removed her jacket to hang in the hall closet.
Her heart sank. The gift wasn’t because he liked her but to prove her wrong. Damn the man. She sucked up the emotions and smiled, patting his arm. “I see. You did good.”
She laughed when he frowned as if he thought she patronized him. Well, at least she got a little of her own back. Easton walked farther into the apartment, and she trailed behind, taking in the layout. Every wall was decorated with beautiful paintings, and the furniture, tasteful and in rich earth tones, was a good choice for a bachelor’s pad.
“Did you design this or have someone come in?”
“You’re insinuating I have no design skills?”
She grinned and held up her hands. “I’m sure you have plenty you’re good at.”
His gaze flicked over her body, and she knew just where his thoughts went at her innocent statement. Girl, who are you fooling? That statement was not innocent.
“Mm, something smells good,” she hurried to say before he got any ideas. “What are you cooking?”
He hesitated and then offered her a seat on the sofa, then took the roses out of the room. When he returned, he sat down in the spot next to her. The brush of his thigh against hers had her squirming. She dug into her bag to find the notebook where she’d written down what she wanted him to say. Her hands shook, and she pretended to take longer to find what she needed than necessary. He laid a hand over hers, stilling it, and she knew she’d been found out. Men didn’t affect her this way. Sure, she’d been attracted to a few, but not this much.#p#分页标题#e#