Complications(5)

Alex heard her sharp intake of air and smiled. She was starting to blush and he watched, completely fascinated. Besides her, he didn’t remember the last time he saw a woman blush. Olivia opened her mouth and said, “I…I’m not…” she took a deep breath and asked incredulously, “Are you joking?”

Alex frowned at her defensive tone. “No, not at all. I’m completely serious.” He paused, watching as her brows furrowed. “Did I offend you?”

Her lips parted again and she blew out a short breath. Sighing, she slowly shook her head, “No, of course not. I’m sorry. It’s just…it’s been a long day.”

“Which gives me more of a reason to take you out. And if you’re lucky, you may even get a massage out of it,” he responded, keeping his tone teasing and light. He didn’t want to scare her off again.

Her eyes crinkled a bit as a small, almost reluctant amused smile crossed her lips. Alex felt relief as he watched it appear. “Oh really?” she asked, her tone playfully skeptical.

Alex grinned and leaned his forearms on the counter, “I’m told I have amazing hands.”

“I have no doubt,” she murmured and Alex felt a rush of heat head straight for his cock.



“So it’s settled then. Dinner and a massage are in order,” he replied, his throat suddenly tight. He was imagining kneading the soft flesh of her ass…imagining brushing his lips over the small of her back.

She looked like she was just about to cave, but then she shook her head. “I can’t. I’m sorry. I still have to clean up the back and close up…” she paused, looking like she wanted to say something else. “And to be completely honest, I just got out of a relationship. I’m not looking for anything else right now.” She looked embarrassed, but all he felt was relief. So she definitely wasn’t seeing anyone…at least anymore.

“It’s just dinner, darling. I’m not looking for anything serious either. But that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy each other’s company,” he replied smoothly. She was still biting her lip, so he added, “And I’ll even help you clean up the kitchen.” He caught her gaze and held it. He smiled even though he was oddly nervous. He didn’t fully comprehend why her answer was so important to him. But, without a doubt, he wanted—no, needed—her to say yes. Then, out of nowhere, her stomach rumbled. Her face immediately burned bright red while he smiled teasingly. “I’ll take that as my answer.”

“Oh, alright,” she said in a low voice, turning her face away from him, clearly still embarrassed. Her cheeks were an enticing shade of pink and the way she nibbled at her lip nervously was not putting an end to his fantasies. “But you don’t need to help me clean. I’ll be done in an hour or so. Maybe I should just meet you somewhere afterward.”

Those big eyes of hers found his and he knew right then that her suggestion wouldn’t work for him. He wanted to be around her as long as possible. And, in the back of his mind, he figured she would talk herself out of having dinner with him. “I’ve been known to wash a dish or two. But if you’re one of those territorial kitchen people, then I can keep you company at the very least.”

Her lip twitched and she raised a brow. “Territorial kitchen people?”

“Yeah, you know, those people who hate it when other people rummage around their kitchen. My aunt is like that. Hell, I’m even like that. There’s nothing worse than trying to find dried oregano in your spice cabinet and you find it with the olive oil.” He smiled teasingly, trying to break the ice he sensed around her.

Her face transformed when she smiled. And it wasn’t the fake smile she used with her customers. It was genuine and purely beautiful. “I’m just surprised you know what dried oregano is. And that you even have olive oil.” Her tone was almost shy, but she was looking at him in a way that sent more heat flooding straight down to his cock. Her chin was tipped down and she gazed up at him under her thick fringe of eyelashes. Shit, he’d give anything to be on the receiving end of that look all the time.

This was fucking ridiculous. She was making him hard talking about dried oregano.

His gaze heated as it dropped briefly to the curve of her breast. “Oh, olive oil has its uses.” His tone was casual, but he knew she understood the double meaning of his words. Something flashed over her features. Desire. He stared at her, amazed—and aroused—by how easy she was to read. He was glad the counter was separating them, because she wouldn’t be able to miss the bulge in his slacks had she been right in front of him. He needed time to compose himself before she shut down on him again. “So, I’ll start in the back and you can close up out here.”