Dating-ish (Knitting in the City #6)(50)

"Yes. I assumed it was rude." After a moment, he shook himself and I felt his eyes on me again.

"Didn't you ask your ex these questions?" I wondered aloud.

"No. We never talked about stuff like this."

"Really?" Now I was surprised. "Wait, stuff like what?"

"Man to woman stuff. What women or men want in general terms. We were both inexperienced when we met, so I'm not sure we knew."

"Oh." That made me frown. "Well, didn't she wear sexy clothes for you? And, more importantly, didn't you ever wear sexy clothes for her?"

"No. She didn't. And what is your meaning? Did I wear sexy clothes for her? What sexy clothes can men wear?"

"Suits." I grinned at him. "Finely tailored suits are the equivalent of a sexy black dress to women, or lingerie."

His eyebrows ticked up and his eyes widened. "Really?"

"Yep. It takes effort for a man to wear a nice suit. Just like it takes effort for a woman to dress up."

"So . . . it's the effort? That's sexy?"

Crawling on my hands and knees, I picked up my notes from the floor, careful to keep them in order. "I guess that's one way of looking at it."

Again I felt his eyes study me before he said thoughtfully, "You're already really sexy. I feel sorry for anyone who has to resist you in a black dress."

That made me laugh, especially the abstract tone of voice, like we were discussing AI Learning Theory, but it also made my neck hot. Suddenly, I was distinctly aware of how small his office was, and how I was currently positioned on my hands and knees, and how-if he stood and unbuckled his belt . . .

Whoa.

Settle down.

That thought process sure escalated quickly.

Suppressing the unbidden surge of sexy suggestions, I tossed him a mock-distrustful glance but couldn't quite lift my gaze to his. "You're just saying that so I'll make you more bread."

"You caught me." Matt's tone mirrored my mock-seriousness. But I also noticed his smile was weird, stiff, and he was blushing just slightly. The light shade of pink heating his cheeks made me wonder if he hadn't realized what he was saying, what his words sounded like, or what they revealed of his thoughts, until after he'd said them.

"Hey, look who it is."

I tore my eyes from Matt, finding Dr. Merek leaning against the doorjamb, eyes on me, a small smile tugging his mouth to one side. 

Sitting back on my ankles, I returned his grin. "Hello."

"What do you want?" Matt's tone was less than happy.

Dr. Merek's gaze moved to Matt briefly, narrowed, then returned to me. "Did you get everything you needed for your article?"

I opened my mouth to respond, but didn't get a chance.

"She did," Matt answered for me.

The older man inspected us both with unveiled surprise. "So you're here finishing up?"

"Yes. Almost finished." I gestured to my stack of papers. "Just tying up loose ends."

"We might go see a movie after," Matt said, causing me to send him a surprised glance over my shoulder. He ignored my probing look. "Then dinner," he added.

This was news to me.

Matt's eyes remained fixed on his colleague and both men were quiet for a protracted moment while I glanced between the two of them and attempted to decipher their odd staring contest.

Eventually, Dr. Merek cracked a smile and nodded subtly. "Oh, by the way, Greta is looking for you, Matt."

"Oh?" Matt stood, his entire demeanor changing in an instant. "Did the NVIDIA chip come in?"

"Yep."

Matt moved to where I was still sitting on the floor and offered me his hand, saying as he pulled me up, "Do you mind hanging out here for a few minutes?"

It was hard to miss the fact that he still held my hand even though I was now standing, or the fact that his thumb was brushing back and forth over my knuckles.

"Fine with me." I gave him a teasing smile, since we didn't actually have plans beyond lunch.

"Thanks." Before I realized his intent, Matt bent and placed a kiss on my cheek, squeezing my hand before letting it go and saying, "I'll be right back. And pick a movie."

I watched him dart out the door, Dr. Merek moving to one side to allow him to pass, then jog down the hall, his sneakers making light squeaking sounds as he went.

I turned, smiling to myself at Matt's strange behavior, then bent to pick up my papers and laptop, all the while feeling Dr. Merek's eyes track my movements.

Finally, he said, "What movie do you want to see?"

"The new Harry Potter movie."

He chuckled lightly. "I've seen it seven times already."

"Big fan?" I grinned.

"No. But my ten-year-old is."