Daughters Of The Bride(61)
She supposed that was true.
She followed him into the bungalow. He took the tequila from her and crossed to the wet bar. He already had limes on a small cutting board and what looked like a lime-based mixture in a measuring cup. Now he added ice to a shaker, then poured in tequila and the juice.
As he worked, she prowled the edges of the small living room. He’d added a few personal effects—a book, a cell phone, a notepad with writing scrawled across it.
He shook the drinks, then poured. She watched him. Like her, he was in jeans. But instead of a T-shirt, he had on a white men’s shirt, untucked and with the sleeves rolled up. His feet were bare. She wasn’t sure why that last fact was sexy, but it was. Really sexy.
He handed her a drink, then motioned to the sofa. She took a seat and saw he had set a plate of appetizers on the coffee table.
“Are you seducing me?” she asked before she could stop herself.
He sat in one of the chairs perpendicular to the sofa and toasted her with his glass. “Do you want to be seduced?”
“I believe part of the process is not to be asked that question.”
“I hadn’t heard that.”
She took a sip of her drink. “Of course it is. Otherwise, it’s not a seduction. It’s a meeting. Seduction is about being swayed.”
His dark blue gaze was unreadable as he smiled at her. “You’re so determined in everything else. You want to do things your way.”
“You’re annoying. Has anyone ever mentioned that?”
He chuckled. “Once or twice.” He nodded at the plate of food. “Help yourself. You’ll want to keep up your strength.”
Her toes curled ever so slightly. She reached for a crab puff. “Have you and your posse found a building yet?”
“My posse?”
“What do you call them? Your bros? The gang?”
“How about my team?”
“Posse is better, but sure, we can go with team.”
“We have a couple of prospects. Zealand is concerned with sound. Wayne worries about money.”
“What do you worry about?” she asked.
“As little as possible.” He leaned back in the chair. “I saw you in the restaurant the other day.”
“I know. You winked at me.”
“You fill in a lot.”
“I go where I’m needed. They never let me cook, though. Probably for the best.”
“My grandmother says you won’t take a different job until you have your degree.”
The delightful sense of anticipation faded just a little. “You were talking about me?”
“You’re an intriguing subject.”
“Not if your grandmother is part of the conversation.” She waited, but he didn’t say anything. She shifted slightly. “I just want to have my degree in hand.”
“Like a talisman?”
“More like a badge of honor. It will be proof of all that I’ve accomplished.”
“You don’t think you’re already proof? Just in how you live your life?”
Her mood brightened. “That sounds kind of cool.”
“You’re kind of cool. I’m curious why you need the degree before making a change.” He held up one hand. “I get the thing with your family. You’re concerned they won’t believe you’re different until they have tangible evidence. They will, of course, but you’ll feel better to have something concrete. But Joyce has known all along. Why not start moving up the ranks?”
“I don’t know. I just need to have my degree first.” She thought about what he’d asked her before. If she was punishing her family or punishing herself. “This isn’t very good foreplay.”
“It wasn’t supposed to be foreplay.” One corner of his mouth turned up. “I promise, you’ll know when I make my move.”
“And you have condoms?”
“Yes. In case you’re curious, the sheets are clean and I’ve already put out the do-not-disturb sign. Any other questions?”
She was trying to be sophisticated and brave, but it was hard. She forced herself to take what she hoped was a nonchalant drink, then smiled.
“I’m good.”
“Yes, you are. Tell me about your first time.”
She blinked at the unexpected question. “You mean sex?”
He nodded. “I don’t need details. Just who and when.”
She took another sip. “I was eighteen and I’d moved out of my mom’s house. I had the job at Happy Burger.”
“A destiny you ignored.”
“I know. I hope I don’t regret it.” She smiled. “I don’t think I will. Anyway, his name was Cameron, he rode a motorcycle and he told me I was pretty.” Her smile faded. “I was more interested in someone wanting me than caring about whether or not I wanted him.”