Very naughty ideas.
When her husband broke the kiss and flashed a grin that made her toes curl, Snow almost suggested they take things to the bedroom. Instead she said, “Put me down,” in a voice that betrayed his true effect on her.
Snow’s weakened state was completely Caleb’s fault. He’d been planting sexy thoughts in her head at every turn. In addition to the amazing meals, he’d adopted the habit of walking around half-naked at every opportunity. And then there were the more subtle tactics—leaning a little too close, rubbing a little too much, touching a little too often. All the things that dating couples did. And in order to keep up the pretense of giving their relationship a chance, Snow had to endure the torture.
Something that would be easier to do if she hadn’t begun to really like him. As a person and a friend. Even a roommate. He had yet to master the seat-down thing, but Caleb didn’t leave shavings around the sink and only forced her to watch sports on certain occasions. Like when his Saints played on Monday night.
By the middle of the second quarter, Snow had been yelling at the refs right along with him. Turned out football wasn’t so awful to watch after all.
Instead of dropping her as quickly as he’d swept her off her feet, Caleb lowered Snow slowly, keeping their bodies in contact the whole way. By the time her toes touched the floor, Snow was ready to climb back up and take a second ride.
“So what’s next?” he asked, desire evident in the darker shade of his eyes.
“What do you mean?” Snow asked. She couldn’t stop staring at his mouth. Remembering how it felt, and not just against her mouth. “What do you want to do?”
If ever there was a rhetorical question.
Caleb chuckled, and Snow felt it ripple down her spine. “I mean with the painting.”
Blinking in confusion, Snow tried to remember what painting they were talking about.
“Oh,” she said, stepping back. “The Norton.” Bracing a hand on the edge of the sink, she looked anywhere but at her husband. “I don’t know. I guess I’ll put it in an auction.”
“You have to make sure it’s the right auction. With the right buyers.”
“Yes, that’s what Ms. Bolliver said.” Snow drew a glass off the shelf and filled it with tap water. She was in dire need of a drink, though she wished there was something stronger than water close at hand. “She’s going to keep an eye out for me and let me know when the right opportunity comes up.”
“Then it sounds like you’re in good hands.” Something spattered behind him, and Caleb swung to the stove. “You distracted me, woman,” he said, flipping two beautiful salmon filets.
“Sorry,” Snow said, “but I couldn’t wait to share the news.”
Pulling her against his side, Caleb set the spatula on the counter and tested each filet with the tip of a finger. “I think I saved them,” he said. Then he gave her waist a squeeze. “I’m proud of you, darling.”
“Thanks,” she said, leaning her head against his shoulder. “I would have missed that painting if not for you.”
“Then it’s a good thing I was here.” He kissed her hair as his thumb rubbed the skin above her jeans, increasing Snow’s heart rate. “You ready to eat?” Caleb asked as he shifted the pan to a cool burner.
Snow sighed and reminded herself that this was nothing but pretend. At the end of the month, she would send Caleb on his way. She had to. Better to break her own heart than let Vivien break them both.
“I’m ready,” she said. “I’ll get the plates.”
“You almost ready?” Caleb asked for the second time, peeking into the bedroom to see Snow staring into the mirror at her third outfit in ten minutes. The Ruby Restoration meeting was scheduled to start in less than thirty minutes. If they were going to make it on time, they needed to leave in the next five.
“I don’t know what to wear,” she said, turning his way. “How does this look?”
He took in the burgundy sweater and skinny jeans, and experienced the same reaction he’d had the last two times she asked. You’d look better wearing me. Once again keeping the thought to himself, Caleb stepped closer to settle his hands on her hips, feigning interest in the clothes.
“Looks good to me.”
The moment he touched her, Snow leaned into him. She’d been doing that more every day, which was why he made sure to touch her at every opportunity.
“You said that about the last two.”
With a tug on her belt loop, he dropped a quick kiss on her lips and said, “I can’t help that you look good in everything.” Which she did. But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t prefer she take the clothes off rather than put them on.