The sharp flash of disappointment on her face pissed him off. What was wrong with him? Why not have a quick tumble? Why was he suddenly obsessed with the one woman he really, really didn’t like? Sure, they had some kind of crazy spark, but damned if he was interested in getting electrocuted. And that woman would surely kill him if they ever got involved. Hell, electrocution would probably be less painful.
He muttered to himself the whole drive home, swearing to get his head on straight. When he walked into his small brick ranch, he shoved a frozen pizza in the oven to cook while he took a quick shower, then settled in front of his television. Maybe American Ninja Warrior was on. The quiet settled around him, and Stone looked around, wondering what Arilyn Meadows would say about his home.
He was neat but not ruthlessly so. His house screamed bachelor, but not in a seedy way. Besides the latest electronics, including wireless sound stereo, a sixty-inch flat-screen TV, and two Macs, the surroundings were simple. He’d gone with wine and black colors. Leather couches, burgundy throw rugs, and dark-wood tables. A ton of bookshelves and a battered desk in the corner piled high with folders and work stuff. Black-and-white photographs accented the walls, mostly views of Yankee Stadium, both new and old. The kitchen was big enough to hold a table and chairs, but he mostly ate at the breakfast bar. The gray and blue granite hadn’t needed updating, nor had the new stainless steel appliances, though he never cooked. His one bedroom had a thick chocolate rug, mahogany furniture, and a sleigh bed he’d grabbed on clearance. He wasn’t big into knickknacks, but he had a tendency to buy blankets in various patterns and colors, so they were tossed all over the furniture.
Grabbing his pizza, he cracked open an IPA and settled onto the sofa in his boxers. Stone clicked through the channels, paused on a boxing match, and stretched his feet out. This was nice. Just another night at home, on his own terms, in the peace and quiet.
Arilyn’s melodic voice whispered in his ear.
You drink beer with some cops. Shoot a bit of pool. Maybe lift a few weights at the gym. But basically you’re a workaholic who spends most of his time alone.
He froze. Get out of my head, he ordered. I’m damn happy. Content.
You, Stone Petty, are a hypocrite.
He groaned, squeezing his eyes shut. He refused to think about her. He’d finish his pizza, watch the rest of the match, and go jerk off to the mental image of the pretty blonde in the gym. Then he’d get his shit together tomorrow and find someone to actually have sex with.
Stone cranked up the volume and shoved the cardboard-like pizza into his mouth with false gusto.
Take that, Arilyn Meadows.
I don’t hear you.
He had a great life.
Really, really great.
seven
STONE LOOKED AROUND. The purple room was filled with soothing blends of sights and sounds that made him itchy. Water trickled from a fountain with glossy river rocks. Classical music streamed through hidden speakers. Instead of sitting behind the large oak desk, Arilyn perched on a velvet cushion across from him, notepad on lap, a slight frown marring her ginger brows. The room was essentially female—Goddess of Fertility or Venus or shit like that. Plants sprung from the corners, silver sparkly pillows accessorized the endless violet, and the carpet was thick beneath his feet.
Did she always sit so still? She reminded him of an exotic bird, watchful of every situation and ready to either dive in to save a buddy or fly off into the wild blue yonder.
And why was he suddenly composing weird analogies to animals when he thought of this woman?
He took in her black Lycra yoga pants, low-heeled boots he bet weren’t real leather, and a snug T-shirt with the Kinnections logo in bright purple and gray. No makeup marred the lines of her graceful features or hid her creamy white skin. So different from all the women he knew, who obsessed on beauty, channeling their inner peacocks in order to compete in the world.
He’d been surprised when she said she wanted to have his one-to-one counseling in her Kinnections office, but thought it would be a great opportunity to analyze her further. The endless spreadsheets and three computer systems impressed him. Also intimidated him. He wasn’t such a program expert, so that seemed pretty cool, though he had no idea how such an extensive computer setup could possibly help in connecting couples or doing whatever Kinnections promised people it did. Make matches. Find love. Whatever.
She seemed to have something on her mind. It showed in the slight tenseness of her shoulders and the assessing gleam in her sea-glass-green eyes. He kept his face impassive, interested in finding out what she wanted.
“Nice office.”
She glanced around as if viewing it for the first time and nodded. “Thank you. My partners, Kate and Kennedy, helped decorate.”