Well Built (Book Boyfriend #3)(33)

"No, definitely not," he agreed with a sigh, then let it go. "I put a mug by the coffeemaker just in case you want a cup with breakfast."

"Yes, please." She headed toward the counter, grateful for the distraction.

"Sugar is in the cupboard right above you, and creamer is in the refrigerator."

While she made her coffee, he took their plates to the table, and she sat across from him. She ate a couple of bites of her eggs before inquiring about the reason she'd ended up at his condo in the first place.

"Did you hear back from your friend about my car?" she asked.

"Yeah, he called a little while ago," he replied, making Ella wonder how long Kyle had been up before she'd joined him. "It's definitely a failed fuel pump. He sent one of his guys to a nearby auto parts store to pick up a new one while he started dropping the gas tank so all they'll have to do is make the switch, then put things back together. He said he'll have it installed and your car ready to go in about two hours."

"That's great," she said, relieved. "Thank you."

They went back to eating, and once again she could feel Kyle watching her, and the few times she glanced his way, she caught the slight furrowing of his brow that told her he definitely had something on his mind. The quiet between them started to make her feel anxious, and her apprehension only increased when he finally spoke in a very determined tone.

"Ella . . . about last night . . . "

She knew what was coming, and she cut him off before he could finish. "Having morning-after regrets?" she teased, praying that her attempt at humor deflected the serious conversation she suspected he wanted to have.

He didn't even crack a smile. "Not a single one," he said with certainty. "In fact, I'd really like to see you again."

She swallowed hard, hating that Kyle was trying to change the rules they'd agreed on after the fact. "See me again?" She tried to play dumb, but already, her insides were in a twist and her emotions were conflicted.

He nodded and set his fork across his empty plate. "Yeah, like a real date."

He made it sound so simple, so easy, when the two of them dating was problematic for half a dozen reasons. Clearly, it was up to her to keep a level head about the situation. "Kyle," she said, softening her voice, as if that would take the sting out of her next words. "Let's not make what happened last night into something more than it really was."

Beneath his trimmed beard, she saw his jaw flex and his eyes flash with a challenge. "Which was?"

Was he really forcing her to say the obvious? Apparently, he was. "Last night was sex between two adults who wanted it and agreed that it would be just one night."

"It doesn't have to be." He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Yes, it does." She put her hands in her lap, feeling sad and strangely lost. "You and I both know that things are complicated between us. And as for dating? Well, there isn't a whole lot to do in Woodmont, and you already know I won't be coming back into the city anytime soon. It doesn't make sense for us to get involved as anything more than friends."

His expression conveyed his frustration. "Sunshine, friends don't fuck like we did last night."

The man didn't play fair. He was calling her out, and as much as she agreed that last night had been more than just getting laid, she also knew, without a doubt, that dating him would just end in heartbreak. Again. Which meant she had to issue an ultimatum.



       
         
       
        

"It's friends . . . or nothing."

* * *

Ella pulled into the driveway to her father's house, parked her car next to Betsy's, and turned off the engine. It was almost two in the afternoon, but with her new fuel pump installed, her car had gotten her home without any issues, thank God. She was glad to be out of the city and back in the quiet, safe community of Woodmont, where wide-open spaces abounded and she didn't have to worry about panic attacks and feeling claustrophobic.

The small town was where she belonged, and always would. So why had it been so difficult to leave Kyle behind?

With a sigh that did nothing to ease the discord of emotions she'd been struggling with since their tough conversation at breakfast this morning, she got out of her vehicle and headed toward the back door to the house. Issuing Kyle an ultimatum hadn't been easy, but it definitely had been necessary in order for them to coexist for the next few months while he renovated the building next door to the market. He'd given her a sexy, erotic night to remember, and that's all it ever could be. A memory she'd cherish and relive when she was in bed at night-by herself.