Page 76 of Sterling Touch
“I wanted to leave you a tip. I forgot to earlier.”
“Atip?” Derrek drawls, turning his attention from Cort to me, and drawing out the word like he’s stretching a string.
I scowl at Derrek.
“Wanted to thank you for all your hard work,” Cort adds, keeping his sights on me.
My cheeks flame as Derrek parrots Cort one more time.
“Hard work.” His perfectly sculpted eyebrows lift. “Did you hear that, Vale? You worked himhard.” Our desk clerk exhales the word like he’s blowing his breath on a window.
Glaring at him again, I defend, “That’s not what he?—”
Cort clears his throat. “I thought maybe I could take you to lunch.”
My attention swings back toward him. To ask me out in front of a co-worker is bold. Plus, we’d be seen in public, even if this is Rogue River. Most of my friends and all of my family are the next town over, but you never know who you’ll run into midday on a Wednesday.
“A little afternoon delight?” Derrek questions me. “Everyone deserves a noon-time meal.” He glances back at Cort. “Vale’s a carnivore. She likes meat.”
Did he just gnash his teeth?
Chewing at my lower lip, I shake my head. “Ignore him. I do.”
“Seriously, though,” Derrek interjects. “Go. Get laid.”
“Der-reek!”
“I mean, get a latte.” He waves, dismissing all his innuendos, then flicks his hand like he’s shooing me out the door. “And lunch. No need to rush. Your one o’clock canceled.”
Derrek winks at Cort, likethe two of them share a secret.
Before I know it, Cort is leading me outside and insists I ride with him. “I promise where we are going, no one will see us.”
On the one hand, I’m relieved and appreciate his understanding about my apprehension. It’s not like Iwantto keep Cort a secret. It feels so unfair that we have to hide what we are doing. Then again, I’m not exactly certain what is going on between us. It’s clear we have a physical connection. We’reexploringwith one another, but are we more than friends with benefits? I can hardly be a booty call. I have Hudson to consider.
While I try not to define us, and simply revel in the fun, I’m confused sometimes by the things Cort says or the way he looks at me. Like he really wants me. Wants more from me. Then, I worry I’m projecting onto him, because I’ve never felt what I feel when I’m with him. How he makes me laugh. How hot he can be with simple words. How sweet he is in person.
Like making me stay on the phone when I drove home the other night.
Or sending a small bouquet of flowers to my work one morning.
Or a lunch delivery another day, from Nonna’s, after I told him how much I love their antipasto salad.
When we pull into Cort’s driveway, I laugh. “You really took Derrek’s suggestion for afternoon delight to heart.”
“As much as I’d like to give the guy props for some solidsexual innuendos, this lunch comes with no expectations.” With his hand dangling over his steering wheel, he smiles at me. “It’s a beautiful day and I thought we could eat on my deck.”
Cort reaches for a white paper bag between us that I’d noticed but hadn’t commented on. Picking up the bag, he pops open his door, and I hop out of his truck as well.
Once inside his house, Cort sets the bag on the island countertop and spins toward me.
“Hi,” he says, cupping my face and leaning in for a more proper greeting.
My belly buzzes and I smile against his lips. “Hi,” I mutter amidst the kiss.
Cort smiles as well. “Lunch?”
“What are you making me?” I tease, glancing over at the paper bag.
