Page 28 of Twice as Tempting

Chapter 10

“Where do you want to go?” Damian asked as they walked across the parking lot.

Why does everything that comes out of his mouth sound seductive?

“We could go to my place so you can check out the new furniture,” he suggested before she had time to respond.

He winked at her, and the memory of the two of them on the mattress at the furniture store came rushing back to her. “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea,” she replied.

“Come on, Kell. Stop thinking I have an ulterior motive every time we get together.”

“Ok, fine. But I’m coming over to see your furniture and to have a discussion. Nothing else.”

“I got it,” he said and opened her car door for her.

She slid in and rolled the window down.

“Beat ya home,” he called and raced across the parking lot to his truck.

Kelly giggled at Damian’s playfulness. She had certainly seen signs of it before, but she realized that there was so much more to learn about him. The weeks they had spent together eight months ago had been filled with fun: dinners out, the holidays, and lots and lots of sex. But then it had ended so abruptly when he had returned to California, and not seeing him or talking to him had left a deep void inside of her. She hadn’t even realized how deep until he had returned looking hotter than ever and seemingly still interested in her. But this time, she was going to take the driver’s seat. She refused to lay herself out for him on a silver platter like she had the first time, only to have him walk away.

No, this time, he was going to have work for her, and on the drive back to their apartment complex, she figured out how.

“It looks… nice in here,” she said after he had shown her around his apartment.

“I know it’s not as homey as your place, but I’m still working on it,” he said. “Do you want another beer?”

“No, I’m good,” she said as he extracted one from the refrigerator for himself.

There was only a sofa and the new black leather recliner in his living room, so Kelly took the chair. Less chance for any contact that way.

Damian looked at her when he came back into the living room, shrugged his shoulders, and sprawled out on the couch. “So, what do you want to talk about?” he said.

Kelly glanced at him while he leaned back against the couch cushions in his torn jeans, faded t-shirt, and work boots, and then swallowed nervously. You can do this, you can do this, she chanted to herself.

Damian took a long pull on his beer and waited.

“I have a proposition for you,” she began.

Damian raised his eyebrows but remained quiet.

“I think it’s pretty clear that we’re attracted to each other.”

“Um-hmm.”

“And we already know that we’re good together in… certain ways.”

“Go on.”

“But I think we should use the next few months, from now until Emma’s wedding, to really get to know each other. To start over in effect.”

Damian cleared his throat and sat up straighter. “But we do know each other, Kell.”

“You think so? Then what’s my favorite color?”

Damian looked her up and down and replied, “Blue.”

“Lucky guess. What are my parents’ names?”