Page 38 of Endurance

Instantly, my breath caught, and I slowed my steps, wanting to take in every inch of her. Her emerald eyes were shadowed darker than usual, and her lips were coated in a thin layer of gloss. Her feet were bare, with pink painted toenails that matched the pink in her hair and color of her dress—and what a dress it was. It was casual and shouldn’t have been nearly so devastating, but in that, she looked like a goddamned sex goddess. The halter V-neck accentuated her breasts, and all I could think of was how they had felt in my hands, how her nipples tightened with just one flick of my tongue. It would only take one tug at the tie at her neck to set those gorgeous globes free.

“Hey, there,” she greeted with a smile. Her green eyes twinkled, reminding me of fuchsite sparkling under a setting sun.

“Hey, yourself.” Stepping toward her, I reached with my free hand to twirl a pink lock of her hair around my finger. This was the first time I’d seen anything other than purple and rainbow colors. “No rainbows today. What does the pink mean?”

“Happy.”

I cocked up one eyebrow. “What are you so happy about?”

She shrugged as if to say, ‘why wouldn’t I be,’ and smiled. “I guess I’m just happy about the progress I made today, and I’m happy you’re here. Come on inside. I’ve already uncorked the wine.”

Enjoying the subtle sway of her hips as she walked, I followed her inside to an open concept kitchen, dining, and great room. She breezed past the interior rooms and led me to a connected outdoor living space with an inground pool. Next to the pool, I saw she’d set a patio table for two. A bottle of wine sat chilling in an ice bucket next to a plate of cheese, olives, and crackers. I set the takeout bags down on the table and glanced around.

“Nice setup you have here,” I mused.

“Thanks. Make yourself comfortable. I just realized I forgot the utensils. I’ll be right back.”

As I waited for her to return, I rolled up the sleeves of my black button-down and went to work on emptying the contents of the takeout containers. The food selection included more rabbit food for Kallie and beef hibachi for me.

“I can’t take credit for the menu,” I said after she returned. “But I knew you liked the restaurant we ate at with Colton and Rylee. I hope this is okay.”

“Looks great to me. You’ll have to let me know if the wine is any good. I’m not up on the best California vintages,” she admitted as she began to pour the chilled white into two glasses.

“I’m no wine snob—I prefer a good whiskey or an IPA over anything else—but I can recognize a qualityvino.” I paused to accept the glass she held out and took a sip. The flavor was crisper than some of the other white wines I’d had, but I liked it. “It’s smooth—not as sweet as I would have expected, but good.”

We took our seats at the table, and it was hard not to notice the way the slit in Kallie’s long flowy dress opened to reveal her shapely thigh. I wanted nothing more than to reach over and slide my hand all the way up, but I knew any attempt to do that just yet would be a mistake. Getting her to open up to me—both literally and figuratively—would take finesse.

Tearing my eyes away from her sexy legs, I focused on the food in front of us. Kallie began to pile forkfuls of green onto her plate, and I tried not to wonder how any of it could possibly sustain her as I added a hefty portion of beef to my plate.

We ate quietly for a time. She seemed content to enjoy the peaceful evening while I, on the other hand, used the absence of conversation to get a better read on her mindset. I wanted her—badly. Things were going well, but I knew one wrong move would shoot our delicate balance straight to hell.

“This avocado salad is so amazing,” she said after we were halfway through our meal. “I can’t believe you remembered what I ordered the last time. I wouldn’t have.”

I glanced down at her plate. Though she’d said her food was good, I found her to be moving it around her dish more than she ate.

“You’ve barely eaten anything,” I pointed out.

“I had a late lunch. Plus, I’m distracted at the moment, so that isn’t helping my appetite.”

“Oh? What about?”

“Well, I think we should establish some ground rules for tonight,” she announced.

I paused midchew and eyed her quizzically. “Rules?”

“Yes, rules. I came to a conclusion earlier today.”

I grinned at her businesslike tone. When she talked all professional, I found it sexy as hell. “Should I be nervous?” I teased.

“No, but I do think it’s important to get this off my chest. I invited you here on the pretense of business—which we do need to discuss—but after dancing around it for a month, we both know tonight won’t be all work and no play. You were right when you said there was something strong between us. There have been signs, and while I’m not entirely sure if I’m reading them correctly, I’m tired of denying the attraction I feel for you. Plus, I know how you operate, and I can predict where this night will go. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have invited you here.”

I nearly dropped my fork, totally taken aback by her unexpectedly relaxed stance. I was used to aggressive women coming on to me, but Kallie had always been different. Up until two seconds ago, I’d fully expected to have to work to win her over. Now she was saying there were… signs?

“What are you trying to say, Kallie?”

“I’m saying that I’m open to the possibility of there being an us, but there are important business things to go over first before you try to get in my pants.”

I sat back in my chair and crossed my arms, unable to hide my amusement. She looked thoroughly satisfied—as if her declaration somehow made the inevitable easier for her to accept.

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