Page 16 of Seasoned
Having him in her bedroom made her feel all tingly again. Her skin practically jumped at his nearness, and there was a definite tightening at the apex of her thighs.
“Now that I know what you can do, I’ll be sure to call you if I need any more work done on the house. And I’ll recommend you to others in the neighborhood.”
“Others in the neighborhood already know all about my skills,” he said with amusement.
“So I’m late to the party?”
“Better late than never,” he murmured, his gaze sweeping her figure.
Were they still talking about handyman work?
“So, about those cookies you wanted.”
He brought his eyes back up to her face. “You bought the chocolate chip cookies?” He sounded very surprised.
“Of course. That was our agreement. But I didn’t buy them. They’re homemade.”
“I assumed this morning’s breakfast was my payment. That’s why I didn’t mention the cookies.”
“Oh no, I pay my debts. Breakfast was me being nice.” Renee started out the door.
“You being nice to me? I never thought that would ever happen.”
“Careful now, we’re getting along. Don’t spoil the moment.”
Clive’s warm laughter filled her ears and tightened her breasts. Darn it, if she could control her body’s reaction to him, it would make their interaction much easier.
A plastic container of cookies sat on the counter. She opened it and Clive chose one. As he chewed, he groaned a little.
“You made these?” he asked, picking up another cookie.
“I wish. I can’t bake to save my life. I was going to the bakery you mentioned, but one of my best friends loves to bake and whipped up a batch from her own recipe. I helped a little by stirring in the chocolate chips.”
“The chips are the most important part,” Clive said.
“That means I did the most important part?” Renee asked.
“You sure did. I have to be honest, your friend—and you—did a great job. These are really, really good. They might be better than my wife’s.” He shoved another one in his mouth and she preened with delight.
“That’s quite the compliment.”
“I meant it, too. Make sure you tell your friend what I said, and let her know I’d be willing to buy cookies from her.”
“I certainly will.”
Clive leaned his hip against the counter. “So, did you already put in a complaint to the board about my late-night partying, as you put it?”
Renee raised an eyebrow.
“I only ask because I haven’t gotten a warning letter yet.” The entire time he spoke, he had a smile on his face.
His words hit her belly with the power of a punch. “That’s what this is all about?”
His eyebrows snapped together in confusion. “Excuse me?”
“I should have known you weren’t just being nice. You want something, and the something is for me not to file another complaint about you so you can keep breaking the rules. Get your things and get out of my house and leave the damn cookies.”
His eyebrows flew upward. “You can’t renege on the cookies.”
