“Because I moved here two weeks ago looking for something new and different. I did not expect someone like you—someone I’m attracted to on many levels—to, metaphorically, fall into my lap. Though if you want to literally fall into my lap, I won’t complain,” he added with a grin. Turning the car on, he backed out of the spot then started toward Abe’s. “What about you?”
“Do you think our uncles were, well, meddling?” she asked.
“You mean like intending to set us up without telling us they were trying to set us up?” She nodded. “I wouldn’t put it past Joe. What about Franklin?”
“Franklin loves me. I’m his favorite niece. But I also think he has a fantasy of grooming some sort of super agent, and between my skills and yours, our spawn could be his dream come true.”
Joe barked out a laugh. “I’ve only ever met him twice over the years, when my uncle was down visiting, but heiskind of intense. What has you disconcerted? Is it that?”
She shook her head. “I’m not known for taking the easy way. Well, that’s not exactly right. My friends like to point out that I prefer to jump without a parachute, and my uncle calls me reckless. Of course, I’m obviously notthatreckless or I would have died in some desert years ago. But the point is, Ilikeadrenaline, I like the rush, I like pushing myself. To an extent, you don’t do what I do without having at least a little bit of that edge. And while some people, like Nora, seek comfort when she’s not working,comfortand routine aren’t something I usually enjoy.”
He turned into the parking lot at Abe’s, found a spot, and killed the engine, but neither moved from the cab.
“What’s disconcerting about that?” he asked. The only light came from the meager streetlights behind them, and although she could see his face, it was shadowed.
“It’s hard to describe. You’re comfortable—”
He grimaced.
“But not inthatway. You’re comfortable in a way that I’ve never experienced before. It’s like I’m feeling those familiar precursors to an adrenaline rush, but the rush is about exploring thiscomfortablething.” She waved her hand between the two of them. “It doesn’t make much sense, but that’s the best way to describe it.”
“I think you’re saying that another dinner isn’t off the table?” he asked with a grin.
She smiled and shook her head. Shoving her hat on and opening her door, she answered. “Another dinner is definitely not off the table. You don’t have to walk me in,” she added when he opened his door, too.
“I’ve already had to make an official visit to this place twice. I’m walking you in if only for my own sanity. Once we confirm your friends are already here, I’ll say good night.” He joined her at the back of the SUV, and together, they walked to the door.
“You don’t mind dropping me off here?”
He shook his head. “I just met you yesterday. You’ve been friends with those women for over twenty-five years and haven’t seen them in a few weeks. I don’t need to crash that party.”
Cyn paused outside the door and looked at Joe. A little bit of his dark hair was visible under the hunter-green beanie he wore, and his bright blue eyes met hers.
“Thank you. I think you might prove to be a good man, New Joe Harris,” she said.
He smiled. “Just like the old Joe Harris.”
That dimple. “Not quite the same,” she said, then she grabbed his scarf with her two hands and pulled him down into a kiss. She took a step forward and pressed against him as he slipped one hand behind her neck. Wrapping his other hand around her waist, he pulled her even closer as he angled his head and took the kiss deeper. They had layers of clothes between them—and her friends were inside the bar waiting—but as far as first kisses went? Well, it was what her American friends would call a barn burner.
Then, for good or for bad, someone burst out of Abe’s, and the door came flying toward her. Before she could react, Joe’s hand shot out, stopping the metal slab not three inches from the back of her head. It would have been a nice little goose egg if he hadn’t moved so quick.
“Watch it,” he said to someone over her shoulder. In response, a man mumbled something. It could have been an apology, but he also could have been telling them to fuck off.
After a beat, Joe looked down at her.
She smiled. “As I said, a good man.”
Chapter Six
For the firsttime since he’d moved to Massachusetts, Joe was grateful for the cold weather. The smack of near zero-degree air that hit him when he pulled away from Cyn to stop the door from hitting her was probably about the only thing that could have cooled his blood. Cyn Steele knew how to kiss, that was for damn sure. Thank god his jacket ended at mid-thigh.
“I’ll walk you in,” he said, gesturing to the door he still held. Cyn opened her mouth to say something then, with a shake of her head, turned and walked into the bar.
Thankfully, her friends were already there, seated at a booth. Cyn made a beeline for them and since she hadn’t said goodbye to him, he figured he was supposed to follow. He didn’t plan on staying, but he could say hi.
Cyn was sliding into the booth when he joined them. She scooted over, but he stood his ground. “I’ll leave you ladies to catch up.”
“Have a drink with us, New Joe,” Devil said. At her jovial tone, his eyes shifted from Cyn to study Devil. He couldn’t tell if she’d had too much to drink already or if she was just fucking with him. She winked at him. Definitely fucking with him.