Page 7 of Stick to the Plan
“Pleasure to meet ya, Sr. Riley.”
I shake the offered paw and give him a scratch behind one ear. Looking back up at Brianna, her eyes are the size of dinner plates and her mouth is hanging open as her supposedly picky dog flops onto his back. Shamelessly begging for belly rubs. I chuckle and give him what he wants.
“That’s amazing. He never acts like that around strangers.” Brianna seems to be slowly recovering from her shock, but still very confused.
“Don’t be upset with him. I’ve always had a way with dogs. Ma always said if she di’na know better, she’d swear I was raised by them.” My grin spreads, my long day nearly forgotten after some puppy love.
Her eyebrows are still a little pinched as she watches me interact with her dog. She clears her throat a bit.
“Your room is right this way.”
I rise and follow her to an open door off the spacious living room. The bedroom is large and tidy. The walls are the color of the ocean after a storm. A contemporary queen headboard, all dark wood and straight lines, is the focal point. Stepping further into the room, I find a large armoire and prim desk in the same dark wood.
“Through here is the bath. Towels are already out on the sink. There’s a TV in the armoire. The WiFi password is on the desk.” She points out each as she speaks. Brisk and effective.
“Make yourself at home. When you’re ready, go back towards the door and take a right. You can’t miss the kitchen. Let me know if you need anything else.”
With that said, Brianna gives a small nod and walks out, Riley right on her heels. I let out a sigh and sit on the edge of the bed.
This will certainly be interesting.
I drag a hand over my face and take a deep breath, finally noticing the intoxicating smell coming from down the hall. My mouth waters. Unpacking can wait. I’ll take a quick shower and then find out what smells so delicious. If it tastes half as good as it smells, this arrangement won’t be as bad as I feared.
Chapter three
Tippy Toes
Brianna
This is going to be worse than I thought. I take a long sip of my hard cider as I assess my situation. He’s a lot younger than I expected. And Rachel is already throwing herself at him? I saw enough to get the gist of the conversation. Wonder if he would have gone with her if I hadn’t shown up.
I lean back against the counter as I nurse my drink and replay our first conversation. Colin’s green eyes had grown wide when I said I was his host. What exactly had Stone told him? The sooner we get this project done and get him out, the better. A man with a smile like that is trouble. If my stomach flipped after he grinned up at me - and I’m not saying it did.Ifit did, it was only because I was hungry. It had nothing to do with his piercing green eyes or that dimple that appeared when his grin reached its fullest.
Distracting myself, I stir the rice. I look down at my dog, sitting at my feet hoping for crumbs. He acts as if nothing unusual happened at the door.
“And you, mister! What was that all about? Huh?” Riley cocks his head to the side, clearly sayingwho, me?I feel my annoyance lift and chuckle. Ican never stay mad at this fuzzball.“You are so lucky you’re cute.” Getting a treat out of the nearby canister, I toss it to him.
Rice now done, I transfer the fluffy white side into a waiting bowl and bring it into the adjoining dining room. The table is neatly set with white, square plates, gleaming silverware, and sparking glasses filled with ice water. The crock-pot insert is already on the gray wood table. Perfect, now I just need to get through this meal. Hopefully, he’s too tired to talk much, and then I can escape this whole mess for the night.
Colin enters the room as I am still surveying the table. “Smells delicious,” he says with a happy exhale, “even if you hadn’t given me directions, I could’a found the room with my nose.”
“Thank you, I hope you like chicken cacciatore. Can I get you something to drink? Water, milk, or perhaps some wine or a beer?” At the wordbeerhe visibly perks up, so I continue. “I have hard cider, Yuengling, Corona, and Guinness.”
“Guinness, please.” He is giving that dangerous smile again.
“I’ll be right back. Sit down and help yourself.” I make my escape to the kitchen and take a few calming breaths. Closing my eyes, I give my stomach a lecture to get its shit together. Butterflies are not on the menu today. Or any night, for that matter.
Returning to the dining room, I stop short. Colin is sitting at the table, eyes closed, mouth full. A look of utter satisfaction on his face. Taking advantage of his distraction, I study his face.
High cheekbones and a sharp, clean-shaved jaw. His brown hair is shorn on the sides and left just slightly longer on top. At the office, he’d combed it to the side in a fairly standard business look, but his shower has left a messy mop, giving him a boyish look. A muscle spasms as he chews, my heart beets faster. His adam’s apple bobs as he swallows the bite, drawing my eye to the strong column of his neck. His thick shoulders fill out his simple tee, proving his suit wasn’tpadded. My scrutiny continues to his firm chest as he heaves a content sigh, eyes still closed.
My lips tilt up into a small smile. It has been so long since I’ve cooked dinner for anyone like this. I forgot what it feels like to see someone enjoy my cooking. Unbidden, images of another man sitting at this same table hit me. Forget about that asshole; Riley and I are happy on our own. I have my career, my friends. My life is full enough.
Colin cocks open one eye as I place the perfectly poured Guinness in front of him. “Thanks a million. I think I’ve died and gone to heaven.” He picks up the stout and takes a long sip before sitting back with a content sigh. “Aye, definitely.”
Sitting down, I busy myself with making a plate as I try to think up polite business dinner conversation. “You must have had a tiring day. Flying halfway across the world and then sitting in meetings all day. Glad you are enjoying the meal.”
“Oh, aye,” Colin answers between forkfuls. “Between the travel and all the trans-Atlantic meetings over the last few weeks, can’t remember the last home cooked meal I’ve had. Definitely nothing this delicious since my last visit with my ma.”
