Page 51 of Summer Heat
"Thanks for filming, Kinsley. It looks great." Hudson headed through the house, and we followed him.
It felt weird to be saying goodbye to one of his brothers while I was staying in the house, and we'd be alone after he left.
Hudson hesitated at the door. "Let me know if you need help. You have a lot to do before the wedding."
Shep nodded tightly. "Will do."
Hudson left, and then we stood in the foyer alone.
"I'm done editing for the night. My wrists hurt from being on the computer so much today," I said, heading back through the house to grab my laptop.
I charged the laptop at the desk in the living room. "What should we make for dinner?"
"I pulled out steak and potatoes earlier. I'm going to throw them on the grill."
"I'll see if we have any veggies we can grill with it."
Shep grabbed the serving dish and disappeared outside.
I wondered if he felt awkward too. We'd never been truly alone in the house. Maya was always around, whether she was asleep or somewhere playing. This was the first time there wouldn't be any interruptions. No distractions. How was I going to share a meal with Shep? I wasn't sure I'd be able to hide my attraction, not without a buffer.
I always had Maya to focus on. To distract myself from my errant thoughts. But now? She was safe with her father, and I was hyperaware of how alone I was with Shep.
There was no way to know if he felt the same attraction that I did, but I had my doubts. He could have anyone he wanted. Why would he choose to be attracted to me?
I shouldn't be attracted to someone who approached dating so flippantly. I wanted someone who was interested in a serious relationship. I had to think about Maya. I didn't have time for one-night stands or hookups.
Suddenly, I felt old. I couldn't go out to a bar or dinner on a whim. I always had to think about Maya. How could I meet someone else when I was caught up in Shep?
Maybe I should table dating until I was living on my own again. But that would let me crush on Shep full-time, and that wasn't healthy either.
Shep popped his head in the door. "Are the veggies almost ready?"
"Almost," I said brightly, even though I'd only managed to wash them and get out a cutting board.
"Bring them out when they're chopped," Shep said with a wink, and my entire body heated.
Nope. I wasn't going to survive the night. I hit Play on some music, hoping it would distract me, and forced myself to focus on chopping the veggies, placing them into a bowl and covering them with olive oil. Then I carried them outside, feeling awkward
"How's the steak coming?"
He grinned at me in that easy way he did with women. "They're cooking."
He wasn't nervous because he wasn't interested in me. He wasn't feeling awkward because women were always attracted to him no matter what he did. I'd just fallen into the same trap. And maybe that's why I fought him so hard for months. I knew I'd fall for his charm too. I had to keep in mind that he was a perpetual flirt, and it didn't mean anything.
But now, I'd moved in with him and fallen for his charm anyway. It was inevitable.
Chapter Fourteen
Kinsley
When he reached for the veggies, I startled. I jumped so that I wasn't touching him anymore. That one brief touch sent tingles through my body.
His forehead creased. "What has you so wound up?"
I shrugged. "We usually aren't alone."
A wolfish grin spread across his face. "Are you afraid to be alone with me?" When I didn't answer, he continued, "You can't resist me, can you?"
