Page 39 of An Inconvenient Plan
“Thanks. You look nice too. You could wear a sack and still be stunning, but you know that, don’t you?”
She was momentarily speechless. It was the first time Josh had commented on her appearance, and it was quite the compliment.
He turned back to the kitchen. “How do you like your steak cooked?”
“Medium well.”
“Got it.” He stopped and turned back to her. “How about Rose?”
She beamed, loving the way he looked out for her fur baby. “She’s never had steak. I’d imagine medium well would be just fine with her.”
He flashed a smile that warmed her like sunshine. She’d so rarely seen Josh smiling at her. He was pure masculine beauty.
He went into the kitchen and she followed him. It smelled wonderful. The appliances were white and on the newer side. Various cooking utensils, measuring cups, and bowls sat on the one long laminate counter. A small square table with a white tablecloth in the corner was set for two with a glass vase of roses with baby’s breath and unlit long white candles in silver candlesticks. A nice romantic touch.
He gestured toward the vase of roses. “Those are for you. I had to put them in water so they’d bloom in time for dinner.”
“Aww, thank you.” She bent low and breathed them in. “They’re lovely.”
He walked over to the counter and reached into a plastic bag. “I got Rose a chew toy. It’s made from recycled fire hose.” He ripped the tag off and placed the toy in her hand. It was an orange rectangular toy that made a crinkle sound.
“Omigod, we love it. How cute is this?” She went to the living room and knelt next to her fur baby, offering the toy. “Rose, what do you think?” Rose sniffed it and then licked it. Hailey dropped the toy on the floor and Rose leaped on top of it, rolling all over it and licking with great enthusiasm.
Hailey looked back over her shoulder at Josh, standing in the kitchen doorway, smiling at Rose’s antics. He was irresistibly sexy, doting on her dog, cooking for her, but she was determined not to throw herself at him. He wanted a slow burn, something real. She wanted something real too. It was just hard to wait now that she’d gotten a taste of passion.
She stood and smoothed her hair. “You have any wine?”
“Yeah, a nice merlot. I’m letting it breathe. I’ll pour us both a glass. The steaks have been marinating all night. I’ve got twice-baked potatoes in the oven. Spinach with mushrooms too. And for dessert—”
“You bake too?”
“It’s strawberry shortcake from Garner’s. Not too sweet.”
She crossed to him. “Yum. So is this your typical first date?”
“No.” He went back to the kitchen and checked on the potatoes in the oven. “I usually don’t invite women here.”
She flushed, thrilled to be one of the few women invited in. Hard to believe she’d once thought his place was a den of sin. “Why not? Is it your private sanctuary?”
He straightened and closed the oven door. “Because most women wouldn’t find my place impressive, but you’ve seen it before so…” He pulled two wineglasses from a cabinet and poured them both some merlot. He handed her a glass.
She deflated at his casual remark. “Thanks.” She took a sip. “Anything I can do to help?”
“I got it. Just relax.”
She took a seat at the table, watching him get out a large pan, adding butter, and then the mushrooms. It was strange to be with Josh like this, such a domestic scene, so peaceful. “Why do you think we fight so much?”
He glanced over his shoulder at her. “You’re so easy to rile up I couldn’t resist. I mostly thought it was fun.” He went back to cooking, pushing the mushrooms around with a wooden spatula. “Why did you keep coming back for more?”
She stared at his broad back. Why did she keep tangling with him? Half the time she’d been so furious she’d wanted to strangle him. And now…she just longed to touch him, kiss him, taste him. Oh, boy, she really had to stop thinking about getting him naked.
He looked at her. “You don’t know?”
She snapped back to attention. “I couldn’t seem to stop once we got started. It’s kinda sick, though. I mean, I got really upset sometimes.”
He inclined his head. “We might’ve let it get out of hand. I tried to make amends when I realized I hurt your feelings. Anyway, in hindsight, me giving you a hard time was because I was drawn to you when I didn’t want to be. I wasn’t being clear about my intentions. Clarissa helped me look more deeply at myself. You know, become more aware of my subconscious and how it manifests in real life.”
She tsked.Clarissa.“Don’t you know not to talk about your ex when you’re on a date with someone else?”
