Page 25 of Rules of Engagement
The subject changed to what the groomsmen would wear and how Lincoln would differentiate himself from the pack. Carter listened with half an ear, not really caring what he wore.
His gaze locked on Eliza, and he watched as she eyed the corn like a project she was about to undertake. "Not your favorite?"
"Too messy."
Hmm. He happened to like some things messy. But what was more, he got the distinct impression by the way she was eyeing it that she would've chowed down on the corn had no one been around, so messiness had a place with her, but not where everyone could see.
Really? Comparing the way she eats—or doesn't eat—corn on the cob to other areas of life?
It made him wonder, though. Because that first night when he'd met her, she'd beentipsyand her guard had been down. Eliza had beenmessyand messy looked good on her.
Now she appeared much too professional, not to mention stressed, and he wouldn't mind seeing her with butter on her soft, kissable lips. Or hair wet and stuck to her skin in the pool.
When dinner was over, the half ear of perfectly grilled corn remained on Eliza's plate, and he mourned not getting to see her eat it.
"Oh, I'm stuffed," Amelia said. "Eliza, can I get you anything?"
"No, I'm fine. That was delicious. Thank you."
The thank-you was said to him, and Carter dipped his head in a nod.
Everyone gathered plates and glasses, and he and Eliza were the last at the table.
"Next time I'll cut the corn off the cob for you."
She lifted her head at his words, and her eyes widened a bit before she shook her head. "That's… thoughtful but not necessary. I just didn't want to seem unprofessional when I'm on the job."
"What about when you're not working?"
A smile tugged at her lips. "Grilled corn is a huge favorite, actually."
A laugh left his chest. "So basically you sat there being tortured through dinner because you didn't want to be messy?"
"Yup."
He paused at the entrance to the house, her comment drawing his attention to her lips just like it had that night in the elevator. Was that only a few days ago? Given how many times she'd wound up in his thoughts, it seemed like a lot longer.
"Um… I should probably get in there so I won't be here all night."
"You can always sleep over at my place." The moment the words came out of his mouth, he wanted to take them back, but it was too late. And he hadn't meant them likethat. Well, he wouldn't be opposed to that but still… "On the couch. Or spare bedroom. Not… Sorry."
A low laugh emerged from her, and she shook her head as she slipped by him into the house.
He watched her every move, taking in the sway of her hips as she walked back to the kitchen table.
Across the room, Lincoln cleared his throat, and Carter looked up to find his older brother shooting him a dark glare. Carter sighed.
The next two weeks were going to be a whole different type of torture.
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Chapter 9
Over the next couple of days, Eliza found her thoughts drifting to a certain tattooed and gorgeous man.
The planning session with Amelia had lasted a good hour and a half after Carter had excused himself to take Piper home to get her bathed and ready for school the following morning, but even after he'd left Lincoln's home, Eliza wasn't able to completely relax.
During the evening, she'd found herself noticing the similarities between Carter and his older brother. And given how many there were, seeing Lincoln so sweetly interact with Amelia left Eliza wondering if Carter would be the same way. Could be the same way?
