Page 26 of Visions of You

I couldn’t resist another smile as our gazes held. “Give the pretty lady a gold star.”

April’s eyes changed. That frisson ran between us again, the electric current. Eventually, she dropped them, and I ran my sander in a long sweep again.

“How old is Hemingway?”

I had to stop and think. “Around eight. He’s the patriarch. Santiago and Pilar are both his.”

“And who was the lucky lady?”

I ran my hand over the wood, enjoying the smooth warmth of it. Trying not to think about other things that were smooth and warm. “The Hemingway House in Key West lets us borrow a cat when we’re ready to breed one of ours. Then we give them the kittens after we take one or two. That keeps the bloodlines fresh.” I raised my eyes to hers again. “Then, like responsible pet owners, we have our cat fixed. Pilar is going to continue the line.”

A mischievous smile stretched her lips. “So poor Hemingway found his true love, then got his balls cut off?”

My grin matched hers. “He’s not the first guy that’s happened to.”

She laughed and shook her head.

“And he was still Anselmo back then,” I added. “He became Hemingway a couple of years ago.”

Her lovely smile lingered as she studied the wood. “What are you making?”

“A coffee table for a guest bungalow.”

She bent over and ran her hand over the reddish mahogany surface. I’d varied different shades of wood planks to give the tabletop a striking appearance. Her fingers were long and shapely, yet I’d seen her strengthfirsthand.

What would those fingers feel like stroking me? Stroking all of me?

I swallowed hard.

“It’s beautiful,” she purred. When she looked up, her eyes held admiration and respect. Which was a hell of a lot better than the animosity of when we’d first met.

“Thanks. I went to college for a business degree, but I love working with my hands. I’ve made furniture for years.”

Her eyes darted to my hands, and a hungry look came into them. An expression that sent a rush of heat straight to my core. Before I could think about it, I set the sander down and took a step toward her, closing the distance between us. Earlier today, I’d thought of several reasons why getting involved with her would be a bad idea. But hell if I could think of a single one right now. All I wanted was to kiss her. To run my hands through that golden hair. We locked eyes as I leaned toward her.

Then my watch alarm beeped.

I straightened with an inward groan and silenced the noise.

“Fun time over?” April’s voice was breathy.

I thought of several answers to that, but the moment was over. “Yeah. That’s my reminder to meet with Felicia about the barbeque tomorrow night.”

“Maia told me they’re a weekly occurrence.”

Our gazes met again as I nodded. “You should stop by. It’s usually over by eight p.m. There should be plenty of food, but the crowd will be gone by then.”

The air grew charged between us once more. She got the message I was sending.

“I’ll be there.”

Chapter Twelve

April

I toweleddry and pulled on a dressy black tank top and knee-length skirt, keeping one eye on the clock. I had led a night dive, and to save time afterward, had showered inside the dive shop. But it was still after 8:00 p.m. If I wanted to get to the barbeque, I needed to hurry.

Especially if I wanted to catch Gabe.

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