Flirting with Love (9 page)

He reached for the doorknob and hesitated. “Have you actually met Emily?”

“Not in person yet. We’ve just spoken over the phone.”

He smiled, and his eyes lit with mischief as he pushed open the door.

“Ross?” A woman’s voice came from the kitchen, followed by fast footsteps. Elisabeth recognized Emily from her Facebook page as she ran into Ross’s arms. She looked tiny against him. Her long brown hair was a shade darker than Ross’s and curtained her face as she hugged him tight. “I’m so glad you made it.”

Ross held her up with one arm, and when he slid her feet to the floor, he turned toward Elisabeth. “Em, this is Elisabeth Nash.”

Emily’s brows knitted together. She looked from Elisabeth to Ross, and a slow smile lifted her lips. “How did I miss you standing there? I’m so sorry. Hi. I’m Emily.” She hugged Elisabeth, and as she drew back, recognition widened her eyes. “Elisabeth Nash? Cora’s niece?”

“The one and only. We spoke on the phone.”

Emily reached for the pie and looped her arm through Elisabeth’s with a wide smile, then dragged her toward the kitchen. Elisabeth’s nervousness disappeared.

“How do you know Ross?”

“He kind of saved my piglet from starving, and we’re neighbors.” She glanced back at Ross, who had a satisfied grin on his lips as he followed them down the hall.

“Mom, this is Elisabeth, with an
S
. She came with Ross.”

Emily had been so welcoming that she immediately put Elisabeth at ease. Hearing the consideration she’d given her name made Elisabeth feel even more comfortable, and like she wasn’t some form of an alien. She wondered if all of the Bradens were as warm as she and Ross.

Their mother had her back to Elisabeth. She had hair the color of Emily’s, like Dove chocolate, and it hung below her shoulders. When she turned, it was easy to see where Emily’s and Ross’s looks came from. They shared her full lips and welcoming smile.

“Elisabeth, I’m so sorry to hear about your aunt. Cora was a lovely woman, and I miss her dearly.” Their mother hugged her. “I’m Catherine, by the way, and it’s a pleasure to see you. I haven’t seen you since you were probably ten or eleven.”

“You knew me then?” She didn’t remember Catherine.

“Yes. I’m not surprised that you don’t remember me. I met you a few times over the summers.” Catherine touched Elisabeth’s hair. “You still have the most beautiful hair.”

“Thank you.” She glanced at Ross as he folded his mother into his arms.

“Hi, Mom. These flowers are for you.”

His mother touched his cheek. “You’re so thoughtful. Thank you, Ross.” She took the flowers as Ross grabbed a vase from a top cabinet in the kitchen.

“I didn’t know that you knew Elisabeth,” Catherine said.

“We just met, actually. Em said to bring dessert, and Elisabeth makes pies.”

Emily laughed. “Oh, please. You expect me to believe that you brought Elisabeth for her
pie
?”

Ross touched Elisabeth’s shoulder and looked at her in a way that made her insides shiver. “I brought Elisabeth because she’s just moved into town, and she’s my neighbor.”

She felt a wave of disappointment. She didn’t know why. It wasn’t like he’d given her any real reason to hope for more.

“And because I wanted to,” Ross added, at the same time he squeezed her shoulder.

Her stomach fluttered and she gave him a curious look, which he caught and answered with a sensual narrowing of his eyes. She remembered how calmly Ross had taken charge of the chaos that ensued when she’d brought the piglet into his office, and she wondered if he was always so calm and in control or if he let loose in the bedroom.

Holy crap. What am I doing?

She wondered if anyone else felt the air between them catch fire.

Catherine tried unsuccessfully to stifle a smile that pulled the edges of her lips up.

Oh God. They can!

She had a flash of worry that maybe she was being too flirtatious, or her lascivious thoughts were dragging her into a life like her mother’s, but every time she looked at Ross, she felt good all over. Not just hot in all the right places, but interested in what he said, what he did. She liked him. She really, really liked him, and the only way she could try any harder to hide her attraction was to leave—and there was no way she was going anywhere.

“Well, Elisabeth,” Catherine said, “I hope you like chicken Parmesan. It’s one of Ross’s favorites. Ross, honey, can you grab the salad and an extra place setting for Elisabeth?”

“Sure, Mom.”

They followed Catherine to the deck, where a table was set for three. Ross put the salad down, set her place at the table—while his eyes held her gaze—and pulled out a chair for Elisabeth.

“Oh, thank you.” She didn’t expect this kind of treatment from Ross, but he’d been such a gentleman with her since they’d met that maybe she should have. She liked feeling like she was special to him, and being there with his family, with him treating her the way he was, she felt more and more as though the evening was a date, regardless of what he’d said.

“How about my chair?” Emily stood by her chair and smiled at Ross.

“Of course.” He pulled out her chair. “Here you go, princess.”

Catherine sat down with a shake of her head and a smile that told of the love she had for them. “So, Elisabeth, I heard that Cora left you her property and you’re taking over her pie business. How are things going? Are you settling in okay?”

“I love it. It’s different from the pet bakery and spa that I ran in LA, but I do enjoy it. I just wish I had paid more attention to how my aunt cared for the animals, instead of just playing with them, but I’ll get the hang of it. My business included baking, but for pets, not people.” She smiled at how weird that sounded. “I know that sounds funny, but I think animals like to get treats that are just as delicious as we think cookies and cupcakes are. I mean, who doesn’t like a special treat made just for them for their birthday?”
Now I sound crazy
. She glanced at Emily and Catherine, who were listening intently—and without that
are-you-serious
look in their eyes. That gave her confidence, and she continued explaining. “I also did massages, pedicures, and grooming for cats and dogs, but I have a lot to learn about piglets, cows, and goats.” She placed her napkin in her lap, hyperaware of how close Ross’s chair was to hers and the way he was looking at her, like he was hanging on every word she said.

“My brother knows a little bit about animals. I’m sure he can help you. For a pie, I mean.” Emily wiggled her shoulders with the joke.

“Or wine,” Elisabeth added, earning her a quiver-inducing smile from Ross.

Emily and Catherine exchanged a glance accompanied by raised eyebrows and smiles. Elisabeth read it loud and clear as,
Interesting.

“Not to put pressure on you, but you said you wanted to renovate your kitchen. I’d love to know what you have in mind. I could come out next week so you can show me what you’re thinking.”

“Christ, Em, nothing like putting her on the spot.” Ross shot her a narrow-eyed stare.

“It’s fine, Ross. I’ve actually been meaning to call her again. I just haven’t made the time yet. Does next Tuesday work?” Emily was the first woman in Trusty who had made her feel welcome, and she couldn’t imagine working with anyone else.

“Perfectly. Your place is on my way home from the office. Can I swing by around five?” Emily asked.

They made plans for Tuesday afternoon. Dinner conversation came easily. They laughed and talked, and Ross told them how he’d found Elisabeth singing in the field with Dolly.

He kept a steady gaze on Elisabeth as he relayed the story. “She was adorable, sitting there in the long grass, singing about sunshine and rainy days...”

She didn’t know what to make of him, but the more he talked, the more intimate his references to her became, and the more intimate the references, the more sensual his glances. He was treating her like they were dating—had been dating for a while—and as much as she wished that were true, the fact that he hadn’t even ever tried to kiss her made her worry that maybe she was just reading too much into everything.

Catherine asked Elisabeth about her mother, life in Los Angeles, and about her new business. She seemed sincerely interested in Elisabeth’s responses, and Elisabeth enjoyed talking with her. She missed having regular conversations that didn’t revolve around name-dropping. After they finished eating, Elisabeth, Emily, and Catherine cleared the table while Ross did the dishes.

“Elisabeth, you know I’m just teasing you about Ross, right?” Emily asked. “He’s a good guy. A really good guy.”

“Oh, it’s not like that. We’re just friends.”
I think
.

Emily grabbed the condiments. “Just friends, really?”

“Emily, stop prying,” Catherine said. “It doesn’t matter what they are. It’s nice that she came with Ross.”

 “All I’m saying is that Ross hasn’t brought a woman to a family dinner in years.” Emily carried the condiments into the kitchen, leaving Elisabeth slack jawed.

Years? And he brought me for a no-pressure dinner?

They finished clearing the table, and while Emily and Catherine enjoyed a glass of wine on the deck, Elisabeth went to the kitchen to see Ross. She found him looking insanely sexy, elbow deep in a sudsy sink.

“Your sister has great ideas about my kitchen renovations.”

“She’s a good egg. You have to excuse the teasing.” He set a plate on the drying rack. “My whole family teases each other.”

“I like it, actually. It’s obvious how much you guys care about each other.”

Ross smiled and handed her a plate. “Thanks for coming in to hang out with me.”

She picked up a dish towel and dried the plate. “Do you always do your mom’s dishes?”

He shrugged. “She cooked, cleaned, and did my laundry for years. It’s the least I can do.”

Flowers, dishes, and appreciation?
She’d thought it was impossible for Ross to get sexier than before, but he’d just skyrocketed in the hotness department.

His phone vibrated.

“Can you do me a favor, please, and grab that?”

“Sure.” She looked around for his phone and he thrust his hip out. “Oh. Um.” She pointed at his pocket and smiled. “You want me to…”

“Yes, please?”

“O-kay.” She slid her fingers into his pocket.

“Nothing in there is going to bite,” he whispered, which made her freeze. He laughed, a soft, smooth sound full of innuendo.

She grabbed the phone as quickly as she could and held it out toward him.

He shifted his eyes to his wet hands.

“You want me to read it?” She felt her eyes widen. “What if it’s something personal?”

Emily came into the kitchen and eyed the two of them. “What’s up?”

“Never mind. I’m sorry,” Ross said to her. “Em, can you read my text? My hands are soaked.”

“Sure.” Emily took the phone and flashed a wicked grin. “Last night was amazing. When can we—”

“Emily!” He grabbed her arm with one wet hand, and she doubled over with laugher.

Elisabeth stooped to wipe the water Ross had dripped on the floor, trying to hide the pang of jealousy she felt tear through her.

“Oh please. I was just kidding. I’m sorry,” Emily said. “I couldn’t resist. You leave yourself so open to my torture, Ross. It’s from Wes. He wants to know where you are.”

“Idiot,” he said with a smile as he wiped his hands on his jeans, then texted Wes back.

Emily carried the pie out to the deck, and Ross reached down and pulled Elisabeth back up to her feet.

“Sorry. I can wipe that up.” His eyes were soft and…seductive. “I didn’t think about the whole front pocket thing. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

“It’s okay.” She wondered if he really had thought about it. She didn’t know what to make of the mixed messages he was sending.

“I’d never ask you to read a text if I was worried it might be something inappropriate.”

“It’s okay. No need to explain.”

He stepped closer, leaving only a sliver of space between them, and touched his hand to her hip, sending them down the sizzling trail once again.

“I don’t
do
inappropriate.”

 She swallowed hard at the hungry look in his eyes.

“Unless you want me to,” he added with a seductive whisper and a devilish grin.

The drive home was like sitting in an oxygenless vortex beside a man who made her engine run so hot she could barely breathe. Maybe she didn’t need oxygen after all. Ross was calm as the night, driving the truck with one elbow out the window, his hair rustling a little in the wind. She wondered if he could hear her thundering heart, or if he noticed that she was barely breathing. If he did, he didn’t let on.

He pulled into her driveway and cut the engine. For a moment there was only the stillness of the truck, the darkness, and the heat between them. Elisabeth’s pulse quickened as he stepped from the car and came around to open her door.

“Thanks for coming with me tonight.” He took her hand and helped her from the truck. “I hope you didn’t find us too obnoxious.”

“I had a great time. Thanks for taking me.” She stood inside the open truck door, her back to the cab and Ross a whisper away. Their hands were still intertwined. Just kiss him.
Lean forward. Kiss. Enjoy
.

God, now she sounded like her mother.

But she didn’t feel like her mother. The more she got to know Ross, the more clearly she saw him. He was compassionate, generous, and family was obviously important to him. He sure didn’t seem like the type of guy who was just out for hot sex, or he would have made a move already, wouldn’t he? When she looked at Ross, she felt something tingly and warm in her chest. She wasn’t on the hunt for a man, and she wasn’t on a scavenger hunt for true love, either. When true love finally found her, she’d know.

One kiss will tell me if this is real or not. I know it will
.

She couldn’t bring herself to lean a little closer and press her lips to his. Making that move still seemed a little too close to her mother’s behavior. She could wait, even if her body was revved up like an electric beater on high speed. Couldn’t she?