He smiled, relishing the sound of his name on her tongue. Funny, how such a little thing could bring him pleasure. What had happened to him? When had he become pleased by so little when it came to a woman?
But it wasn’t a little thing. Not when it came to Colleen.
“Natalie asked me to meet you guys. I told her I’d come,” he replied quickly. In fact, Natalie had casually asked him if he was coming with them to the bakery, but she hadn’t seemed particularly invested in whether he was there one way or another. The only thing he knew about cake was that if it tasted good, he’d eat it. The appeal of the cake-choosing ritual rose considerably in his estimation, however, when he learned Colleen would be there.
Another tear spilled down her cheek.
“Colleen?”
“Yes?”
“I meant it when I said you were beautiful.”
She started in surprise and then averted her face, swiping at her cheeks with the back of her hand. “My mascara is probably smearing,” she mumbled uncomfortably.
He smiled. “It is. And I still mean it.”
More than I did even a few minutes ago. You’re getting more beautiful by the second in my eyes.
His brow furrowed when he recognized the automatic thought. When had his feelings for her grown so potent?
“I’ll see you on Monday,” he said gruffly. When she gave him an uncertain nod, he walked down the hallway, leaving her with extreme reluctance.
Chapter Six
Colleen rushed into Celino’s Bakery Monday evening carrying a bag filled with Halloween candy. Celino’s was in the same strip mall as the Shop and Save. She’d hoped she’d be able to check off two errands in one sweep, but hadn’t figured on everyone in Harbor Town having the same idea about getting their Halloween supplies. Now she was late.
The friendly young woman at the front counter immediately showed her to a back room. She paused on the threshold at the vision of Eric inserting a fork and a generous hunk of white cake between his lips. Lined up in front of him on the table were several plates, a slice of cake on each one. Natalie and Liam sat across from him. When they turned to greet her, Colleen saw they were looking through a book filled with photographs of elaborate wedding cakes. A smiling, gray-haired lady sat at the head of the table.
Eric held her gaze as he chewed his cake. Something about his small smile, or the movements of his slightly whiskered jaw, or the expression in his eyes—like they shared a secret—immediately made her mind leap to that kiss on Saturday night. She’d kissed him several times now, and on each occasion the experience had felt more intense. It made her a little dumbfounded every time she acknowledged how close she’d come to sleeping with him…even when that had been the last thing she’d planned.
Something had changed that night in her living room. Colleen had been forced to admit to herself the obvious. She was attracted to Eric Reyes. Very attracted. Denial of that fact seemed ridiculous, considering what had nearly happened.
Nevertheless, that’s precisely what she’d determined she needed to do.
She wasn’t looking to be in a relationship, and based on Eric’s playboy reputation, he wasn’t interested in anything serious. He’d more than insinuated, in fact, that he didn’t believe in long-term, serious relationships, period. He’d broken his share of hearts in Harbor Town in the past few years; that much was certain.
Engaging in a dance of attraction with Eric, given their future family connection, was a certain recipe for disaster. It was inevitable they’d have to spend time together for the next few weeks. She would be friendly and cooperative. Even a little flirting wouldn’t be the worst thing on the planet, would it? But that was as far as she’d let it go.
Definitely. Nothing further than casual, surface attraction. End of story.
What she’d said to him Saturday night kept replaying in her mind, making her blush at inopportune moments.
I’m not ready for this. I’m not ready for you.
She’d never been much of a drama queen before. Her little speech struck her as highly embarrassing, given Eric’s casual intentions.
She entered the room and set down the bag and her purse, saying hello to everyone around the table and shaking hands with Lily Celino, the matriarch of the family-owned bakery.
“Sorry I’m late,” Colleen apologized. “There was a Halloween rush at the grocery store.”
“No problem, we just got started,” Lily assured her.
“I see you’re enjoying yourself. I should have known there was some reason you wanted to come,” Colleen commented to Eric archly as he sunk his fork into a slice of red velvet cake. It seemed easiest just to revert back to her typical sarcastic, teasing manner of relating to him. If she gave him the cold shoulder, it might highlight the significance of those steaming minutes in her liv
ing room the other night.
He shrugged. “Someone had to be the official taster,” he told her, his eyes sweeping over her appreciatively as she came around the table to sit beside him in the only empty chair. Colleen glanced nervously across the table, hoping Liam and Natalie hadn’t noticed Eric’s warm appraisal. They hadn’t. Liam had a bemused expression on his face as he stared at the elaborate cake design, while Natalie and Lily talked animatedly. Colleen glanced sideways at Eric.