“Maybe a few.”
“It’s the coat,” she teased. “Something about its white splendor is so...so enticing.”
“Is it?”
She rolled her eyes. “Why don’t you ride on home before you freeze, cowboy?”
He laughed. “I’m going, I’m going, but I keep forgetting to give you this.” He pulled a white envelope from his coat pocket. “I know you probably don’t have time for this, but I promised I’d pass it along to you.”
She stared at the UET Veterinary Medicine envelope. “Is it an order form for my own white coat?”
“You wish.”
She chuckled.
Silence set in, long and awkward. She didn’t have the nerve to look at him. Not now. Instead, she stared at the envelope in her hands. “Well, thanks for this.” She tapped the corner of the envelope in her palm. “It’s late—”
“Jo.” His voice changed, from teasing to husky and a little too sexy in two minutes flat.
“Oh, am I supposed to open this now?” she asked, tearing the top of the envelope. She pulled out the papers, skimming over the letter. This was a commission? A very well-paid commission. For a mural for the waiting room at the teaching veterinary hospital.
“No.” He sighed. “I was... I was wondering if you’re free for dinner tomorrow night.”
She stared at him, the commission forgotten. “But...” Did he not notice his son’s reaction tonight? “Hunter—”
“Jo.” His voice was a whisper. He moved forward, his eyes sweeping over her face.
Her entire body seemed to quiver, waiting for his touch. She stepped back but, somehow, he seemed even closer.
“Don’t say no.” His words were so low, gruff.
She couldn’t say anything. Not now, when he was looking at her like that. Instead, she swallowed, searching for some sassy comeback to counter the dangerous warmth spreading through every single cell of her body. In two steps, her back was against the wall.
He stepped forward. “One night. No history. No interruptions. Just me and you.”
“A date?” Her question was a whisper.
His hand reached up, gently grasping one of her curls. Something about the way he caressed her hair made her ache for his touch. “What do you say, Jo?” His eyes met hers. Blazing, electric, the pull almost physical. He released the curl, placing his big hands on either side of her head.
She blew out a shaky breath, unable to hide the effect he was having on her. His mouth was so close, his breath caressing her skin. His gaze explored her face, slow and intense. His nostrils flared and his jaw went tight. She sucked in a deep breath and tilted her head, an unmistakable invitation. Her heart kicked into overdrive as he leaned forward. She closed her eyes, waiting, ready, willing, bursting.
His forehead rested against hers.
“I’m not going to kiss you until you say yes,” he rasped.
Her eyes popped open. “Yes,” she answered quickly, too quickly. Not that there was any point in denying what was happening. They both felt it—they both wanted it.
His gaze searched her face, long and slow. Then he smiled and stepped away from her. He shoved his hands in his pockets and cleared his throat. “I’ll pick you up at seven o’clock.”
She stared at him, in complete shock. “But...but I didn’t—”
“You said yes, Jo,” he said softly.
“Hunter, that’s not what I was saying yes to.”
“What were you saying yes to, then?”
She swallowed. No way she was going to admit she wanted him to kiss her, not with him standing there all cocky. “But my dad—”