“Yes, I can.” She shifted in her seat, and kept glancing toward the door where Mrs. Bonner would appear.
He chuckled as she squirmed. “We have to talk about this.”
“There’s nothing to talk about.”
Jesse leaned forward, and the chair legs landed on the floor with a thud. He covered her hand with his, which she attempted to ease back. “I think there is. You can’t deny the attraction between us. I’m not sorry it happened.” He hesitated for a moment. “And the offer of marriage still stands.”
Good lord, why did he say that? She’d probably slap him. And when did his brain lose control of his mouth?
Tori gasped and jumped up. Jesse’s hand shot out to stop her. “No, don’t leave.”
Her face beet red, she sat when Mrs. Bonner came out of the kitchen, holding two full plates.
“Are you all right, Tori?” She placed the sandwich in front of her. “Your face is all red.” Her work-worn hands ran lightly over Tori’s face. “No fever.”
Tori mumbled to her lap. “I’m fine. It’s a bit warm in here.” She glared at Jesse when he snorted.
Jesse dropped a satchel at his feet and knocked on Tori’s front door. Dressed in his lawyer suit, as Ellie referred to it, he tugged at his shirt collar, then wiped his forehead. Heat from the July day stifled the air.
“Why are you knocking?” Tori struggled up the street, her arms loaded with schoolwork. He took it all from her before she opened the door.
“Your back door was locked.”
Tori smiled. “It’s how I keep out the vermin.”
After dumping his burden on the table, he helped himself to a cookie. Tori bent over her shoe, tying the laces. Her well-rounded bottom rose in the air. Jesse stopped chewing, his mouth dry. Heat from the day didn’t have anything to do with the fire flowing through his veins. He tugged again at his collar. She stood abruptly when he released a contained breath.
He leaned against the wall, cookie in hand, a mocking lift of one eyebrow. A slow blush pushed past the neckline of her dress and continued to the roots of her hair.
So she knew what I thought.
She narrowed her eyes. “What are you staring at?”
He pushed away from the wall. “The scenery, darlin’, just admirin’ the view.”
She attempted to go around him. “Why don’t you go away and let me get my work done?”
He rested his hands on her shoulders, rubbing his thumbs in small circles at the base of her neck. “You know how you’re always telling me to get lost?”
“Of course.” Her eyes drifted closed as he continued his ministrations.
“Your dream has come true. I’m leaving.” He held his breath, waiting for her reaction. Her eyes snapped open as her jaw dropped.
“Leaving?” She choked.
“Don’t tell me you’ll miss me.” He laid his hand over his heart, grinning.
“Of course not. Good riddance.”
Did he see tears in her beautiful eyes?
“So when are you leaving?” She blinked rapidly and fussed with the papers on the table.
“Now.”
Her head jerked toward him. “Now?”
Jesse pulled her forward. She looked so lost. No matter how she tried to deny it, she felt the tug. Something he intended to pursue. He put his palms on either side of her face and lowered his head. The scent of rose water and cinnamon assailed his nostrils. Her breath, warm and sweet, floated over his mouth like a perfume.