The butterflies in her stomach did their own version of the merengue. ?
??Please, Damian. I’m new to this single life and only now feeling my way. As I told you, I’m not a bed hopping type person. Cody was my first and only.”
His fingers played with her hair. “I’m glad to hear that.”
She sighed. “Goodnight.”
“I’ll meet you in the dining room for breakfast. What time?”
“Eight?”
“Sounds good.”
He kissed her on the forehead, and stood there while she slid the plastic card in the slot. The lock popped, and she placed her hand on the doorknob. She smiled at him over her shoulder, then entered the room and closed the door.
No longer able to sustain her weight, her legs gave out, and she slid to the floor, her back pressed against the coolness of the metal door. Everything female in her screamed to open it back up and drag Damian in. Take him to her bed and finish what he so eagerly had started. Kerry counted to ten to give her heart a chance to slow down, and her senses to return.
She inhaled deeply, and unclenched her fists. No. This was the time in her life to assert her independence. To do the right thing, not what someone else thought was the right thing. She’d come this far, and wasn’t giving up.
Slowly, she rose and headed to the bed, where she collapsed on her back, staring at the ceiling.
Why was it the right thing didn’t always feel right?
Chapter Six
“The zoo?” Kerry stared in amazement into Damian’s deep brown eyes.
“Yeah, why not? You have a few hours to kill until your appointment.” They’d finished breakfast, and Damian had suggested they visit the Rio Grande Zoo. “I’ve been there a few times, and it’s very entertaining. One of the better ones in the country, in fact.”
She smiled. “I like zoos.”
“See? Another thing we have in common. I try to make it to the zoo no matter what city I’m visiting. Sometime, I’ll give you a run down on the best and the worst in the country.”
Kerry glanced at the small gold watch on her wrist. “As long as we’re back at the hotel by one-forty-five for my appointment with Spencer Realty. Marilyn Spencer is meeting me here. She has several condos to show me.”
“You got it.” He signed the check sitting alongside him and stood.
Kerry gestured to the bill. “I need to pay my share of that.”
“My treat.”
“No, Damian. I’m serious. You paid for dinner last night. I’ve budgeted for this trip, and I want to pay my own way.” If she was going to assert her independence, it might as well start here and now.
He grinned, raising her ire.
“What?”
“Nothing. If you want to pay your share, fine.” He glanced at the check again. “With tax and tip, six dollars should cover it.”
Kerry fished through her purse, plucked out her wallet and handed him a five and a single.
Still smiling, he shook his head, and stuffed the money into his shirt pocket. “Let’s go.”
He placed his hand on her lower back as they left the hotel. Her skin burned right through her blouse where his hand rested, making her want to purr like a contented kitten.
Located next to the river, the Rio Grande Zoo also encompassed an aquarium and botanical gardens. Once they’d passed through the entrance gate, Damian recommended they take the train, which circled the entire zoo. With the limited time they had to spend, it was the quickest way to decide which exhibits they wanted most to explore.
“I suggest we start with the Africa section.” Head bent, Damian studied the colorful map they’d received at the entrance.