“Of course, when you finally decide to marry me, you’ll have your own key.”
“A key to your borrowed castle? Wow. I’m impressed. It might be one helluva fairytale.”
“It’s going to be one for the books. But I can say one thing. You’re obviously no Snow White, showing off all those stunning hourglass curves,” he teased.
“And you’re no Prince Charming, ogling me like that!”
“You’ve got no idea how charming I can be,” he said with a wink. “Or generous.”
“I knew this bathing suit would be a hit with you,” I said, pitching my voice higher and clasping my hands to my chest as I fluttered my eyelashes.
He chucked a plush, soft towel at my head with a growl. “You’re a tease,” he said.
“Should I wear my one piece next time?”
“Stick with the bikini.”
“Okay, then. Are you sure?”
“I would be remiss to miss out on any chance I had to see that gorgeous body of yours.”
Goosebumps prickled on my skin again.
Damn! Why did he have this effect on me?
Chapter 7
The next morning was Saturday and I was enjoying my first cup of coffee when a knock sounded at my door. I cringed as the dogs barked and hollered and I wondered if I should answer. My landlord had been getting onto me lately and I wasn’t in the mood to deal with him this early. After a few minutes, there was another knock and another and I finally pushed out of my chair, shoved past the furry children and peeked through the eyehole. The second I saw those eyes, I jumped back.
“What the hell is he doing here?” I asked my dogs, but they wagged their tails and stared at the door, waiting. Debating if he’d go away or not, probably not, I finally gave in and opened the door. Charlie knocked on my door and I was shocked to see him since we didn’t have any official plans.
“Good, you’re up. I wanted to show you something,” he said excitedly as I stepped out onto my tiny porch and closed the door on the dogs. “Want to go for a ride?”
“A ride?” I asked, arching a brow at him.
He sighed. “Gutter mind! In a car, of course.”
I eyed him, wondering what he was up to, but I didn’t have anything to do except hunt for another job and that was getting to be depressing. “Sure. Let me just grab my purse and coat.”
I got my stuff, telling him it’d be best if he just waited outside, and hurriedly fixed my hair better and splashed some water on my face. When I was ready, I ducked out again and he led me to his car, opening the door for me so I could slide on in.
“So what’s up?” I asked once he was in too and started the engine.
“You’ll see.”
We drove to the other side of town, talking the whole way like we used to, and he pulled into a parking lot.
I glanced around, looking for an idea of where we were when I caught sight of the sign above the door. It was a place that offered martial arts classes or fencing lessons. It looked like a big place and it was new in town.
“Fencing lessons?” I asked.
He smiled. “Something like that.”
“When did this place open up?”
“A few weeks ago I think,” he said casually, but he was hiding something from me.
“I don’t think I’m the one that needs fencing lessons,” I said, poking him playfully. “I never lost a match to you.”