In a huge room they called a butler’s pantry, she rummaged around until she found the vases and selected the largest one she could find. What an idiot she’d been! Her baggy hoodie sleeve had caught when she’d been dumping in a few bucks, and when she’d wheeled, she’d pulled the damn thing with her.
Back in the kitchen, Quinn was crouched on the floor, finishing up, and she slid the vase onto the counter. “Excellent job, Sparky. You might have found your calling.”
He looked up with a smirk. “Cleaning up your messes?” A hank of hair fell across one of his eyes, and he shoved it back.
Why the hell did that move cause her insides to bust a move, and why did he look hotterthan he had before? As if he knew exactly what was streaking through her mind, a dazzling, dimpled smile overtook his features. Oh hell. Don’t go there, Sar.
He looked down, returning to his work —and thank God because she was still checking for drool—when he said, “Wanna watch some Impossible Engineering? What season are you on?”
She gave herself an inner shake. “As usual, I’m light years ahead of you. I finished that up, and now I’m into Jack Ryan.”
Even at this angle, she saw his smile broaden. “No shit? I just watched the first two episodes a few nights ago.”
“I’m up to episode five.” They spent the next half hour comparing notes on the characters, the storyline, the acting. Surprisingly, their opinions aligned.
“If I turn on episode three, would you be willing to watch with me so I can catch up?” he ventured.
She regarded him a moment, trying to ignore how handsome he was when he was earnest. “I thought you wanted to play poker.”
“I did, didn’t I? In that case, get ready to lose your panties, Sunshine.” He gave her a wicked smile that sent a warm ripple through her body.
He’s kinda handsome when he’s acting like a hotshot too. When had that brash side of his—the one she usually disliked—suddenly become appealing? Damn it! “We agreed no strip poker.”
“Goddamn. You’re sucking all the fun out of this. Guess I’ll have to take all your money instead.”
She scoffed. “You’re on, Sparky.”
Quinn gathered up the cards while Sarah clucked with triumph. “Stop being so cocky, Sunshine. You’re only up by one game.”
He hadn’t anticipated she’d be any good, but she’d surprised him. Again. Plus, conversation during play had ebbed and flowed naturally, seamlessly—even when they sparred. Especially when they sparred. Damn fun, and easy as gliding on a fresh sheet of ice. Even the silent lulls felt right.
For the first time since she’d destroyed the swear jar, he glanced at the clock, shocked that several hours had zoomed by. Damn! But he didn’t want to stop, didn’t want the night to end, so he bit his tongue about the time.
Sarah took a quick sip of her beer, giving him an appraising look. “Earlier tonight, in the kitchen, you got your undies in a bunch. What was that about?”
He still wasn’t sure himself, though the exchange about Wolf—in the sack—had triggered it. Casting his gaze to the cards he was dealing, he gave her a noncommittal shrug. “Don’t recall. Probably something snarky you said. You’re always giving me such a ration of shit; I have a hard time keeping track.”
“Well, if I offended you, I’m sorry.”
Her soft, genuine tone had him snapping his head up. “What?”
Hazel eyes sparkled with mischief above her cute little smirk. She drew her bottom lip between her teeth, and his gaze dipped unabashedly to her mouth. God, she had nice lips. Sexy, deep pink, inviting him to nibble.
“I said, I didn’t mean to offend you. This time.” Her words jarred him right out of his ridiculous reverie.
A chuckle escaped him. “Duly noted. I’m sorry if I acted like a—”
“Tool? Jerk? Dickhead?” she offered helpfully. “No apology necessary. I’m used to it.”
He shook his head with amusement. “Anyone being cooped up with you and my mom would be on edge.”
“Maybe you’re on edge because you’ve gone too long without doing the horizontal bop. Must be tough on a guy like you.”
He jerked before he could corral the movement.
She reached out and shoved his shoulder playfully. “Sorry. That was mean. Let’s get your mind off what you can’t have and get busy with your next poker defeat.” Her head went down as though she were studying the decidedly boring pattern on the back of her cards.
He stopped dealing. “What do you mean, ‘what you can’t have’?”
Her gaze lifted to his. “Uh, sex, dumbass?”
Goddamn, does she really need to remind me? Especially when she’s sitting over there looking all hot and cute and untouchable? She’d taken off her hoodie, and he’d been checking out her T-shirt that read, “This Is Why I’m Hot,” with a strategically placed drawing of a sun. Staring at her was like admiring something shiny and enticing that was locked up in a display case. Taunting and out of reach. He decided to have a little fun at her expense. “And why can’t I have sex, exactly?”
Her smug expression was firmly back in place, and she added folded arms to strike a badass pose. “Unless you’re having it with yourself, you’re kinda screwed. Not!” She guffawed at her own joke. Her head swiveled dramatically. “After all, I don’t see any potential playmates, do you?”
Now he smirked—and wiggled his eyebrows. “Thought for a sec I might be looking at one.”
Surprise flashed through her eyes before she narrowed them. Arms unfolded, and she made a circling motion with her index finger. “Nuh-uh. No effing way. Let’s see, how did you so eloquently put it? If we were on a deserted island together, I’d prefer offering myself up as shark bait.”
He rubbed his jaw dramatically. Guess I deserved that one.
Sarah gave him a quick glance. “Something wrong with your face, Sparky?”
“Just trying to get feeling back after you busted my chops.”
“Oh, good one,” she snorted.
Just like that, there was that
