“Hm.” Penelope takes another sip of coffee.
“But,” I offer, “I could reach out to our story boarders, and see what they have to say. They would probably have a solid explanation for you. Much more than I do.”
“Oh,” Penelope smiles, looking down into her cup. “Well, there’s no need to go to any trouble. I was just wondering.”
“Not a problem.” I take a sip of my coffee. “Frankly, I’ve often wondered that exact same question myself.”
Jane snorts lightly and refuses to meet my eye.
“You said you had a second question?”
“Yeah,” Penelope takes a swig and puts the cup on the counter. “How did you get Jane drunk? I’ve been trying for years.”
“Excuse me,” Jane pokes her friend in the arm.
I laugh. “Dory helped.”
“Dory who?” Penelope asks.
“Dory Dory,” Jane says.
“Our Dory?” Penelope looks between the two of us, eyes wide.
“Dory in the cafe,” I offer. “I think that’s your Dory.”
“Dory got you drunk?” Penelope asks, eyes still wide.
“She didn’t get us drunk,” Jane shakes her head. “She just had a nice bottle in stock, and we shared one.”
“Two,” I murmur into my cup.
Penelope nods slowly, still looking at me. “I guess Dory approved of you.”
“I guess she did.”
“You know, she never agrees to go out for a drink with me.” Penelope shakes her head. “I didn’t believe Dory when she let slip you had a favorite wine. When we all get together, it’s all iced tea-this or latte-that.”
“I’m just not a big drinker,” Jane shrugs.
“Well, something got into you last night.” I meet her eyes, and she looks back into mine. Something passes between us, warm and curious and newly born.
“You know what,” Penelope puts her cup down and straightens quickly. “I just forgot. I have somewhere I need to be.”
“Where?”
“A place. A very important place.” She looks between us. “And I need to leave right now.”
“Let me walk you out,” I offer.
“No, no.” She puts up her hands, “I can manage.”
“I also should-”Jane moves to stand but Penelope puts a firm hand on her shoulder.
She pats Jane on the arm, and sends her a meaningful look. “You stay.”
“Nice to meet you, Penelope.” I raise a hand as she walks out of the kitchen. “I’ll look into that quantum time question for you.”
“You do that!” She shouts, her footsteps sounding down the hallway. I hear the door shut behind her. A few minutes later, the sound of her car starting, reversing across the gravel, and driving down the driveway.
Jane and I are alone.
18
Jane
We’re alone.
In his house.
I mentally shake myself. We’ve been alone before. In the woods, when I was naked for crying out loud. And in his house, together several times. This time isn’t any different.
But the way he’s staring at me tells me I’m wrong.
“You ruined my plans, you know.” He’s looking at me, one large hand resting gently on the top of his coffee mug, tracing the lip with his thumb.
“What plans?”
He smiles, that liquid sex movement of his mouth, all smoldering eyes and dark stare. It’s impossible to resist.
“It occurred to me this morning that I now know where you live. So, I was going to pick up coffee and donuts and bring them to your house.”
“There’s no need for that. Really.” I grip my cup in both hands, holding it in front me like a defensive shield. I’m not afraid of him. In fact, I notice a curious relaxation steal over me whenever we’re in the same room together, as if my body recognizes something my mind does not.
“My plan was to knock on your door, under the pretense of checking up on you.” He continues to run his thumb over the rim of his mug. “And then, once I was inside,” he lifts the mug to his lips, “seduce you.”
He takes a long, slow sip, his eyes never leaving mine.
I clear my throat. “Seduce me?”
He nods. Lips still pressed to the coffee mug.
“With coffee and donuts?”
“Those were the distraction, not the seduction. Like your friend, Penelope. You brought her here to distract me, right?”
“Well,” I look down, hoping to disappear inside my mug. “I figured, last night was an anomaly, and I didn’t want you to be embarrassed-”
“I’m not embarrassed.”
“-And I know Penelope would have plenty to say to you, so-”
“So you hoped I’d be too busy talking about fake science to notice when you grabbed your car and snuck away?” He takes another sip. “Is that what you thought?”
I clear my throat again, staring into the depths of my mug.
To hell with it. He’s onto me.
I look up, meet his gaze squarely.
“Yes. That is exactly what I thought.”
He nods. “I’m glad you failed.”
I put the mug on the counter, plastering a smile to my face. “Thank you for the coffee, but I-”
“Jane.” His voice is soft, those silver eyes looking at me, looking into me. My body, traitorous as always, remains still, soft and pliant in front of him. My heart beats wildly in my chest, pressing so hard against my rib cage I wonder if it might fly out and smack him in his perfect face. My mind, the only rational, sensible part of me, is screaming to run away, save myself, get out before it’s too late.
But I already know.
It is too late.
“I had a wonderful time last night.” He puts down his mug and walks slowly around the kitchen island, coming towards me. “Talking with you, laughing with you.” He leaves one hand on the counter, trailing it and maintaining eye contact. I get the distinct impression he’s treating me like a wild animal, approaching me cautiously, gently, as if aware I’m ready to bolt.
My body is mellow and relaxed. I stand here, waiting for him to reach me, while the sensible part of myself says I should be leaving, thanking him for the coffee, grabbing my bag, and walking out the door.
“Stay with me today.” He’s standing next to me now. Those grey eyes peering into mine. I tilt my head back
