charts, but he was a perfect gentleman the whole day. He barely touched me, but we laughed a lot and he was… friendly.
Huh. Eli Boudreaux and I are friends.
I grin as I walk through my loft, and my iPhone lights up with a FaceTime call from my cousin Rhys. I grin as I press accept and sit out on my balcony to take the call.
“Well, hello, gorgeous. You are a sight for sore eyes.”
“Hey, handsome. Back at you.”
Chapter Six
Eli
“Do you want to come in?” she asks, her green eyes smiling up at me.
Fuck, yes, I want to come in. Which means, I’d better not go in there because I’ve kept my hands off of her all day and my resistance is dying a slow, painful death.
“I have a bit of work to do this evening,” I lie easily. She immediately looks down, disappointment shadowing her eyes, and I feel like the first-class asshole I’m known to be. But I’d be an even bigger asshole if I followed her in and seduced those expensive panties off her.
“Okay, well thanks again.” She offers me another of her sweet smiles, then closes the door behind her and flips the deadbolt lock with a loud click.
I lean my forehead on her door and quietly take a long, deep breath.
I can still smell her.
I walk down her stairs and stroll to my own empty house, thoughts of Kate still running through my head. I don’t remember the last time I took a whole day away from the office, and I certainly don’t remember the last time I enjoyed myself so much.
Kate’s enthusiasm for everything new is contagious. Her love of the music, the food, hell…even that crazy palm reader. She jumps in with both feet and relishes the experience, making being in her company simply effortless.
And maybe that’s what has me scared shitless.
I’ve taken my home for granted my whole life. My father always pointed out to us that we live in a special place, but until I spent the past week sharing it with Kate, it never occurred to me to truly appreciate it.
Her delight in red beans and rice and a shrimp po’ boy this afternoon brings a smile to my lips. The woman can eat unlike anyone else I’ve ever been with. Most women pick at lettuce and turn their nose up at walking anywhere , not to mention walking for blocks and blocks, wandering through shops full of overpriced gaudy knick-knacks.
Not that I typically pay attention to those sorts of things, as long as they’re fun in bed and don’t get too attached.
But Kate’s different. Yes, I want to tumble her into bed and mess her up more than I want my next breath, but I enjoy her company just as much. Making her smile makes my stomach clench. Listening to her laugh makes my chest ache.
And when she slid her hand in mine and linked our fingers when we crossed the street, it was the easiest touch I’ve ever had.
I walk up the stairs to the master bedroom, toe off my shoes, and stare at my balcony, wondering if she’ll go out to enjoy the rest of her evening.
And if so, would she mind if I join her?
God, I’ve become a pussy.
I just saw her five minutes ago, and I’m already craving her company. And that’s exactly what it is: I crave her. Her body, her thoughts, her smile.
All of her.
She’s made parts of me come alive that have been long dead, and I’m not sure if I can trust this yearning in my gut, yet I can’t stop it.
I cross to the doors and open them, but before I can step out onto the balcony, I can hear her voice. And a man’s.
I shove my hands in my pockets and finger the half-dollar in my right hand.
“Well, hello, gorgeous. You’re a sight for sore eyes.”
“Hey, handsome. Back at you.”
“How are you down there in the Big Easy?”
I inch outside and see that her back is to me, and she’s talking via FaceTime on her iPhone.
“Things are great down here. How are you? Are you taking care of yourself? I know you work so hard, and I worry, you know.”
“Stop worrying about me, love. I’m strong as an ox.” I raise a brow at the term of
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