Read Online License to Date by Susan Hatler - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Susan Hatler
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where Paul’s gorgeous blues were intent on mine and our mouths were mere centimeters apart. My stomach flipped and I had the strong urge to press my mouth to his. Instead, I stepped aside. “I’m the H.R. Manager at Woodward Systems Corp downtown.”
He nodded, then poured the burgundy wine. “H.R. seems like the perfect fit for you.”
“How so?” I said, curious as to what he thought of me.
Handing me a glass, he said, “You seem like a woman who follows the rules and likes things in order.” Then the side of his mouth curved upward and an adorable dimple formed. “At least most of the time.”
Definitely not right now since every part of me wanted to break all my rules, slip my arms around Paul, and pick up where we’d left off in that photo. That would so not be for the remodel. “May I see the tile now?”
“First show me the area by the dock where you want to use it. So I can make sure we have enough leftover tiles to cover the space.” His eyes glinted mischievously, then he lifted his wine glass up. “To your remodel and making your home exactly the way you want it.”
I clinked my glass to his. “Thank you.”
His eyes held mine as he brought his glass to his mouth.
I watched him as I sipped, remembering how his mouth had felt against mine. A shiver ran through me. No! I would not let myself fall under his spell. Focus, Kaitlin. F.O.C.U.S.
My mouth curved up into a polite smile. “Shall we go?”
He smiled back, then lifted the small black bag over his shoulder. “Lead the way.”
Wine in hand, I strode through my living room to the sliding door, then slipped my toes into my flip-flops. I turned on the backyard lights, then Paul fell in line beside me as we walked across my lawn then down the railroad-tie steps, lit on either side by tiny lampposts. We made our way to the base edge of my property by the river with my beloved—and badly weathered—small wooden table and two Adirondack chairs.
Bringing Paul to my happy place worried me. I’d always come alone before. What if I lost the magic by sharing it with him? But as soon as I saw the water, the peaceful feeling washed over me. I closed my eyes, savoring the serenity, then turned to find Paul studying me. “What do you think?”
“It’s definitely special.” He turned to check out the area under the dim light of two large lampposts. A splay of rocks reached out toward the calm, glassy river. Bushes and trees scattered along either side of the water. “I can see why you love it here.”
I smiled, then curled up in an Adirondack, and watched him. “Think there’s enough tile?”
“Should be plenty.” He made long strides across the perimeter as if taking measurements, then he sat next to me and pulled out a gorgeous, terra-cotta tile from his bag. “I assume you want to cover this entire rectangular area over the dead grass?”
“That’s the plan.” Turning toward him, I ran my fingers over the smooth, earthy surface. “It’s beautiful and looks expensive. I’m not sure I’ll be able to afford it.”
“Don’t worry.” He winked. “The hotel gives me a great discount.”
I set the tile on the small table between us. “Since this week is the last of my dating deal, I’m also on my own for figuring out how to lay tile.”
He twisted toward me. “I know a contractor who would make you a good deal. Let me look into it.”
“That’s really nice of you to help me out, Paul.” Yeah, too nice. There had to be something wrong with this guy. “What’s your worst flaw?”
The corner of his mouth twitched. “You trying to paint me as a bad guy?”
“Just trying to figure you out.” Nice. Charming. Handsome. And an amazing kisser. No guy could be this perfect. He was probably like every other man who seemed great at first, then as soon as you dug deeper you found out he’d been dating your sister on the side. “Take your last girlfriend, for example. What was her biggest complaint about
He nodded, then poured the burgundy wine. “H.R. seems like the perfect fit for you.”
“How so?” I said, curious as to what he thought of me.
Handing me a glass, he said, “You seem like a woman who follows the rules and likes things in order.” Then the side of his mouth curved upward and an adorable dimple formed. “At least most of the time.”
Definitely not right now since every part of me wanted to break all my rules, slip my arms around Paul, and pick up where we’d left off in that photo. That would so not be for the remodel. “May I see the tile now?”
“First show me the area by the dock where you want to use it. So I can make sure we have enough leftover tiles to cover the space.” His eyes glinted mischievously, then he lifted his wine glass up. “To your remodel and making your home exactly the way you want it.”
I clinked my glass to his. “Thank you.”
His eyes held mine as he brought his glass to his mouth.
I watched him as I sipped, remembering how his mouth had felt against mine. A shiver ran through me. No! I would not let myself fall under his spell. Focus, Kaitlin. F.O.C.U.S.
My mouth curved up into a polite smile. “Shall we go?”
He smiled back, then lifted the small black bag over his shoulder. “Lead the way.”
Wine in hand, I strode through my living room to the sliding door, then slipped my toes into my flip-flops. I turned on the backyard lights, then Paul fell in line beside me as we walked across my lawn then down the railroad-tie steps, lit on either side by tiny lampposts. We made our way to the base edge of my property by the river with my beloved—and badly weathered—small wooden table and two Adirondack chairs.
Bringing Paul to my happy place worried me. I’d always come alone before. What if I lost the magic by sharing it with him? But as soon as I saw the water, the peaceful feeling washed over me. I closed my eyes, savoring the serenity, then turned to find Paul studying me. “What do you think?”
“It’s definitely special.” He turned to check out the area under the dim light of two large lampposts. A splay of rocks reached out toward the calm, glassy river. Bushes and trees scattered along either side of the water. “I can see why you love it here.”
I smiled, then curled up in an Adirondack, and watched him. “Think there’s enough tile?”
“Should be plenty.” He made long strides across the perimeter as if taking measurements, then he sat next to me and pulled out a gorgeous, terra-cotta tile from his bag. “I assume you want to cover this entire rectangular area over the dead grass?”
“That’s the plan.” Turning toward him, I ran my fingers over the smooth, earthy surface. “It’s beautiful and looks expensive. I’m not sure I’ll be able to afford it.”
“Don’t worry.” He winked. “The hotel gives me a great discount.”
I set the tile on the small table between us. “Since this week is the last of my dating deal, I’m also on my own for figuring out how to lay tile.”
He twisted toward me. “I know a contractor who would make you a good deal. Let me look into it.”
“That’s really nice of you to help me out, Paul.” Yeah, too nice. There had to be something wrong with this guy. “What’s your worst flaw?”
The corner of his mouth twitched. “You trying to paint me as a bad guy?”
“Just trying to figure you out.” Nice. Charming. Handsome. And an amazing kisser. No guy could be this perfect. He was probably like every other man who seemed great at first, then as soon as you dug deeper you found out he’d been dating your sister on the side. “Take your last girlfriend, for example. What was her biggest complaint about
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