Draw Me Close (16 page)

He could obviously sense her hesitation. “I've got a truck, you know?”

Lindsey laughed. “You might have me there. I usually have to hire someone to haul things for me.” Something she couldn't afford in her build budget right now if it could be helped. Anne had paid her a good chunk of her fee up front but it wouldn't last long. And while Anne and Mike also paid for all the supplies, Lindsey wanted this one to be a secret until it was completely done.

Derek grinned. “See how useful I can be?”

“Okay, fine. You can come with me. But I warn you, I go early.”

He shrugged. “Not a problem. I'll pick you up. We can grab some breakfast.”

“Breakfast? What for?” They were already having a picnic dinner. Doing another meal in just a few days time could put them into dangerous territory. “We shouldn't try and make this into … a
thing
.”

“I'm not making this into a thing. What does that even mean … a
thing
?”

“You know, more than it is.”

He leveled her with an irritated yet amused glare. “Lindsey, this is nothing. Two people working on a project together and eating in the general vicinity of one another at a table. There might possibly—hopefully—be conversation involved. But that is definitely not a thing.”

She considered his words for a moment, picking at the wrapper on her beer bottle. “Okay. Friday morning pick me up at seven.”

Derek was noticeably pleased with her answer, his easy smile teasing her. “See how easy this is?”

“How easy what is?” All she could think was how easy it was to find him adorable even when she'd sworn to herself they wouldn't even get this far with each other.

“Being friends with me,” Derek said. He gave her a wink before picking up another piece of pizza.

Lindsey just needed to keep reminding herself that friends was all it would ever be.

 

Ten

Derek pulled into the parking lot of Lindsey's condo a few days later. Or her sister's condo, who he assumed was also the woman currently coming down the stairs with Lindsey and a small baby in tow.

Derek parked his truck and exited the vehicle. The sun was warm but the air still held a winter chill. He stepped onto the sidewalk. “Good morning. You must be Melanie,” he said.

She took his hand but he didn't miss the slight skepticism in her expression. He had a really good feeling this woman knew everything about his history with Lindsey. Not a surprise, they were sisters. Even looked a hell of a lot alike. Melanie wasn't as pretty as Lindsey, but she was still attractive, albeit a little rough looking with her hair in a messy bun and oversized sweatpants. He assumed it was the early morning look of a woman with a new baby. Not that any man in his right mind would ever mention anything like that out loud.

“Nice to finally meet you,” she said with a hint of warning.

“Likewise.” He turned to the adorable baby in her arms and touched her chubby outstretched hand. “And this must be Eden.”

“It is,” Lindsey finally chimed in. He turned and smiled at her over Eden's head as the tiny little fist clamped onto his finger.

He chuckled. “She's strong. Must run in the family.” He met Lindsey's eyes once more.

Eden jerked his finger and Derek looked back at her just in time to be rewarded with a big toothless smile. He could definitely see hints of Lindsey in her little round face and large eyes. For a fleeting second he imagined what it would have been like to have a child with Lindsey.

“She likes you,” Mel said. “I guess I'll defer to her judgment for now. But I'm watching you.”

“Melanie,”
Lindsey said with a gasp, clearly embarrassed by her sister's verbal warning.

Derek cleared his throat and untangled his finger from Eden's grasp. “I'll consider myself warned, then.”

“Let's get going,” Lindsey said. She leaned over and kissed Eden's head of dark hair. “Bye, bean.”

Derek smiled at the exchange and looked once more at Melanie, who apparently hadn't taken her eyes off him. “It was nice to meet you.”

“Mmm-hmm,” she said. He could only give a silent laugh as he turned and headed back to his truck. He could hear the two sisters having a whispered exchange behind him, but he just went and opened Lindsey's door, willing to wait. It was nice to know that Lindsey had a sister that cared so much, but it was also a reminder of all the roadblocks between them. Also of how bad it had been when he'd left her. The fallout must have been severe for a sister to be so overly protective. That thought sobered him a little.

After a moment he watched as Lindsey made her way over to him. She looked beautiful today in tight pink jeans that highlighted her generous and sexy lower half, white Chucks, and a worn denim shirt. Her hair was loose and flowing, his favorite, and she slipped a pair of sunglasses onto her face. It really didn't matter what Lindsey wore, she always looked gorgeous.

“Thank you,” she said quietly as she ducked under his arm and climbed into the truck. Without waiting for her to try he pulled himself up and buckled in her seat belt. She smelled good with that hint of citrus, and something else feminine. He wondered what perfume she wore.

Once in the driver's seat he headed north toward the West Bottoms. They were quiet for a few moments. Every time they were together it still felt a little like two steps forward one back.

“So is there somewhere we can eat down there?”

“There's a diner on Eighth.”

“Okay, diner it is.” After another minute of silence he glanced at her. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah.” Her answer came too quickly and without his prompting for more she continued. “It's just … this is a little weird. Isn't it?”

He shrugged. “Not for me. I like being with you.”

He didn't look over but from the corner of his eye he caught her turn away toward her window. Derek held in a sigh. He felt like she was constantly warring with herself about being his friend. He wondered how much of today's hesitation stemmed from that final chat with her sister.

Ten minutes later Derek pulled down into the West Bottoms. The now hip antiques shopping area had once been the thriving stockyards and trade epicenter of Kansas City in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Being an architect, Derek had gone through a period of learning everything he could about the planning and development of Kansas City. The giant warehouse buildings were now home to shops, a few restaurants, and some of the largest haunted houses in the United States during the fall. He hadn't been down here in years but clearly it was the place to be on the first weekend of the month. There were cars and people everywhere.

He turned onto Eighth Street and Lindsey pointed. “There it is, just ahead on the right.”

Derek found a parking spot and then reached over to unlatch her seat belt before getting out. They walked up to the door in silence, but Derek nearly groaned aloud when he held the door open for Lindsey and was hit with one of his favorite smells ever: coffee and bacon.

The diner was a cute place. Probably could use an update, but he figured that was the look they were going for. Or, more likely, they just didn't give a damn.

A server passing by pointed to a booth along the back wall where they could sit. Derek followed Lindsey through the dining area and he couldn't help but get a good look at the backside of her pink jeans.
Good Lord.
He was getting tired of admiring her from a distance. He wanted to touch her.

They sat down across from each other and she immediately picked up her menu. He chose instead to lean on the table and watch her. After a moment she peeked over the top of the laminated sheet.

“I suggest you decide,” she urged. “These servers here are busy and they want you to be ready when they come over.”

He smiled at her. “You think I can't charm a server? I guarantee you I can.”

She rolled her eyes but he could see the way her lips creased at the corners. “There is no doubt of that.”

He still did as she suggested, quickly deciding on the Ranch Hand Platter. He immediately went back to observing her, the way her eyes narrowed as she contemplated. Her fingers, perfect dark gray nail polish this time. The natural highlights in her hair that framed her face. Even the tiny freckle just below her left eye. He could analyze the finer details of Lindsey Morales all day long.

From the corner of his eye he saw a middle-aged woman approaching their table. He whispered, “Oh my God, she's coming. You better be ready, she already looks pissed.”

Lindsey set down her menu. She was trying and failing to hide her smile.

“Morning, folks,” the server said. She instantly grabbed Lindsey's coffee mug. “Coffee?”

“Please,” Lindsey replied. She looked at Derek and he give her a wink.

“Coffee for the gentleman?”

“Absolutely.” Derek handed her his mug and glanced at the woman's name tag.

“Thank you, Lynn,” he said when she put down his mug. Lynn noticeably preened a little at his words. Derek smirked at Lindsey who just rolled her eyes.

“What can I get you two for breakfast?” Lynn asked, her smile more genuine this time.

He nodded to Lindsey to go first. When she was finished, Derek gave his order and immediately the woman smiled at him. “I guessed you to be a Ranch Hand kind of guy.”

“Uh-oh, I hate to be predictable.” Derek smiled in Lindsey's direction.

“Uh-uh,” the server said as she picked up their menus. “This one is a compliment. You two let me know if you need anything, ya here?”

“Thank you so much, Lynn,” Derek said, before taking a sip of his coffee.

When they were alone once again, he grinned at Lindsey.

She was shaking her head. “That really wasn't so impressive. She's a middle-aged woman, you're a handsome younger man. I don't think there was much skill involved.”

Derek huffed out a laugh and without thinking blurted out, “Okay, I can agree with that. So is that what it takes? Do I need to wait until you're middle-aged for my
handsomeness
to work on you? Or should I maybe just try a little harder.”

Her eyelids fluttered down, her fingers began fidgeting against the wooden tabletop. “Stop. This is supposed to be just breakfast. Remember?”

Derek leaned a little farther across the table. “You still afraid we're stepping over the line here?”

She shrugged. “Maybe.”

Derek sat up straight but continued staring at her. Her sister had definitely gotten into her head. “Lindsey, I've enjoyed working with you. A lot. It feels good to be with you like this. You can't tell me it doesn't feel good to you, too.”

She relaxed, her shoulders dropping just a little. She put her hands on the table, chunky brace and all, and folded her fingers together. “Of course it does. Better than being angry. I don't like to feel angry at anyone.”

“It's more than that. I'm not just anyone.”

Her eyes darted to his and he could tell he was on the verge of going too far. But it felt as if she were so close to giving him a hint of her feelings. “Derek. Please,” she whispered.

Derek leaned forward once more, his hands resting near hers. He lowered his voice. “Please what, Lindsey? Tell me.”

He took a gamble and slid his middle finger very slowly across the side of her hand, down the length of her little finger, all the way to the tip of her painted nail. Rule two, officially broken. He wanted to obliterate that rule. Touch her so thoroughly that there was no going back. She didn't move, her eyes staring at his fingers. Did she want him to touch her again? Only one way to find out.

This time he picked up her pinky and gently caressed it. It was a seemingly innocent touch, but it almost felt wicked as the pad of his thumb slowly massaged her knuckle.

Just as he was contemplating his next move, Lindsey pulled her fingers away under the guise of grabbing her coffee mug and sliding it closer. Derek pulled his hands back and watched quietly as she picked through the little bowl of individual creamer cups. She frowned.

“What?” he asked. “Not see what you want?”

“Usually they have hazelnut. None today.” She picked up a couple of vanillas.

“Well, hold on,” He glanced around the room for Lynn.

“No, it's fine. I'll just use something else,” she protested quietly. “She's busy.”

“Linds, stop. I want you to have exactly what you want.”

A moment later the server came out from the kitchen and Derek gave her a subtle signal. She walked right over.

“Lynn, could you do us a big favor and get us some hazelnut creamers?”

“Sure thing, I'll be right back, sweetie.” Lynn headed for a side station.

Derek turned to Lindsey and gave her a wink. “See, if I can't flirt with you I'll just flirt with Lynn.”

Lindsey's eyes dropped and she let out the most beautiful laugh. He was in trouble.

*   *   *

Lindsey stepped out of the diner and into the warmth of the morning. The sun was shining and birds were chirping. She hoped spring was here to stay, but it had been known to snow in March so one was never sure. Not that it mattered now because her insides were like an inferno after breakfast with Derek. The way he'd spoken to her, looked at her. Touched her. She couldn't decide if this had all been a mistake or exactly what she wanted.

Derek came up behind her, having just finished paying their bill at the counter.

“You really didn't need to pay,” she said.

“Lindsey, if you bring that up again, I'm going to be insulted. Friends take each other out to breakfast sometimes.”

She turned to look at him. He was moving a mint-flavored toothpick around between his lips. Lucky toothpick.

Ugh, stupid Lindsey.
Before they'd left this morning she and Mel had had a very frustrating conversation. Lindsey was now confused about all of her conflicting emotions and desires for this man. Mel couldn't understand and had argued that it was impossible for two people that had once been intimate the way she and Derek had to remain
just friends.
The worst part was that down deep inside Lindsey was afraid her sister might be right. The fact that she couldn't stop thinking about how sexy Derek looked was
proving
her to be a little bit right. Lindsey's argument had been that she was strong enough to deal with him. But she hadn't anticipated how turned on she could be by just the slightest touch.