Waiting For Him (4 page)

He was still too darned close for coherent thought, but she muddled through. “I’d have to insist on paying him.”

Slowly, his gaze warm and intimate, Stone tucked her hair behind her ear and finally gave her some space. “You can take that up with Steve, but either way, it wouldn’t be much. So what do you say? Why don’t we go discuss it with the landlord right now so I can get to work on this for you?”

Darn it. She didn’t want to. If she had her way, Alexis would never be within smiling distance of Stone. Alexis smiled and men went stupid. She was that beautiful and white—something Keisha’s brown skin would never be. With Alexis living next door, the idea of them never running into each other was unrealistic and she knew it. “I could just talk with her and let you know what she says.”

Stone studied her. She knew he studied her, that he wondered at her motives, and it made her want to squirm.

After a few nerve-racking seconds of scrutiny, he seemed to come to conclusion. He nodded at her kitchen table. “Mind if I sit down while I finish my tea?”

Oh. “That’d be fine.” She followed him to the table, but when Stone pulled out a chair he found Sam curled up in it. The cat gave him a “do not disturb” look and settled again.

“Sorry, old girl.” He pulled out another chair and there was Clyde draped over the seat. In the next was Bonnie.

Feeling foolish, she explained, “They like to be where I am.”

“Can’t say I blame them.” Instead of acting put out, he smiled at the animals. “The couch, then?”

“I could move them.” It was a lame, unenthusiastic offer. She hated to disturb her pets when they slept. So often, she would inconvenience herself first.

Stone curved his big, warm hand around her upper arm. “The couch works.” He led her back through the living room, Bonnie and Clyde jumped out the chairs and followed hot on their heels. He sat and urged her down close to him.

Rather than finish off his tea, he set it aside and turned to her, his gaze moving slowly over her face. “So.”

So…what? She waited, uncertain what to say or do, not knowing what he intended.

“Why don’t you want me to meet the landlord?”

Wow, intuitive and straight to the point. She wasn’t used to guys being so up-front.

Actually, she wasn’t all that used to guys, period. The ones she had known weren’t exactly straight shooters. More like vague with hidden agendas.

By way of an answer, she asked her own question. “What makes you think I don’t?”

His gaze softened in understanding. “Not to brag, Keisha, but I know women.”

She was sort of counting on that.

He casually put an arm up along the back of the couch, behind her shoulders. “I see it in your expression.”

Bonnie jumped up to the couch and went to his lap. As if he barely noticed, Stone scratched the dog’s ears with his free hand and continued to stare at Keisha, waiting for her reaction.

A multitude of reasonable excuses tripped through her mind, but she’d always been a terrible fibber. If he could be up front, maybe she should be, too.

“Alexis is really pretty.” Lame.

“So?”

“So…” Her face went hot, but she lifted her chin. “I do want a doggy door. As you can see I need one.”

“Agreed.”

“I was also hoping…that is…” How did one spell out carnal intent? She met his gaze and went for broke. “I like you.”

The corner of his mouth tilted in a crooked smile. “I’m listening.”

He was, very intently, and it rattled her composure big time. She cleared her throat. “You know I’m still kind of new to the area. Between school and work, I haven’t had a chance to get to know that many people.” She didn’t really know him either, but not only did she enjoy talking to him at the restaurant, she also found him physically appealing.

The other waitresses didn’t talk only about Steve. They’d had plenty to say about Stone as well. He had quite a reputation, and it was so scintillating, so exciting, she couldn’t resist the idea of a daring sensual adventure.

That is, if Stone cooperated.

“I was hoping that is…” For crying out loud, she sounded idiotic. “I don’t want to scare you off or anything. I’m not trying to rope you in. But, I think you’re sexy.”

His smile warmed.

“And you’re nice. And there’s just something about you.” Something raw and appealing and exhilarating. Keisha put her shoulders back. “I’d like to sleep with you.”

Surprise chased off his smile. His eyes widened a little, then narrowed.

Just in case she hadn’t been clear enough, she stated, “For sex.”

There. She’d said it. Not the smoothest come on for sure, but under her extenuating circumstances, it would have to do.

She waited on pins and needles to see how the oh so awesome Stone Ryan would react.

Chapter Four

Women rarely threw him for a loop, but Stone had to admit that Keisha did it without even trying.

A hungry look, a nervous smile, and he missed a beat. She was just so open, so unguarded in her desire.

It made sense that when she did try, with a straight shot, spell it out confession, no less—he was guaranteed to falter.

No way had he expected her to make it so easy for him. No way had he expected a supposed virgin to state her case so bluntly.

Out of necessity, he lifted the dog away from his lap and set her on the couch between them. He shifted and stretched out one leg, but it didn’t help.

“Well?” Probably as much for comfort as out of habit, Keisha scooped up the dog and hugged her close.

He was saved from trying to reply coherently by a knock on her door.

With a stricken look, she closed her eyes and blew out her breath.

“You expecting someone?” Stone asked.

“No.” She opened her eyes to show churning uncertainty. “The only one who visits me is Alexis.”

No guys visiting, then. Good to know.

She claimed to like the landlord, so why so glum now? “That’s a problem because?”

Again she lifted her chin. “I want you.”

“Yeah. Heard that the first time.” If she kept saying it, how the hell did she expect him to show any finesse at all? “I’m on board, honey, trust me. So why don’t we talk to the landlord to clear up the door situation, then we can discuss,” He gestured between them. “You having me.”

She blinked at him.

Yeah, way to be romantic, Stone. Way to seduce her.

Way to encourage her. He snorted at himself, then forced a smile. “Are you going to ignore the knocking?”

“No, I supposed not.” She put the dog onto the couch and walked off to answer.

Curious, Stone stood, did a quick adjustment with his jeans, then followed. So did the dogs.

Keisha opened the door and holy hell, her landlord was a knockout. She stood a few inches over Keisha, with long, blonde hair and even longer legs well displayed in a short suit skirt and fashionable high heels. Heavy lashes framed light blue eyes.

The vision said, “Hi, Keisha! I was wondering how…” Her voice trailed off when she spotted Stone. The smile changed, going from real warmth to mere formality. She extended her hand. “Hello. I’m Keisha’s neighbor and landlord, Alexis Goldberg.”

“Pleasure.” Stone took her hand in a brief greeting. “Stone Ryan.”

In a silent, almost funeral invitation, Keisha held the door wide.

Suit jacked open to reveal a feminine blouse and perfect curves, Alexis stepped inside. Bonnie and Clyde ran up to her, but they didn’t jump. In fact, they had impeccable manners, stopping before her, waiting patiently for the expected pats she gave.

“Hello, babies, how are you?” She made kissing noises at them, scratched their chins, and they stared back at her in blind canine adoration. “Where is the kitty?”

“Kitchen,” Keisha said. “Sleeping.”

Stone wondered at her short replies, but Alexis forged into the kitchen, asking, “Is the doggy door in yet?”

“I wanted to talk to you about that.” He took Keisha’s hand and tugged her along with him as he followed in the wake of Alexis’s subtle and seductive perfume. He explained about the value of the door and made his suggestions for trading it out with something less vintage.

Alexis listened as she greeted each cat in turn. Bending from the waist—offering a tantalizing view of a heart shaped ass—she rubbed Sam’s ears and tickled under her chin.

The woman had killer looks and a luscious body to go with the face. What she did for a suit would make most men stammer. Stone imagined she had a hard time fending off the attention.

He caught Keisha’s tortured expression. He didn’t entirely understand it, but he squeezed her hand in a quick encouragement. “We can put in a door that still goes with everything but won’t be as valuable.”

“That’s so nice of you.” She eyed the door with a new insight. “Of course you’re right. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it. And yes, as much as I love it, someday I’ll sell this property.”

Because holding her hand didn’t suffice, Stone pulled Keisha into his side and put his arm over her shoulders. She stood frozen beside him, stiff and unyielding.

Yet minutes ago, she’d claimed to want him.

Alexis’s knowing smile touched them both. “Well, I don’t want to intrude.”

“You’re not,” Keisha said.

Stone spoke over her, saying, “Thank you.” The sooner he got the landlord on her way, the sooner he could decide how to proceed with Keisha. “I’ll get with my friend, Steven, and pick out a door that matches close enough. If it works for Keisha, we’ll get installed tomorrow.

“Tomorrow?” Keisha asked, and damned if she didn’t look surprised. “Really?”

“Yeah, why?” No matter what happened today, they were far from finished with one another. “You busy?”

She shook her head.

“Good.” He recalled her exact words on not planning to rope him in. What exactly did that mean? Did she want sex only once?

Like hell! Once wouldn’t cut it. A dozen times might not suffice He intended to get his fill and make it good for her, too.”

“I’m free, you’re free. Might as well get it taken care, right?”

She nodded fast. “Okay.”

He hugged her little closer before turning back to Alexis. “Where did you want to store this one?”

“My basement would be best. Do you suppose you or your friend could bring it over?”

“Not a problem. You’ll be around tomorrow?”

“After two o’clock, I will be.”

He tried to head her toward the living room. “That works. Guess I’ll see you then.”

Alexis gave her goodbyes to the animals. They hung on her every word, adoring. It made Stone smile. “You’re good with the animals.” There was something very appealing about a gorgeous woman who was also kind.

And that gave him an idea.

Alexis paused at the front door. “And I take it you’re good with your hands?”

Clever too. He grinned. “Very.”

“His family has a hardware store,” Keisha rushed to explain. “Stone runs it.”

He had no idea why she sounded so proud about that. “And I’m very handy.”

“Wonderful.” Alexis stepped into the hall. “I don’t want to take advantage, but do you suppose you could also check the fence to make sure it’s secure? I don’t want the doggies to get loose.”

“I could do that,” Keisha said.

At the same time, Stone replied, “Be glad to.” Damn it, was she already trying to get rid of him?”

Alexis laughed. She glanced at Keisha and laughed again. “Thank you both. Stone, if I need to do any repairs to the fence, just let me know.” Still smiling, she turned to go next door to her half of the house. “Have fun, you two!”

Tension arced between them as Stone closed the door. He felt Keisha’s gaze on his back, felt her interest. Slowly, bracing himself for the impact of her appeal, he turned toward her.

Damn, but she did it for him. Everything about her seemed specifically designed to push his buttons. The way her wide brown eyes watched him. How she shifted her feet, even how she breathed a little fast and low as if she expected him to rush her off to bed right this very second.

He’d disappoint her on that score. They’d get to the bed but not until he cleared up a few other things first.

Until then, he needed to taste her.

Reaching for her, Stone muttered low, “Come here, Keisha.”

Chapter Five

As Stone pulled her in close to his chest, Keisha wondered what would happen. Did he plan to take her to bed right now?

She wanted to, she really did, but she assumed he’d be working on the door and that they’d have more time to talk first, to get more familiar with each other, to get more comfortable.

If he meant to do this now, she really needed to give the dogs a quick trip outside first. And she should probably freshen up.

It was still light out and while she wasn’t exactly shy, she didn’t know that she wanted to do this in broad daylight.