“Or he might love it and say he wants you to make it up immediately.”
“That happens sometimes.”
As I took another spoonful of rice, my eyes were on Keith’s face, not what I was doing, and my hand brushed against his. He didn’t pull away, and with my heart hammering against my chest, I stroked his palm.
His lips glistened in the candlelight, and as I leaned forward, he licked around his mouth. Does he want me to kiss him or is he lapping up a spot of guac?
His breath hitched, and when my lips met his, I was overwhelmed with the combined flavors of wine and Mexican spices and underneath was Keith.
My eyes closed just as the back door creaked and the nurse’s faltering voice reached me. “Oops, sorry, guys. Bad timing.”
Thanks for nothing, Sam!
“Your grandfather’s in his PJs, Keith, and tucked up in bed,” she said
“See you tomorrow, Sam. And thanks,” Keith replied.
“Go say good night to your grandpa and I’ll clear up.” I shoved him toward the house.
Keith’s hand trailed over my shoulder, and he gave me a wistful look as he took off. By the time I had food in the fridge, garbage in the trash, and had packed the picnic basket and was headed out, he appeared at my elbow.
“You don’t have to go.”
I was up for more kissing if he was.
“We can… you know... watch TV,” he said.
That was a letdown after the interrupted kiss, but okay. “Sure.”
Kieth flicked through the channels but there wasn’t much on. He closed one eye. “We could always find out if Greg and Finn have had sex.”
I snorted. But he was serious. “Fine.”
As I sank into the couch, which was so oddly placed, the television was barely visible. Not that I cared. I was going to be with Keith. The rest was just noise. Keith brought beers and settled in beside me as the show began.
I cringed at the sappy language from one of the shifters on screen. “They need better screenwriters.”
Keith grabbed my shoulder and turned to me, his eyes sparkling like stars in a darkened sky. “Ta da.”
“Huh?”
“You, Ethan. You could write for Shifter World.”
“What? No. I couldn’t… I’m a college biology professor and they have professional writers…”
“And what are you, chopped liver? You’d be perfect.”
I bowed my head. “You haven’t read any of my work.”
“Don’t have to. The way you’ve burrowed into these characters' minds shows me you’d be a perfect match.”
He rubbed his shoulder against my own, his eyes fixed on the screen, while I considered his suggestion. It was insane, stupid, bonkers even. But while I did my best to dismiss it, the idea stuck in my head. Can’t imagine what Floyd would say!
112
Keith
That kiss.
I could feel the brush of his lips against mine, still smell the scent that was all Ethan, still feel the passion underneath it that was about to ignite just as we were interrupted.
I shouldn’t be thinking about that kiss.
I. Should. Not.
Yet I was. I wanted another and another, preferably with us both naked and that was bad. So very very bad. I was leaving, and Ethan was most definitely not someone you had a friendship with benefits with and then walked away unscathed. No, he would burrow his way into my heart and it would eventually break.
Except he was already there. No. It wasn’t love...of course it wasn’t. We’d just met. But the connection was real, and after that kiss, the possibility of me pushing it down and forgetting about it no longer existed.
I closed my laptop to go check on Grandpa. He had a visit with Sam and I wanted to make sure everything was all good. But first I had to will away the stupid erection even thinking about that barely-a-kiss kiss gave me.
It would be easier if he wasn’t everything I’d been looking for. Why couldn’t he have been the one to swipe the app for me? Living in the same town, we might’ve been able to make something work.
Mud. Mud with worms. Mud with worms that are slithering like little snakes. Mud with worms that are slithering like little snakes towards me.
Operation boner deflation finally a success, I went into the living room to wait for Sam to be done with Grandpa and actively tried not to look out the front window.
That lasted an entire thirty seconds. I pulled the sheer back and there Ethan was, mounting the house number up. Finally. Except it wasn’t a seven which was his gran’s number. No, he had the number four side showing, giving me a reason to go over there. Why would anyone buy a two-sided sign that wasn’t the same on both sides? It was like they were begging for this kind of nonsense.
Nonsense that gave me an excuse to go talk to him.
Which I shouldn’t.
But he needed to know.
Ugh. I swore fate was toying with me.
“Your grandfather is doing quite well.” Sam startled me, and I turned from my spying position to face her. “I do suggest he get some more air. Possibly use the wheelchair to take him around the block until he is strong enough to go the entire way with the walker?”
“He hates that thing.” He hated all of this. He was a spry guy who loved to do everything himself, and now he was a soap-opera junkie whose highlight of the day was when Stella popped over to discuss said soap.
“That may be, but he needs to get out more, so try and convince him.”
“Will do.” And he’d go. He just wouldn’t be happy about it. “How is everything else?”
“I changed his bandage and it showed no sign of infection.” Which was good. The last thing he needed on top of healing was an infection on the incision where they had to cut him open to set said break. That would crush him. “And all his vitals are good. I probably won’t be back for a week.”
I didn’t even ask if it was insurance-related. It would only piss me off too much when she admitted it was, because of course it was.
“That’s good news.” I slapped on a happy face. None of this was her fault, so she didn’t need to feel my frustration.
I signed the paperwork I needed to sign, and as she left, I couldn’t help but look across the street. I really did need to tell him it was wrong and possibly help him fix it.
“Hey, Grandpa,” I stood in his bedroom doorway where I found him starting to doze. These visits wore him out. “I’m just going to run across the street and help Ethan fix their new house number sign. I’ll be right back.”
“I have my phone. Go. Get the guy.” And then he winked. At least he was in a good mood after the poking and prodding. That was something.
I stopped in the bathroom to make sure I didn’t have anything in my teeth and my hair resembled not a rat’s nest and then headed over. He was taking the sign down. He must have realized he had it wrong. Shit. I was too late. I should’ve called him like a normal person, but no...I wanted to see him, even though I shouldn’t.
“Sorry,” I said as I reached Stella’s walk. “I saw you start and then got distracted by the nurse and...I should’ve texted before you had the whole thing up.”
“You saw.” His face went from frustrated to blushing with a coy smile. Damn, it was a good look on him. “And the nurse was more important. This is an easy fix. How is your grandfather?”
“He’s doing well. Really well. His incision is almost healed and he is getting pretty mobile. The nurse is down to one day a week now.” I slid my hands into my front pockets, not sure what else to do with them, knowing for sure I shouldn’t be reaching out and brushing the strand of hair that was crooked on his forehead. Nope. Definitely should not do that.
“That’s amazing news.”
“It is. Do you need some help?” He didn’t. It was a one-man job, but standing close to him sounded like heaven.
“I’d love some.” Not needed, wanted. It could be so freaking easy to fall for this man. Too late.
He showed m
e what to hold where and I did, his scent filling my senses and my stupid jeans getting too tight.
“Does this mean you’re leaving soon?” he asked as he put the first screw in.
“I don’t know. I don’t think so. He’s not as bad as he was, but he still can’t do some basic things on his own, and he for sure can’t drive yet.” I needed to figure out an exit plan. I couldn’t stay with him forever, but every time I attempted to create one, it felt like I was planning to abandon him and I gave up. Truth was, the idea of leaving this town was something that was nagging at me. I forgot how much I enjoyed the slower pace, the noise of… well... no cars as I fell asleep, the ability to just have a backyard picnic.
Too bad my career was there.
“It has to be hard.” He drilled in the last screw. “I think this is good.” He inspected the number. “Maybe you won’t get all her packages anymore.”
“I didn’t mind.” Especially not the building supplies. That gave me time with Ethan, and as much as I tried not to let that be a thing, I couldn’t. He was just too...too...Ethan.
“Thanks for the help.” He bit his lip again. He was killing me. I just wanted to lean over and lick it. “I was planning to call you later.”
“You still can,” I teased.
“Wise ass. What I was saying was, I was thinking maybe we could go out...like on a real date.”
“With Grandpa...let me see what—”
“I’ve got this. Just tell me what time to be there. Saturday works well for me if you can’t decide.” When did Stella come outside?
“Grandmother,” oh, he pulled out the formal name. “How long have you been listening?”
“Since your tall drink of water walked over. Why?”
And now it was my turn to blush.
113
Ethan
“What do you think, Floyd?” I held up two shirts, trying to decide which one to wear.
The parrot glanced in my direction. “Blech,” he said and nibbled on a slice of banana I’d given him earlier.
“Thanks, buddy. You’re no help.”
“Get laid,” he yelled.
I shouted, “I’m trying.” But as soon as the words were out of my mouth, I mentally slapped myself. Sure, I wanted to get Keith into bed and I’d imagined it many times in so many different ways.
But I wanted to find out if he was a morning or evening kinda guy, what his favorite color was, and if he preferred boxers or briefs. Okay, I was especially interested in the last one, to be honest.
“Red or blue, Floyd? I really need your help.” I stood in front of the cage with a shirt in either hand. He poked his beak through the bars and pecked at the blue one.
I glanced at my watch for like the hundredth time. Too early to pick Kieth up for our date. But we’d decided not to do the restaurant thing where we asked and answered questions about one another. Besides, we’d done that on our picnic in Mr. Jenson’s back yard. So, we’d arranged to play mini golf and have burgers afterwards.
Gran and her friends were mini golf pros, but I hadn’t played since I was a kid. Hope I don’t embarrass myself. I mean, how hard can it be?
When I pulled up outside Mr. Jenson’s, my grandmother was watering her garden. She never did that in the evenings, always mornings. She pretended not to see me as Keith bounded into the car, wearing a blue shirt almost identical to mine. “Twinsies,” he cried.
“You’re in a good mood,” I told him as I put the car in gear and drove off while ignoring my grandmother who had ducked behind a flowering shrub.
Keith was practically bouncing off the seat. “I love Grandpa, but it’s nice to have downtime.” A spot of pink appeared on either cheek. He lowered his voice. “And I’m on a date. A date!”
“Is it a secret?” I whispered.
“Nope.” He winked before winding the window down and shouting, “I’m going on a date.”
A huge grin planted itself on my face as we drove into the miniature golf parking lot. This is going great so far.
“My treat,” Keith yelled. “You paid for Mexican food. Or should I say Mexican feast?”
An hour later, I was sulking in the fast food joint next to the 18th hole. Keith was all smiles as he brought over our burgers, fries, and shakes.
“Don’t feel bad, Ethan,” he said as he bit his bottom lip. “Everyone hits their ball into the sand pit, almost decapitates someone, and breaks a car window.” He shrugged. “Happens all the time.”
“Stop trying to make me feel better.”
“Is it working?” he asked, those brilliant blue eyes dancing.
“No. Maybe.”
He shoved a tray toward me. “Eat. You’ll feel better.”
I doubted that, but I was hungry. And he was right. By the end of the meal, I’d almost forgotten about my lousy performance and the young kids who’d rolled their eyes while waiting for me to finish each hole.
Instead, I concentrated on Keith. We’d had a weird sort of not-real date with Gran, a picnic in his grandfather's back yard, and tonight a date surrounded by people who were pissed at my nonexistent mini golf skills. I longed to be alone with him.
“Fancy a nightcap?” I cringed as soon as I said what I said. It sounded so sleazy and reminded me of the old 1950s expression about looking at a man’s etchings. I needed to go on a dating refresher course.
“Sure. I’d like to see your place.”
“Technically it’s Gran’s.”
As we got into the car, he asked, “Will Floyd be there?”
“No, he’s out with friends, but he has an eleven o’clock curfew.”
I expected Keith to burst out laughing or give me shit. But his eyes narrowed as he said, “Are you fucking with me?”
I’d love to. “Yeah, you got me. He has to be home by ten not eleven.” I started the car and merged into what little traffic there was.
Keith made a face. “I see why Floyd is the way he is. You make a great pair. You’re both smartasses.”
“No!” I moved my arms up and down and said in my best robot voice. “I. Am. The. Pawn. He. Is. The. Master.”
“Hands on the wheel, Ethan, and eyes straight ahead!”
“Sorry, sorry.” The car had strayed onto the other side of the road while I was doing my dumb impression.
Keith clutched his shirt with one hand and the dashboard with the other. “It’s never a dull moment with you, is it?”
I couldn’t think how to answer that so I stayed silent.
“Have you thought any more about what I said?”
Not this again. “About not wanting to be in a serious relationship?”
“No. The writing thing. For the soaps, specifically Shifter World.”
“Nah. That’s a pipe dream. Every man and his dog probably sends enquiry letters with half-assed scripts that get tossed in the garbage.”
“But when you spoke about your book, I got the feeling you’d love to write full-time and not teach at a college, and they are doing that send-in-your-script contest now so I thought maybe it could be your new thing, like your new career.”
I slammed on the brakes and put one hand on my chest. Keith screamed. The night wasn’t turning out how I expected. “Jesus, did we run over a dog or are you having a heart attack?” he yelled.
I put my head on the wheel and took deep breaths. “I’m fine,” I gasped. I’d never thought about giving up my job, but when Keith said it, it hit me. That’s exactly what I wanted even though being a college professor gave me health insurance and a pension, something they miraculously still provided during my leave.
A lone car swerved around us, beeping while the passenger videoed me and my white-knuckled fingers gripping the wheel. Great, it’ll be all over social media by morning.
“Tell you what.” I lifted my head. “I promise to think about it if you stop asking me. Deal?”
“Okay.”
The nervousness at being alone at my place with Keith had evaporated by the time we walked in the door—th
anks to my two almost accidents. Floyd dragged his eyes from the TV, mumbled something unintelligible, and returned his attention to the screen.
“Beer?” I asked.
“Please.”
“Not you,” I told the parrot.
“I’m fine,” Keith answered. “Need to keep my head clear.”
I poked my head out of the kitchen, one hand frozen on the fridge handle. “For what? There’ll be no more crazy goings-on tonight.”
Keith pried my hand off the fridge and dragged me to the couch. “For a smart guy, you’re kinda slow.”
“I am?”
He pushed me onto the sofa and kneeled on the floor in front of me.
“What are you doing?” I asked as he parted my legs and shuffled between them.
“I’d like to suck you off, if that’s okay.”
I closed my eyes for a second, wondering which briefs I was wearing. The new pair or the ones I washed yesterday? Did I have time to peek? Probably not.
He cocked his head and uncertainty crept into his eyes. “Maybe I’ve made a mistake. I thought…”
I jerked my head toward Floyd. “You thought right. But. Not. In. Front. Of. The. Parrot.”
“Bedroom?”
“I’ll race you there.”
114
Keith
I’d like to suck you off, if that’s okay.
The words had just fallen out as if it wasn’t me who’d spoken them, and once they were there, they felt so right—the perfect ending to a perfect date.
If by perfect date I meant watching my alpha filling out paperwork after breaking a car window and eating crappy fast food a perfect date. Except it was. We had so much fun, even as the couple berated us for breaking their window and the employee had to reprimand us for a fly ball that went far too close to a person’s head. It was perfect because it was with Ethan.
Ethan who was so creative and at the same time legitimately a genius. Ethan who had no idea how completely sexy he was. Ethan who could make me laugh and laugh. Ethan who took the time to try to make my day better when he saw things were overwhelming me, even though I’d already told him he wasn’t for me.
Love at Blind Date Complete Series: Books 1-4 Page 41
