“You think Jesse is all that?”
“What? No.” She shook her head hard. “I mean, I’m sure he’s nice enough.”
“He is.”
But he wasn’t Brick. She shrugged. “That’s it. He’s nice.”
Brick’s slow smile said a whole lot of stuff—but she wasn’t sure what exactly. “He’s a carpenter, so he always has extra materials on hand. If he doesn’t have a door that fits exactly, he can cut it down to make it work. Piece of cake for him.”
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, Brick tucked her hair behind her ear—and finally gave her some space. “You can take that up with Jesse, 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, Tonya Bloom would never be within smiling distance of Brick. Tonya smiled and men went stupid—she was that beautiful. But with Tonya 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 then let you know what she says.”
Brick 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 a 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 Brick pulled out a chair, he found Eloise 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 Tom draped over the seat. In the next chair was Stan, one leg in the air while he “groomed” himself.
Feeling foolish, she explained, “They like to be where I am.”
“Can’t say as I blame them.” Instead of acting put out, he smiled at the cats. “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.
Brick curved his big, warm hand around her upper arm. “The couch works.” He led her back through to the living room, Dolly and Dundee following hot on their heels. He sat and urged her down close to him.
But 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. But 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, Merrily, but I know women.”
She was sort of counting on that.
Casually, he put an arm up along the back of the couch—behind her shoulders. “And I see it in your expression.”
Dolly jumped up to the couch and went into his lap, circled twice, then plopped down with a sigh. As if he barely noticed, Brick scratched the dog’s ears with his free hand and continued to stare at Merrily, waiting for her reaction.
Even after Dundee sat on his foot and leaned into his leg, Brick didn’t pull that unwavering gaze from her face.
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.
“Tonya is...really pretty.” Lame. Tonya was well beyond merely pretty.
“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.”
“But 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 oh-so physically appealing.
And the other waitresses didn’t talk only about Jesse. They’d had plenty to say about Brick, 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 Brick 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. Merrily 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 Brick Carlisle would react.
* * *
WOMEN RARELY THREW him for a loop, but Brick had to admit that Merrily did it when she wasn’t 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, Merrily scooped up the dog and hugged her close.
He was saved from trying to reply coherently by a knock on her door.
Looking a little stricken, she closed her eyes and blew out a breath.
“You expecting someone?” Brick asked.
“No.” She opened her eyes to show churning uncertainty. “The only one who visits me is Tonya.”
No guys visiting, then. Good to know.
She’d 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