Free Flirting with Love by Melissa Foster Page B

I’ll adapt.”
    “I don’t doubt that one bit.”
    “Well, I’ve already made these flyers, so I don’t want to waste them. Hopefully, it won’t be a turnoff to see pet pampering instead of grooming.”
    “I hope you’re right.” But don’t hold your breath . “Before I forget, I spoke to Tate and he can pick up your aunt’s van tomorrow morning. Do you still want him to?”
    Knight yawned and Ross stroked his neck.
    “Wow, that was quick.” She drew her brows together. “Yeah, I would. I need to start making things happen. Out with the old ideas, in with the new. Thank you for taking care of that. That was really nice of you.”
    His phone vibrated, and he read the text from Emily. Bring dessert. He had no idea what possessed him to do what he did next, but the words came before he could think them through.
    “Do you have dinner plans?”
    “Wha—dinner?” She shrugged and touched the ends of her hair, then just as quickly stopped. “No, not really.”
    “I’m heading to dinner with my mother and Emily. Want to come along?”
    Her eyes grew serious.
    “No pressure. Not a date, just a…neighborly dinner.”
    Her gaze softened again. “Oh, darn,” she teased, as they both rose to their feet.
    And there they were again, standing so close he could see flecks of yellow in her eyes. Oh, darn didn’t even begin to touch on his thoughts.
    “Are you sure I won’t be intruding?”
    Ross smiled at her consideration. “My sister told me to bring dessert.”
    She sucked in a breath. He liked that reaction, a whole hell of a lot. “Ah, so Cali girl has a dirty mind. I hate to disappoint you, but I’m not that kind of guy.” He knew she wouldn’t expect him to tease her about having a dirty mind, or by saying he wasn’t that kind of guy in as serious of a tone as he could muster, but he couldn’t help himself. He was a man, after all, and Elisabeth was tugging at every sensual nerve in his body. He let the words settle in, and her cheeks pinked up again. Watching her squirm only turned him on even more. Damn, he liked that way more than he should.
    “Oh. Um.” Great, and there she was thinking he was making a sexy double entendre.
    He stepped a little closer and heard her draw in a breath and hold it. “Elisabeth, it’s dinner with my mother and sister. No pressure. No expectations. Oh, and I’d like to buy one of your pies to bring along with us for dessert.”
    He might not have expectations, but he sure as hell wanted to be with her. Who knows? Maybe they’d have their own private dessert later in the evening.

Chapter Six
    ROSS’S MOTHER’S HOUSE was built at the top of a ridge overlooking the Colorado Mountains. The large cedar and stone house had many large windows, a wide front porch, and was surrounded by acres of green grass and gardens bursting with colorful flowers.
    Ross put a hand on Elisabeth’s arm as they climbed the porch stairs. As if her nerves weren’t already on fire. No pressure. No expectations . Yeah, she was so hoping for a deep relationship, not just a physical one, and his big hand on her arm amplified her secret desires. She carried a strawberry-apricot pie she’d made that morning, and Ross carried a bouquet of flowers he’d bought for his mother along the way. His thoughtfulness made her like him even more.
    He reached for the doorknob and hesitated. “Have you actually met Emily?”
    “Not in person yet. We’ve just spoken over the phone.”
    He smiled, and his eyes lit with mischief as he pushed open the door.
    “Ross?” A woman’s voice came from the kitchen, followed by fast footsteps. Elisabeth recognized Emily from her Facebook page as she ran into Ross’s arms. She looked tiny against him. Her long brown hair was a shade darker than Ross’s and curtained her face as she hugged him tight. “I’m so glad you made it.”
    Ross held her up with one arm, and when he slid her feet to the floor, he turned toward Elisabeth. “Em, this is Elisabeth