fortune and do something else with your money.”
He cocked his head in acknowledgement. “I suppose that’s another way to look at it. But I do like this place. Perhaps I’ve always wanted to find someone who would appreciate it.”
“Any woman would appreciate it.” She held his gaze.
“Not any woman will do.” His eyes flashed in challenge, a grin spreading across his face.
The smile started her heart fluttering. The combination of his smile and smooth face had heat spreading from her abdomen out to her extremities. She fanned her face with a hand.
“Something wrong?” Concern marred his features.
“No.” She shook her head, patting her cheeks to cool them off. “Well…no.”
Grayson snapped his fingers. “Damn. Here I thought I’d found a woman unaffected by my looks.”
“Oh please.” She snorted in derision. “Any woman with a pulse would be affected by you. But just because you have a pretty face, doesn’t mean you don’t have to prove to me you’re equally handsome on the inside.”
He took her hand and kissed the back of it. “Challenge accepted.”
SEVEN
At the contact of his lips on her skin, a jolt hit her core. Their eyes locked, passionate energy passed between them.
“You never did tell me what you thought of the kiss,” Grayson murmured.
“Well…I,” Kerry stammered, pausing to clear her throat. “Preliminary results reveal that sex most likely wouldn’t suck between us, however, I think we should re-test to be on the safe side. After all, you didn’t try again after dinner the other night.”
“I didn’t,” he agreed. “We had such a nice time; I didn’t want to push the issue.”
“Kind of you.” Her breath caught and she stared straight into his eyes, lost in the dark pools.
“Shall we test the theory again?” Grayson lowered his lips toward hers.
The boys burst into the room, interrupting the moment. Grayson dropped her hand, stepped back, and mumbled a promise, “Later.”
“Can we go swimming now?” Cohen asked, oblivious to what he’d interrupted.
Duncan, not so oblivious, shoved his hands in his pockets, eyes narrowed at them in an attempt to regain some semblance of nonchalance. Nevertheless, eager enthusiasm lit up his face at the mention of the pool. “Is it heated?”
“Both pools are heated,” Grayson answered. “Dinner is ready, though. Why don’t we have a bite to eat and then I’ll take you down?”
“Okay!” Cohen whooped for joy, then hunched over holding his stomach. “Ow,” he complained.
Worried, Kerry asked, “What is it, honey?”
Cohen straightened and shrugged the pain away. “Nothing. It’s gone.”
Grayson clapped his hands and rubbed his palms together. “All right—let’s head down to the dining room.”
Kerry followed the three males out of the room and down the stairs. Dinner was a lively affair, setting her mind at ease. Both kids ate a healthy amount of pork tenderloin, garlic mashed potatoes and green beans. Grayson asked the boys questions about school, their friends, sports, television shows—anything and everything a young man might be interested in. She participated in the conversation, but for the most part, marveled at how easy the three of them got along.
A twinge of hurt pinched her heart. The scenario reminded her of how Isaac used to relate to them. He had been good for all of them, giving her a decent relationship for once in her life, and providing the boys with a positive male role model.
Until he up and left. The reminder stung. She wondered if that’s why she hadn’t really given any man a chance. If she didn’t put herself out there, she didn’t have to risk getting hurt.
What do I do about Grayson? Did it matter if love and romance didn’t fit into the equation? Friendship offered a different type of love. That wouldn’t be bad, would it?
“Something on your mind?”
Grayson’s voice startled her out of her musings. Kerry noticed how quiet the dining room had