Free One of These Nights by Kendra Leigh Castle Page A

doormats.”
    â€œI’m afraid my vacuum cleaner says otherwise.”
    â€œYou should never trust machinery when it starts talking to you. Don’t you read any science fiction?” They were toe-to-toe now, and Zoe realized too late that she’d moved as she was talking, drawn to him without even realizing it. He was looking down at her with the oddest expression. There wasn’t a bit of hostility in it. Instead, his gaze skimmed her face, long, dark lashes dropping as he focused on . . . her mouth? Oh God, was he looking at her mouth?
    Without thinking, she drew her lower lip into her mouth to wet it and his eyes went dark, hot. Her heart skipped in her chest.
    â€œYou need a shave,” she blurted, desperate to banish the sudden sense of intimacy. She immediately wanted to kick herself.
Yes, Zoe, too smooth. Let him know you’re staring at that nice square jawline of his. That will definitely make things less awkward.
Jason’s brows lifted a little, but he still didn’t seem annoyed. Just thoughtful. And he didn’t move away.
    â€œI guess I do. I’ll get to it by tomorrow,” he said, lifting one hand to rub at his chin for a brief moment. “So, are we going to talk about my hygiene next, or can we eat? Because that smells great.”
    â€œYes!” Zoe said, inwardly cringing a little at the forced brightness of her voice. That, and the fact she’d nearly shouted the word. “Let’s, ah, eat.” She took quick steps back and turned toward the counter, tucking a few curls behind her ear. “I didn’t know what you’d like, so I got a bunch of things—lo mein, egg rolls, dumplings, some sesame chicken, General Tso’s, hot-and-sour soup. Um, sweet-and-sour . . . something. I think. What is this?” She removed cartons from the plastic bags and put them on the counter one by one, examining several before she remembered exactly what she’d bought. Jason said nothing while she worked. When she finally turned her head, he was staring at the cartons incredulously.
    â€œWow. That’s . . . that’s some food.” He looked down at his stomach, then back up at her. “You trying to tell me something?”
    She felt her cheeks heat. “No. I just figured you could use some leftovers in the fridge, since you can’t drive and that has to be a pain.”
    â€œIt is.”
    â€œThen don’t complain.”
    â€œI’m not.” A long pause, then, “Thank you.”
    She looked up from opening the cartons, startled to find him wearing an expression that suggested she’d just challenged him with a particularly hard riddle. If she wasn’t careful, she’d end up flustered all over again, and that was
not
how this evening was going to go. Jason would get the help he needed, she would get to work him out of her system from a position of power, and they’d both go away happy. Well, in Jason’s case, as happy as he got. That was the deal.
    Just because he wasn’t in on it didn’t make it any less valid.
    â€œYou’re welcome. Now tell me where the plates and forks are and go sit down. You’re no good to me in here.”
    She saw the mulish glint in his eyes, but then he glanced at the steaming food. Hunger won out. “Corner cupboard for the plates. Drawer to your left for silverware.” He hesitated, as though about to say something else. After a moment, though, he shook his head and creak-thumped his way out of the kitchen and toward the table. Rosie stayed put without looking a bit conflicted about it.
    â€œWhere is your loyalty?” Zoe asked her as she got out a couple of plates.
    â€œIt’s not in her stomach,” Jason called over his shoulder.
    It wasn’t, either. Rosie followed her back and forth between the dining area and the kitchen several times as she got their dinner together. By the time she slid into the chair