And I hate to keep telling you that youre perfectly welcome to stay here. Unless you find my company repulsive or something, she replied. Ayanna obviously just forgot when I would be here. Even if shed remembered that I was going to be here, youd still be welcome. This place is way too big for one person. Come on upstairs and pick out a room so we can get your things put away, she said nonchalantly, as though having a super-fine man drop in on her was an everyday occurrence. Which it wasnt, not by a long shot.
She didnt wait for him to answer; she just started walking to the back stairs that were next to the kitchen. Sucking in air so she wouldnt appear out of breath, which she was due to the faint masculine scent that drifted from Todd, she walked down the hall to the bedroom next to hers.
You can have your pick of rooms. Daddy wanted this place to hold all of us, plus guests.
The room held a king-size bed, a dresser and armoire, a wide padded window seat and a big comfortable-looking chair. Her mother had decorated it in soothing shades of green, and it looked as posh as a fancy hotel but much homier due to the oak floors and walls. Todd looked around with a satisfied smile. This is great, Emily. I cant believe your father built this place himself.
Well, I helped a little. I thought about going into architecture at one time, but science was my real calling. She felt her cheeks grow hot as the shyness that usually overtook her when she was talking to a good-looking man arose. Okay, Ill let you get settled. I have to get the shampoo out of my hair, she said as she felt the ends, which were getting crispy from the dried suds.
Todd grinned as he saw her fingering her long ringlets. This time I promise not to spy.
A hot flush raced over her, but this time it didnt reach her face. Rather, it lingered in the most intimate part of her body, and for some reason the feeling wasnt terribly uncomfortable. It was kind of exciting, which made her back out of the room with a quickness. It wouldnt do you any good, buddy, because Im locking the door.
Todds laughter followed her down the hall as she hurried to finish her shower properly.
The day ended much better than it had begun, especially the part with the police raid. After Todd got his things put away, he took a shower in the bathroom that was located safely down the hall from the one Emily was using. He tried valiantly not to think about what she was doing in the other bathroom, but it was impossible. Now that he knew what she looked like under the loose, often baggy clothes that she usually wore, his whole perspective of her had changed. Hed always thought of her as ubersmart, funny and cute as hell, but now he knew the real deal. Emily was a true banger with brains, and it was a dangerous combination. To punish himself for the lustful turn his thoughts were taking, he turned the water to full-on cold, but it didnt help a bit. The erection hed gotten from thinking about Emily doubled in size in pure defiance.
Thanks a lot, friend, he mumbled as he turned the water off. Thats just what I need. Ive already spied on the woman, and now Im entertaining thoughts of lust. You need to calm down before you make me do something Ill regret later. Although he couldnt imagine regretting anything he did with Emily. She was so different from the airheaded sexpots he usually wound up with. Anything that transpired between him and Emily would be pure pleasure. He had just finished toweling himself dry when his cell phone rang. He groaned when he saw the number on his caller ID, because it belonged to a woman he had no desire to speak with ever again. He ignored the phone and finished his grooming so he could see what Emily was doing. Whatever it was, it was bound to be as interesting as she was.
Emily took a last look in the mirror before going down to the kitchen. Shed gotten all the shampoo out and put on the leave-in conditioner her sister had forced on her the last time they were together. Makeup and other girly things werent high on Emilys list of priorities, but she finally agreed with Ayanna on conditioner and a few other basics like clear lip gloss. Her wardrobe was still more functional than feminine, though. She had a vast array of T-shirts and knit tops that she wore with denim for leisure and khakis for work, but that was about it. Even now she was wearing shorts and a tank top with a pair of flip-flops. She looked clean and plain. If she had on some cute earrings or something it might help upgrade her image, but she didnt bring any with her.
What you see is what you get, she said with a slight frown. She tossed her long, heavy hair over her shoulder and went down to the kitchen to see if there was anything she could make for dinner. The refrigerator door was wide open and she was inspecting the contents when Todds voice startled her. Two tomatoes hit the floor as he asked if there was anything he could to do to help.
You can quit sneaking up on me! Im going to put a bell on you, she said with a frown. Learn to make some noise when you come into a room.
I didnt mean to scare you, again, he said with the dazzling smile that made her weak in the knees. How about I take you out to dinner to make up for it?
Well, I was going to make something, but if you want to eat out, we can.
Wait a minute, youre offering home cooked food? Maybe I should think this over. How good of a cook are you? He leaned against the counter and continued to show her his dazzling white perfect teeth in his devilish smile.
It was her turn to smile as she answered him. I cook by the decimal system, she replied.
Im not familiar with that, he admitted.
I can make ten of most things. Ten kinds of cake, ten kinds of sandwiches, ten kinds of salad, you get my drift. I cook basics, like chicken. But I know ten ways to fix it.
Thats, um, different.
Emily shrugged. Everybody should know how to feed themselves. Ten seemed to be a good number to master. Anything less is boring and anything more is superfluous. So I can fix eggs ten ways. Same with potatoes, tomatoes and just about anything else.
Todd laughed. Practical and creative, a woman after my own heart. And as much as Id like to sample some of your decimal kitchen stylings, Id be less than a gentleman if I didnt take you out. You do like seafood, dont you?
Emily made a little face. I love it, but Im not really dressed to go out. And I cant go change, because I didnt bring anything fancy with me. I dont actually own anything fancy, except the dress I wore in Ayannas wedding, she said with a hint of defiance.
So? You look fine to me, and I wasnt thinking about anything fancy. I kinda pictured a dive bar with good food and ice-cold beer. Is there anything like that around here?
Emily grinned. If thats what you want, I have just the place for you. Lets go.
This is just what I had in mind, Todd said approvingly. Good music, cold beer and great food. And the atmosphere is perfect.
They were seated next to the windows that ran the length of the long, narrow dining room of Fishys Roadhouse. The walls and floors were of the same weathered wood. The tables were a mixture of old wood and fifties Formica, with worn vinyl chairs. Old license plates and Burma-Shave ads were on the walls, along with stuffed fish and other oddities. A big jukebox was near the bandstand, and Use Somebody by the Kings of Leon was playing. The staff wore bowling shirts and jeans, and the total effect was laid-back and cheerful. The food was exceptional, and they had polished off a pile of crab legs and lobster with corn bread, coleslaw and fries. They had also shared a huge slab of pecan pie with Fishys homemade ice cream.
Todd was enjoying himself tremendously. Emily was totally unselfconscious while she ate, and she ate like a real person, not like the women he dated. They were the salad brigade, women who avoided carbs and red meat and desserts, all the things that made life worth living. Emily had a beautiful body, and she seemed to treat it very well without starving herself. In his experience, a woman who enjoyed the pleasure of eating enjoyed other pleasures as well. From what he could see, Emily was a very sensual lady in all ways. She had a heart-shaped face with rich brown skin that looked as if it would be soft and smooth to touch. Her thick eyebrows were natural, like her eyelashes. That was one of the things he really liked, the fact that she wasnt plastered with makeup. And her smile was just as sexy as she was, with big dimples that bracketed her full, moist lips.
Im glad you like this place. I come here all the time when Im on Hilton Head, she told him. Its really good in October when the stone crab claws are in season. You can only get them in Florida, but the owner has a relative there and he gets some a few times during the season. Theyre wonderful, my favorite food.
How often are you able to get to Hilton Head? he asked.
Not as often as Id like. When Im not at the university, Im still busy with community work, like my summer science camp. Or Im going somewhere else to work. I was in Haiti after the earthquake. I was in New Orleans after Katrina. I never know where Im going to be, she said. Recreation gets pushed to the back of the line when it comes to my schedule.
Todd was impressed but curious. What do you do when youre working in disaster areas? How does your background in biochemistry lend itself to, um?
Emily smiled at the way Todd was struggling to word his question. Dont worry. Im not experimenting on people or anything. Not too many people know that Im a medical doctor as well as being a Ph.D. I volunteer for Doctors Without Borders. I usually spend my vacation traveling for the organization.
Dang girl, you put me to shame, Todd said with obvious sincerity. Okay, I dont understand how a woman like you is still single. Are you sure there isnt some big jealous guy whos gonna come looking for you and try to split my skull? You are probably the most accomplished person Ive ever met, he said with eyes full of admiration.
Emily gave him a slight side eye. Thats the kind of question a woman would ask, Todd. You sound like you dont know much about your own species. When has career accomplishment ever been a criterion for male attraction?
Todd looked surprised at her blunt tone. Well, now that all depends on the man. Some men like prime rib and some like burgers, he began.
Emily held up her hand as she rolled her eyes. Really, Todd? Youre comparing me to meat? I think we need to go home so you can have some quiet time. Youre venturing into some real scary territory, she said with a smile.
Todd returned her grin with one of his own. Youre right. Lets get out of here before I put my other foot in my mouth. He left a generous tip and they departed. Even though hed been warned, he had to make an additional comment as they walked to the car. I stand by what I said. Youre the whole package, Ms. Emily, which is why I cant understand why youre single.
She groaned and shook her head. Why is marriage supposed to be this big prize? Why is it like the most important thing in the world for a woman? I could ask you the same thing, you know. Youre not married, so whats up with that?
Todd had to smile as he put his arm around her shoulder. Thats a good question, and Im going to give you a good answer as soon as I think of one.
Youd better think hard, because I have a well-honed B.S. detector built into my head, she cautioned him.
Duly noted. Ill never try to get over on you in any way, he vowed.
Dont even worry about it, Todd. I wouldnt let you get over on me anyway.
Chapter 4
The rest of the evening was a lot of fun, as well as being a revelation for Todd. When they reached the house, they were still bantering back and forth about a number of things, and Todd discovered that Emily had a wicked sense of humor. She also had great taste in TV, as far as he was concerned.
We dont bother with cable since were not here daily, but we have lots of DVDs. Do you like True Blood? Ive got the box set, Emily told him. The first two seasons.
That show is the only reason I got a DVR, Todd said reverently. Well, not the only one, but one of them.
Emily handed him the DVD with a smile. Youve got good taste in TV. That bit of good taste just about makes up for the meat thing. Im going to make popcorn.
Todd watched her cute behind and long shapely legs as she went to the kitchen, and he smiled. He was putting the disc into the player when his cell phone rang. The sight of the name on his caller ID made him frown, and he quickly pushed the Ignore button.
Screening calls? Shes not going to like that, Emily teased him.
Todd got up from the couch and took the large tray she was carrying from her hands. Maybe you need to have a bell on. Okay, I get the sneaking up thing. I promise Ill stomp from now on. Thanks for the popcorn. Now can we please just watch True Blood?
Just ignore my question, thats fine, she said with a laugh. I love this show, she added, adroitly changing the subject.
So youre really into supernatural stuff?
Absolutely. I like paranormal, sci-fi, horror, espionage and action, anything like that.
No chick flicks? I thought most women liked them. My sisters love them, Todd said.
Emily made a face. I think my mom might have some here, but its not a genre Im particularly interested in. She picked up the remote and pushed play.
Youre an interesting woman, Emily Porter.
Yeah, thats what they tell me.
Emily couldnt remember when shed felt so good. Nor could she recall the sofa being so comfortable. It was a big, cushy wraparound sectional, but tonight its cushions felt sensational and they smelled good, too. Her eyelids felt curiously heavy as she leaned in closer to get a good sniff of the heavenly fragrance. It was fresh and masculine and it certainly wasnt Febreze, but it smelled familiar. It smelled just like, like Todd. Her eyes opened wide and she realized that shed been curled up next to him with her head on his shoulder, sniffing him like an eager puppy. Heat flooded her face as he looked down at her.
Youre back with me, huh? I thought you were out for the night, he teased.
Emily sat up and tried to disentangle herself from Todds long arms, but he didnt seem too eager to let her go. She gave a final tug so that she was able to put some space between their bodies.
How long have I been asleep? she asked grumpily. She felt her hair and sighed when she realized she had bed head. Running her fingers through it, she gave his T-shirt a look. I didnt drool on you, did I?
Todd laughed; a low, sexy sound. No, you didnt drool. You started getting quiet, and the next thing I know you had nodded out. You missed the second disc in its entirety, he informed her.
You should have shaken me or punched me or something, she said.
First of all, thats not how I would treat a lady, ever. Second, I was enjoying it. Your hair smells good and youre nice and warm.