“Really?” That surprised her. She’d figured he lived in some fancy neighborhood for doctors and lawyers. Then again, that stereotypical image didn’t fit. Levi didn’t fit into any box.
“You ever run at the park?”
She nodded. Running was her stress relief. She’d never excelled at sports, but running didn’t require any special skills or co-ordination. Running was just her and the wind and her thoughts. Since moving to Angel Creek, running had involved her, her motivational downloads on her iPod, and her overactive imagination as she’d fantasized about Levi.
She told him about her early morning runs—excluding her downloads and fantasies, of course—and how she’d walk the greenway sometimes at night after getting off work to unwind.
“Sounds like we miss each other by about thirty minutes each morning,” Levi mused, scratching his lightly stubbled chin.
“Sounds like.” If only she’d known, she’d have crawled out of bed earlier just to get a glimpse of those legs of his each and every day. Who needed sleep? She’d sleep when she was old.
“Well, if you ever make it out earlier, you’ll have to look for me. We could run together.”
Exactly. She’d be looking for him. His legs. His narrow hips. His—She turned and looked out her window, willing her thoughts away from his body yet again. How could she keep relegating him to the physical when he’d been interesting and gallant and the perfect date?
Except this wasn’t a date. Not really.
He’d saved her life, X-rayed her ribs, taken her to dinner, and was now driving her home. Not a date. Except…except when he looked at her, she felt like she was on a date. Or on the set of a movie where the two characters were on fire for each other and could barely keep their hands to themselves, where just one tiny spark would send them up in flames. Poof.
She wanted to burn.
To smolder.
To go up in smoke.
“This the right place?”
Blinking, Madison glanced at the pretty little white frame house with its navy shutters. “Yep, this is me and Karen. You know Karen. She’s the charge nurse on the medical floor.”
Lord, she was babbling like an idiot. Of course he knew Karen. They’d talked about Karen and her at nursing school quite a bit that evening. Doh!
Be smooth, cool, sexy, Madison. Not a dork.
He just smiled though. “Nice.”
The park and close proximity to the hospital had been major selling points Karen had used in her arguments to get Madison to relocate. Madison liked the house well enough, too.
“Thanks for dinner and for driving me home…” Madison’s mouth dropped open and she shook her head in dismay. The man really messed with her mind. “Only I’d appreciate it if you drove me back to the park so I can pick up my car.” She looked him square in the eyes, willed herself to be strong, to be a modern woman and go for what she wanted. “Unless you’re planning on staying the night and dropping me off at my car in the morning? “
Levi pulled his car into the parking spot next to Madison’s powder-blue convertible VW beetle. He’d thought the car an odd choice for her the first time he’d noticed her driving it. Now, after spending the evening with her, he’d reconsidered. The convertible was the perfect combination of practical and impractical.
A car that would last and get great gas mileage, but that had a bit of whimsy and a generous helping of spunk.
A car that said, Put my top down and take me for a ride.
Just like Madison.
He shook the thought away just as she turned to him and smiled so brightly that he was certain she’d outshine the sun.
“I’ll have to try that pizza place again some time. Everything was delicious.” She licked her lower lip.
Nervously or in a seductive move? Either way, he swallowed, wondering if something had lodged in his throat that Madison was going to have to rescue him from.
“The food was good.” He managed to sound normal. “But, then, that pizza place is one of my favorites.”
He ran his palms over the steering-wheel, counted to ten. He wanted to lean across the distance between the driver and passenger seat, to pull her into his arms and taste those full pink lips.
But what would that accomplish? That is, other than him completely losing his head and taking her up on that offer to spend the night?
How he’d managed to put the SUV into reverse and drive to the park rather than bust her front door down in a rush to get her into bed he had no idea. Definitely he deserved applause, because he’d shown more restraint than he’d known he possessed. Still, he was a man who could see the big picture.
The big picture was that he wanted more with Madison than a one-night sex fest in her bed.
Much more.
Even now he could feel her gaze gliding over him, conveying invitation, conveying that she’d like him to let back her seat and crawl on top of her for a hot and heavy make-out session.
He tightened his grip on the steering-wheel, started counting again.
“I should go,” she said hesitantly, placing her hand on the passenger door handle, but she didn’t get out of the car. Just sat in the seat of his sports utility vehicle. Waiting.
“You should.” But he didn’t want her to get out of his truck. Not really. No more than she really wanted to get out. They sat in silence, staring at each other, the tension mounting, thumping through his head. Kiss her. Kiss her. Kiss Madison. Kiss her now. Kiss her until she’s clinging breathlessly to you.
No, not kiss her. He was going to make her want him long term.
Which required patience.
Which required willpower.
Which required sainthood.
Knowing he was no saint and in serious danger if he didn’t put some distance between them, Levi sucked in a deep breath and jumped out of the Ford. He rounded the front of the truck to open Madison’s door.
“Out you go.”
Looking a little stunned and very disappointed, she climbed out of the SUV with her hand tucked into his for assistance.
Knowing his limitations, he practically pushed her to the driver’s side of her car, waited for her to unlock and open the door.
“Thanks again.” She smiled at him, a mixture of confusion and invitation shining in her eyes. “I had a lovely time.”
Yes, so had he, which was why he ignored the enticement of her lips and high-tailed it into his SUV.
Despite the fact he was heading
