Part 6 (1/2)

So why wasn't she tingling?

Likely because she was starving. She'd had a busy day, had run into the bar to see to a few things, do some bookwork, make sure everything was set up for tonight with her a.s.sistant manager before rus.h.i.+ng home to clean the house and get ready for her date. And she might have forgotten to eat lunch.

So she was stressed. And really hungry.

She put the flowers in a vase of water, then came out. Joe was standing in her living room, looking around. Grateful she'd cleaned up the mess, she wandered over to him. He was examining the art on the wall.

”This is nice.”

”Thanks. It's one of my favorite pieces.”

”Original?”

”You could say that. Shall we go?”

”Sure.”

He took her coat and helped her with it. The drive downtown didn't take long. They'd had a dusting of snow earlier in the day, so it was cold. Thankfully he used the available valet parking the restaurant provided, so she wouldn't have to worry about maneuvering the snow in her heels. They dashed inside where it was warm and cozy.

He led her to the bar and they ordered drinks.

For once it was nice to be on the other side of the bar, receiving rather than serving.

She sipped a martini and tried to settle in for a night of fun. It was time to relax and enjoy her gorgeous date, who turned his panty-melting brown eyes on her.

”So tell me what there is to do in your fine city.”

”Everything. There's art, music, and theater, if you enjoy those things. There's also sports as you probably noticed from Riley's. We have a football and baseball team as well as a hockey team.”

”Not much into sports, but I could get into the art museums.”

Not into sports and good looking? She should be swooning by now.

”Do you like music?”

He shrugged. ”Not much time to listen to music, so I'm not a big fan.”

Her heart crumbled. Still, she decided to keep an open mind.

”So what do you do for fun?”

He laughed. ”I've been in medical school for the past twelve years. I haven't had any fun. When I haven't been working or studying, I've slept.”

”You're right. You haven't had any fun. What's your specialty?”

”Cardiology.”

”Big undertaking.”

”Yes, but I'm excited about it. It's all I've ever wanted to do. Being a doctor has been my dream since I was a kid.”

”A family dynasty thing?”

He laughed. ”Not at all. My father worked in construction his whole life. My mom worked as a secretary.”

He was so interesting, so vast, so smart. He was dedicated, motivated, friendly, and definitely not at all bad on the eyes.

They moved into the restaurant for dinner, and he captivated her with his conversation, made her laugh with his stories about medical school and the horrors of life as an intern. He didn't just talk about himself, though, but engaged her and asked her about herself and her family and her goals and dreams for her own future.

He was almost the perfect man.

After dinner she drove him around and told him about her favorite places. He seemed fascinated with the history of the city, then told her what he was interested in doing.

”Will you settle here?”

”I'll be here for a few years. I don't know where I want to end up.”

”Probably somewhere near your family, don't you think?”

He pulled up in front of her condo, shut off the engine. ”I'm a big boy. I don't need to live so close to home anymore.”

She laughed. ”I guess to me family is so important. I can't imagine ever being far away from them.”

”That's what makes people so different, Jenna. I like the freedom to live my own life. You like being close to those you love.”

”I guess you're right.”

Then the conversation was over, and he leaned in.

She waited for the swell of heat, the explosion of sensation.

His lips brushed hers and he enveloped her in his arms. She went willingly into the kiss, tangled her fingers in his hair.

His tongue swept across hers.

It was...nice.

Dammit. It was nice. Pleasant. No fireworks. Nothing in her body was going off like a rocket.

This guy was gorgeous, successful, funny, and she'd just had a great night with him.

And there wasn't a single hormone in her body that wanted to jump his bones.

How disappointing.

He broke the kiss and smiled at her. ”Who's the guy?”