Long pause. Scott continued, “Oh yeah. Okay.” Another pause. “How come?” He’d totally remembered that Finn had switched shifts, he was just looking for an entry to ask for details without sounding nosy.
No privacy. No secrets in the Halseth family. Finn secured his towel around his waist and opened the door. “I just did, okay?” Damn, he felt like a teenager sneaking out to take his girlfriend parking.
“Huh. You usually like working Friday nights. Keeps you busy.” Scott shrugged, but didn’t leave the doorway. “I’ll get another steak out to thaw then. Thought it was just me tonight.”
“No, Pops, I’m, uh, I’m heading out tonight.” He rubbed a hand through his sopping wet hair, wondering when he could close the door and get ready for his date. Haley didn’t need the heartache of wondering if she was going to get stood up.
Scott backed up a step. “Great. That’s great. Out with the gang again? I’m so glad you reconnected with some of your old friends.”
“No. I, uh…” He didn’t want any secrets with his family. “I’ve got a date.”
Poor Scott looked like he was attempting theNew York TimesSunday crossword. “I thought you and Trace broke up because you weren’t ready to be involved. And she’s out of town. Moving on a bit quick, aren’t you?”
Shit. And this is why he was taking Haley far from Foothills. Trace didn’t need the gossip mills wondering why he was dating someone else so quick. “Nothing serious. Really. Just a rebound.”
“Rebound. Huh. She know she’s a rebound?”
“Yeah Pops. Actually, I think I’m the rebound. She’s wrapping up a divorce.”
Scott visibly grimaced. “You sure about this? Getting in the middle of a divorce? Things can get messy when a married couple splits.”
Oh man, this conversation was becoming so much more complicated than he had anticipated. And he was still wearing nothing more than a freaking towel. Scott wasn’t about to let him off the hook now. “Yeah. It’ll be final in a few weeks. The jerk cheated on her, leaving her with no friends. And she’s new in town. Neither of us are looking for anything serious. Just some good company.”
Scott backed up another step and scratched his head. “Well, I guess you know what you’re doing. And if you hooking up with this girl will save on the hot water bill, I’m game.”
Finn closed his eyes and exhaled slowly. Maybe his family was a little too honest. His dad headed down the hall and Finn was finally able to finish getting ready. A bit tighter of a timeline, he shoved Zoe’s hair dryer and makeup and things he didn’t know the name or purpose of into the drawer, then quickly smoothed down his hair, brushed, flossed, and dashed down the hall to his bedroom.
Tossing his towel on the chair that served more as a laundry receptacle than an actual seat, he opened his closet. Fuck, he should have donated all these suits. He hated the damn things, but it had gone with the territory.
He tossed on a pair of slacks and a charcoal gray button-up. Hated the cuffs, but he buttoned the stupid things anyway so he could skip the tie and jacket. Black leather belt, black athletic shoes, and he was ready. Yeah, he wanted to impress Haley, but he really, really couldn’t bear to wear slippery, ass-wipe dress shoes.
He hopped in his Shelby and tore off toward Haley’s. Easing off on the gas when he saw how efficiently he’d gotten ready, he slowed to half the speed limit. Such a fine line, too early versus too late, or looking suspiciously punctual.
He pulled in the driveway only seven minutes early. Checked his phone; no new messages or emails. Reviewed the traffic report; all clear. Triple checked his gas tank was full.
At five minutes ‘til, he couldn’t take it anymore. Stepping out of the car, he dashed up to the front door. He raised his hand to knock when the door swung open.
Like a fresh summer breeze blasting him back until he was high on giddiness, Haley stood in the doorway, that flirty lopsided smile knocking him on his ass. Hot as fuck, pretty as a picture, Haley stood in a silky pink dress that was playful and feminine. Her long legs reminded him of how she’d ensnared him against her that night on the bar. Her rich brown hair was down, a few inches past her shoulders with long curls. A simple teardrop necklace framed her neck.
And those lips. Damn, he could go on and on. He should wait. End of the date thing, remember?
Before his brain could complete the thought, he closed the narrow distance between them and slid his hand around her waist.
Leaning down, he tasted those lush lips.
Nibbled.
Grazed his tongue along her pouty bottom lip.
Gripping her hand around the back of his neck, she swept her tongue over his. As he eased in, she shifted, wrapping her lips around his tongue and tugging, sucking, releasing then delving back in, the heat of her mouth melding with his, erasing all coherent thought from his one-track mind.
His other hand reached down and palmed her hip, trailing down her dress in a desperate need to find skin. Score. He slid his hand up her thigh, cupping her very, very fine ass.
Sighing against his mouth, she pressed tighter against him, mouth plundering his with even more fervor.
Completely breathless, irreparably rumpled, they managed to pull away. Stepping back, he moved out of reach before he attacked her again. “Hey,” he said on a heavy exhale.
“Hey.” She blinked the haze from her vision.
