And now Kay was grasping at straws to distance herself.
Because she was scared.
Because she really liked him.
Ugh.
“Take a right at the signal,” she said softly.
As though sensing she was going around in circles in her mind, Garret just nodded and then silently followed the rest of her directions until he was pulling into her driveway. She owned a house south of the City and though it was ridiculously small—she mentally shook her fist at the price of Bay Area real estate—Kay was very proud of it. The little Craftsman had a wide front porch that was dotted with pots of hardy flowers she’d somehow managed to keep alive.
And considering her black thumb, that was saying something.
“Thanks,” she said softly and then bit her lip, unsure what to say and suddenly nervous.
“This place is great,” he said, staring at her house. “Is it blue or gray? It’s hard to tell in this light.”
Her lips curved, and she relaxed. “It’s blue-gray. Do you”—she sucked in a breath—“do you want to come in?”
There.
That might have been the bravest thing she’d ever done with a man. Inviting him into her house and not even under the guise of a nightcap. She wasn’t necessarily the type of girl to sleep with someone after a date or two, however good or bad they were. But with Garret, she thought she could be.
Quiet filled the car, and Kay felt her cheeks heat.
Chocolate eyes locked onto hers, desire in their depths, and yet he didn’t move to get out of the car.
His expression went rueful. “I want to come in, but I’m not going to. I consider myself on probation after our first date.”
“Probation?” she asked, head tilting to study him. A mix of relief and disappointment coursed through her, which told her he was probably right in his decision to not come in. Yes, she wanted him, but yes, there was also a part of her waiting for the asshole to reappear.
It was just too soon.
He cupped her cheek. “You need time to get to know me.” One half of his mouth curved. “The not jerky version.”
“How long do you propose this probationary period to last?”
“Hmm. Three months should do it?”
Her heart jumped. Three months? He was considering—
Fingers on her wrist again. “Will you go out with me sometime next week?”
“I’d like that.” She reached into her purse and handed him her card. “Here’s my email.”
“No phone number?”
She shook her head, reached for the handle. “We’ll work up to it.”
A grin that made her thighs clench. “I’m good with working up to things. But”—his eyes scorched her—“I’d like to kiss you goodnight.”
Her mouth went dry, longing pulsed through her.
But then his expression transformed, going all innocent as he shrugged. “I mean, if you want to. No big deal.”
Amusement filled her. “Nope. No can do, bucko,” she told him. “You’re on probation, remember?” Disappointment crossed his gorgeous face, and Kay bit back a smile. “But . . . I can kiss you because I’m not the one aboard the paddy wagon.”
One brow rose. “Paddy wagon?”