But what would she do if she knew all of those things?
Right or wrong, and he admitted to himself that there was some wrong involved, he decided that Maggie needed to get to know the real man, not the image, the rumors, or who he’d been pretending to be for so many years. The past few weeks he’d felt as if he’d shed his skin and was ready to start fresh.
“So, if I may ask, why are you really here in Cricket Creek?” Maggie asked quietly.
Rick thought about how to answer. It was only fair that if she came out here and spent time with him she knew some of the truth, which, for now at least, was pretty much based on where he was going and not where he’d been. “I was at a dead end in my career and so I decided to come here and reflect on my life. Make some much-needed changes.”
“Change can be difficult. Frightening. I hope you discover what you’re looking for.”
“It’s a work in progress, but I’m getting there.” He was actually pretty excited about the idea that had suddenly come to him in the middle of a sleepless night. He wanted to share it with her so badly but now wasn’t the time.
“I can relate.” She nodded but didn’t pry, even though he could see in her eyes that she wanted to know more.
“But right now all I care about is spending the evening with a beautiful woman.”
“Oh, are you expecting company?”
Rick laughed. There was something so real and wonderful about her. “No, she’s already here.” Rick expected her to dip her head and blush or look away but instead she held his gaze.
“Why, thank you.” The breeze caught her hair, blowing it across her face. She brushed the strands away, laughing as if life was simply wonderful.
Something was different about her tonight, not just in the extra care she’d taken with her makeup, but a certain confidence that wasn’t present before. And he liked it. “Let’s get dinner started—what do you say?” When she nodded Rick stood up and offered his hand. She took it and it felt so good having her small hand in his firm grasp.
“Is there something I can help you with in the kitchen?”
“Nope, I want you to simply sit back and watch. I want to spoil you a little bit,” he said, and realized it was true. She’d been a hardworking single mom and deserved to be pampered. And he was just the man to do it.
“Well, now.” Maggie slid onto a stool and folded her hands. “I won’t have any problem doing that.”
“Sitting back?”
“No. Watching you.”
Rick looked at her and she held his gaze once more. He felt a strong pull of desire, and when she smiled it was all he could do not to walk over there and draw her into his arms. He found her slightly suggestive flirting much more stimulating than bold sexual moves. Anticipation was highly underrated. As he gathered the items he needed Rick could feel her eyes watching him with appreciation, putting an underlying sensual vibe in the room that felt almost tangible.
“More?” Rick held up bottle of wine.
“Please.” When she slid her glass across the smooth granite Rick reached for it but deliberately let his fingers linger on hers. After pouring he looked at her a beat longer than he needed to. When he saw the slight rise and fall of her chest he suspected she was feeling much of the same.
Rick unwrapped the white butcher’s paper from the salmon. “Wild caught,” he told her, and she nodded.
“Perfect. I detest when they add that artificial coloring to the farm-raised variety.”
“I thought I’d make a dill sauce. Sound okay with you?”
“Absolutely.” Maggie toyed with the stem of her glass. “Again, I’m impressed.”
“It’s just Dijon mustard, mayo, and fresh dill. Easy but full of flavor.” Rick pointed to the box containing wild rice. “Easy as well, but I will say that I’ve discovered a love of cooking that I didn’t know I possessed. The rice will simmer while I grill the fish.” He grinned. “And the salad is from a bag again. Spring greens that I’ll toss with mandarin orange slices and almonds.” He turned away and located a wooden salad bowl. “I’ll get the salad tossed, put the rice on, and then we can go outside on the deck while I grill the fish.” He snapped his fingers. “Oh, and I bought a loaf of French bread from the bakery up on Main Street. Don’t let me forget it.”
“This is such a guilty pleasure watching you work.”
“There’s nothing to feel guilty about. I’m enjoying myself. Open up.” Rick leaned across the island and offered her a mandarin orange slice. God, the touch of her warm tongue against his fingers sent a hungry jolt of desire straight to his groin.
“Mmmm . . . so good. May I have another?”
“You sure can.” Rick slid a second slice into her mouth, nearly groaning when she sucked ever so slightly on his thumb.
“That’s it.” Maggie shook her head. “I can’t stand it any longer.”
Rick’s heart thudded and he looked at her expectantly.
“I have to come over there and help.”
Before he could find his voice to protest, Maggie stood beside him. “Tell me what you want me to do.”
“That’s a loaded question.”
She laughed. “How about if I slice the bread?”
“I could think of other things, but okay.”
“You’re being awfully frisky, Mr. Rule.”
“Do you like it?”
“I do . . .”
Rick’s smiled but it felt a bit forced. He didn’t like not being honest with her but told himself it was necessary for now. “The bread is on the counter behind me.”
Maggie nodded and made herself at home, finding the knife, cutting board, and bread basket. While he tossed the salad she sliced the bread. They stood close, nearly but not quite touching. Rick decided he needed to remedy that whole situation and reached from behind her to pick up the small bag of almonds. His arm grazed against her arm that held the end of the loaf.
“Would you cut me a thin slice? I didn’t realize how hungry I was until just now.”
“Sure.” When she turned and handed him the bread he stepped closer.
“Thanks. Oh, this tastes as good as it looks,” Rick said. “I wanted to hold off but just couldn’t stand it any longer.”
“Sometimes you just have to try to find out,” she said holding his gaze. “Richard?”
He swallowed the bread. “Yes?”
“I do believe that my body is about ready to catch fire with the need to kiss you. Hot and bothered doesn’t even begin to describe how I’m feeling right about now. I’m ready for an appetizer and I don’t mean cheese and crackers.”
“You don’t have to ask twice.” The wild and wonderful kiss exploded in his brain. Rick could not get enough. They stumbled backward, sideways, drunk on desire until somehow, either by accident or grand design, they ended up in the great room on the sofa, in front of the gas fireplace that he’d turned on low earlier.
The waning light from the setting sun cast a soft glow through the windows.
“You’re a beautiful woman, Maggie.” He placed his hand over the wild beating of her heart. “From the inside out.”
“A glass of wine and muted lighting helps,” Maggie joked, making him laugh. God, how he loved being with this woman. It occurred to him how much he’d missed out on over the years by not being in a relationship with someone close to his age. He’d been such an arrogant dumb-ass.
And then he kissed her once more, a hot, sensual meeting of their mouths yet edged with tenderness. She threaded her fingers through his hair and then moved to his shoulders, his back, touching, massaging, exploring. “I do believe I could kiss you all night long.”
“Mmmm, I like the sound of that.” Rick held Maggie close and kissed her neck, loving the taste of her skin and the light floral scent of her hair. Although he longed to make love to Maggie he didn’t want to rush them into anything. After so many years of fast living, he was finding that taking his time was even sweeter. It felt so good having her snuggled next to him, but he eventually summoned his willpower and asked, “Should we finish making dinner?”