I was already in a rush to prepare dinner when Lindsey arrived a little after six. I answered the door with lemon pepper marinade all over my left hand and some barbecue sauce in my bangs. I wasn't quite sure how I'd managed that accident.

At five-foot-four with thick brown shoulder-length hair and big hazel eyes, Lindsey could've been Kacey's twin. Like Kacey, she had a knack for fashion, strutting around in cute furry boots and perfectly matching her scarf to the rest of her outfit. I'd always told her she should've gone for a dual career in fashion and realty. Before becoming a realtor, she'd worked as an interior designer and home stager for her mentor, Ella, who was now the broker at their real estate office.

"Dear God in heaven. What the fuck are you doing, Kate?" Lindsey burst into laughter at my appearance.

"Apparently, aprons are bad luck," I said, leading her into the kitchen. "Because I put it on to catch the mess, but the mess has, so far, gotten everywhere except on the apron."

"Sounds about right," she grinned and set her folder down on the kitchen table.

While she laid out the paperwork I would need to sign, I attempted to finish transferring my marinated chicken thighs into the skillet and wash the residue off my hands and out of my hair.

I'd gotten home later than I'd wanted, having not originally planned to tour houses that afternoon. I'd expected to leave work earlier and get home with plenty of time to cook and relax a while before Alex showed up. Instead, my chicken had gotten more of a glazing than a proper marinating, and I only hoped that I would have enough time to clean up the mess on the stove top before dinner time.

I placed the last of the thighs in the skillet and put the lid on. Then I trekked over to where Lindsey sat, pen in hand, ready to begin the selling process.

"After this move is over, might I suggest a vacation?" She looked at me with that same big-sisterly expression she gave Kacey when giving advice.

I wiped a drop of sweat from my forehead and flopped down in the chair beside her. "You're not the first person to tell me that this week, and it's only Monday."

"It's a sign." She pointed her pen at me to emphasize her statement. "Now, shall we?"

"Fire away."

We spent roughly thirty minutes going over paperwork and discussing the selling process while I frequently tended to my food. I signed a document retaining Lindsey as my real estate agent and we reviewed my title, mortgage, insurance, and property tax information, among other things.

While I finished up dinner, Lindsey took a quick look around the house and we set up another time for her to come back and take photos for the online listing.

The house was only worth about $105,000 and that was the listing price we agreed on. It had been my first major step in adulthood after graduating, aside from my car. I couldn't afford much at the time, but it was a nice little house in a quiet neighborhood and it was easy to maintain. That was all I'd needed at the time.

"I'll see you Thursday morning!" Lindsey smiled and waved as she jogged out to her SUV moments later.

I looked at the clock. 6:40. I had just enough time to freshen up and clean off the stove.

I left the two burners I'd been using on low to keep the food warm while I scrubbed around them where I'd dripped sauce. My side dish was a mix of carrots, bell pepper, onion, and celery cooked in a little bit of wine with a dash of garlic powder and fresh cracked pepper. It didn't sound as expert-level as Alex's cooking, but I liked to think I was a pretty decent chef, and I was overall pleased with how the meal turned out in such a short time frame.

I hurried to change into something that didn't have marinade on it and touched up my hair and makeup. I was walking back into the kitchen when the doorbell rang.

I hesitated a few seconds, not wanting Alex to think I'd been anxiously awaiting his arrival. I sauntered over to the door and when I opened it, I was not prepared for the sight before me.

There stood Alex in a London blue button-up and black slacks. The top three buttons were undone and a nice black tie hung somewhat loosely around his neck. The blue shirt brought out a different shade in his eyes that I hadn't before noticed. I guessed he was one of those people whose eyes appeared to change color depending on what they were wearing.

He looked absolutely amazing. His hair hung in wisps and I longed to run my fingers through it. He was leaning against the brick on the porch with one hand stuffed in his pocket and the other holding a small bouquet of pink and white roses. There was that same enthralling look in his eyes. I felt underdressed in my plaid shirt and jeans compared to him.

"You look beautiful," he said in a sweet voice, his eyes scanning up and down my frame. "May I come in?"

I was almost speechless, standing there, staring – practically gawking – at him.

"Please."

I moved out of the way and he stepped inside, stopping in the entryway while I shut the door.

"How did you know I love pink and white roses together?" I asked, unable to wipe the smile off my face when he handed them to me.

"I may or may not have asked Selena."

I rolled my eyes. "Y'all are sneaky. Seriously, though, thank you so much. They're beautiful."

He flashed me that dazzling smile and pecked my cheek. "Not as beautiful as you, Kate."

"Sneaky and cheesy." I pointed a finger at him.

"Do I smell wine?" Alex pursed his lips, looking around.

I nodded and started leading him to the kitchen. "Yeah. I like to cook with wine."

"Really?" he smiled. "So do I."

I felt like I'd earned a point on the board with his statement.

"If you want, you can go ahead and have a seat and I'll dish up dinner," I told him, gesturing to the table while I fetched a vase to put the roses in.

Alex smiled sweetly and shook his head, stepping closer to me. He pulled me into his arms and looked down at me with that hypnotic gaze.

"I'd rather help with dinner. Besides, you haven't kissed me yet and I'm terribly offended," he whispered jokingly, unable to hold back his dorky smile.

He leaned down and planted a deep, fervent kiss on my lips, tightening his hold around my waist. The kiss only lasted a few seconds, but I already felt out of breath when we pulled apart.

"Okay," I surrendered breathlessly. "You can help."

"Thank you," he smiled and pecked my cheek again, releasing me from his grasp and moving to inspect the food on the stove.

"I didn't know what you'd prefer, so I made both lemon pepper and barbecue chicken thighs, and mixed veggies," I told him, mentally crossing every finger I had in hopes that he would like what I made.

"It looks amazing," he smiled and my heart fluttered.

I retrieved two plates and Alex dished out the chicken while I dished out the veggies. He couldn't decide between the two types of chicken and grabbed one of each. Alex, being the casual type, opted for a root beer instead of wine or champagne like Jesse would have gone for. I didn't mind and decided a break from the alcohol at dinner actually sounded nice. I grabbed a Coke for myself.

We took our seats at my kitchen table since my dining room table was currently substituting for a second desk. I started on my veggies first while Alex began with the chicken.

I tried to avoid staring at him while I waited to find out if he hated my cooking. I occupied my mind with steamy thoughts of undoing the rest of his shirt buttons, thinking back to our heated experience in the elevator that morning. I felt my cheeks flush when his eyes found mine and I decided to file those fantasies away until after dinner.

"What are you thinking about?" Alex asked with knowing eyes.

He licked his lips and I remembered the taste of his mouth on mine. That damn blush returned.

"How's the food?" I tried to change the subject.

He smirked, likely knowing exactly what was on my mind, and took a sip of his root beer. His eyes never strayed from mine. The stare was almost paralyzing. I knew he was thinking about the same thing that I had been.

"Delicious."

His reply may have been in regards to my cooking, but it was obvious in his tone of voice that he was referring to something else entirely.

That penetrating gaze was making it quite hot in my kitchen and I resisted the urge to fan myself.

"Where were you this afternoon?" Alex finally changed the subject after a long pause.

I debated whether or not to tell him. I had been planning on not saying anything until we signed something cementing the move, but I didn't want to lie to him.

"Selena and I went to look at some houses," I told him. "We decided the commute was too much and we're going to move somewhere close to work."

Alex seemed really interested in the conversation. "Any particular area you're looking at?"

"We saw a house in Belleville that we think will work, but we've got to get our friend, Kacey's, opinion. She'll be living with us, too."

"Belleville..." he mumbled, taking a bite of carrot. "That's a little further from me than Phillipsburg, isn't it?"

I was hoping he wouldn't notice that.

I nodded sheepishly.

He bit his bottom lip and took another bite. There was an awkward silence and then he offered to help me pack up and move.

Now I couldn't ask Jesse – unless, maybe, they could unknowingly alternate. Regardless, I appreciated the help. Alex would certainly look good lifting boxes as well.

Good was an understatement. Alex would look amazing helping me move. Funny how such a mundane task could sound so sexy with the right man performing it.

I started imagining him shirtless, carrying heavy boxes out to the moving van while I pretended not to drool at the sight. Before I knew it, I was clenching my thighs together under the table and having flashbacks to my scandalous actions beneath the tablecloth the first night I'd had dinner with Jesse. Suddenly, my mouth felt dry as sand.

I gulped down the rest of my Coke and tried to keep from undressing Alex with my eyes while he finished his food. But I could see him smirking in my peripheral vision. He was a mind reader. He knew exactly what I was thinking.

We made small talk about work and I asked how his article was coming along while he helped me clear the table and put the dishes in the dishwasher. We stole glances at each other while we shoveled the leftovers into Tupperware. In my head, I was entertaining thoughts of him doing the dishes without a shirt on. Was it getting blazing hot or was it just me?

"That was a really great dinner," Alex commented from behind me as I was shutting the refrigerator door.

I felt his arms slip around my waist before I could turn around and he nestled his face into the crook of my neck, planting a trail of not-so-innocent kisses across my bare skin. The sleeve of my flannel had slid down, exposing my shoulder. His lips lingered there and I rested my head back against his chest, closing my eyes in blissful relaxation.

"I'm sorry I didn't have time to make anything for dessert," I said in almost a whisper and I could feel Alex's lips curve into a smirk.

"I'm sure we can find something else to do with our time."

His voice was rough and breathy. I remembered Jesse's idea of dessert and found myself wondering what Alex's was. Damn, did I want to find out...

"Like what?" I challenged, turning around in his arms and placing my hands on his chest.

He looked down at me with a fire in his eyes like I'd ever seen. It was lust. It was passion. It was need. It was a yearning for the deepest connection he could get with another soul. No man had ever looked at me that way before.

I was awestruck, gazing into his eyes. Every splash of color was visible. The vibrant green. The subtle glimmers of blue. The little gold flecks that sparkled like the lights on his Christmas tree. He had the most beautiful eyes I think I'd ever seen. It was like I could see Vincent van Gogh's Starry Night in them.

His lips parted and I waited for him to speak, but no words came. He hesitated, searching my eyes for confirmation.

I moved my hands to the buttons on his shirt and slowly started to undo them. I could feel his heartbeat quickening with each button as my fingers worked their way down.

Once Alex's shirt lay open between us, I slid my hands beneath the material and tentatively touched his skin. His abs contracted beneath my touch. I heard his breath hitch. My hands inched higher and finally came to rest on his chest. His heart was racing beneath my right hand.

"Is this what you had in mind?" I whispered.

My throat felt dry as a bone and I realized just how hard my own heart was pounding. I couldn't remember ever feeling such a consuming emotional pull with a man before. This was unfamiliar territory and I didn't know what to think of it. Jesse had been the most mind blowing sexual partner I'd ever had. He'd rocked my world – literally and figuratively. But I hadn't experienced this profound feeling of tempestuous need when I was with him. Alex's presentence was an all-encompassing passion. A raging storm of mania. And we hadn't even lost our clothes yet.

"That depends," Alex said softly, his hands slipping beneath my shirt. "Is this what you want?"

His fingertips brushing over my skin sent a shiver up my spine and he took that as his cue to continue. He stepped forward and I stepped back. I was pinned against the refrigerator, frozen, lost in his intense stare.

"Yes," I managed to mutter as his hands reached my breasts. "Tell me what you want."

He swallowed hard and his Adam's apple bobbed in his throat when his thumbs caressed my nipples.

"I want this," he said, soft, yet confident. "I want you, Kate. I want this with you."