Mondays were my favorite even though most people dreaded the day. High St. Fashions was closed on Mondays, and since it was summer, I could sleep in just a bit before I took care of all the things I’d neglected around the house all week. By then, Max would be back from day camp and I got to relax and hang out with him without worrying about homework.

But first, the chores. After getting Max off to summer day camp with minimal fuss, I came home and changed into a pair of shorts and a ratty old tank top and cleaned the house from top to bottom. The house wasn’t all that dirty, but it had to be done today, or by next Monday it would look like a tornado had ripped through it. Max was pretty good about putting away his toys and dirty clothes, but he was still a little boy and didn’t bother to tell me when he ran out of clean underwear.

Which meant laundry was next. All three loads of it, which seemed like a lot for a mere seven days for two people, but summers in Belle Musique were a sweaty affair. And it seemed like the perfect task to get my mind off of my date with Zeke. In four days.

Why was he so set on a date now, months after things had gone belly up between us? I didn’t doubt his sincerity, even though I probably should, because there was no reason for him to lie. Not that it’s ever stopped a man from lying.

“Dammit and here I was, thinking about the one person I said I wouldn’t.”

Luckily the phone rang, and if it wasn’t Zeke, then it would be a very welcome distraction. “Hello?”

“I hope you’re out of breath because you just got your world rocked?” Vivi’s laughter rang down the line and I shook my head and shoved the first load of laundry into the wash.

“Try again. More like I’m old and out of breath from cleaning. Really sexy, right?” We both laughed at my breathless delivery. “What’s up? Writer’s Block?”

Vivi sucked in a breath and I could feel the outrage pouring out of her. “Bite your tongue, woman!”

“Okay. Are you in labor, then?”

“No,” she sighed heavily. “I just wanted to make sure we’re cool. I know I got a little aggressive defending Zeke and urging you to give him another chance.”

“Vivi, stop. We’re fine, I swear. But maybe focus on that handsome husband of yours, Norah and the little one on the way?” Her plate was full to overflowing and she was worrying about me. The woman is a saint.

“Yeah, you’re right. Plus, you’re going on a date with him, so clearly you can’t keep punishing me.”

I sighed as I made my way to the kitchen and to a single parent’s favorite accessory. The slow cooker. Just pop the food in and turn on the heat and hours later, a happy hearty meal that also happened to be healthy.

“I’m not punishing you, Vivi. But I want you to butt out. Can’t you understand that?” It was too hot for soup so I decided to make my little boy’s favorite meal. Lasagna.

“No, I can’t actually. I’m your best friend, Maddie and I’m worried about you.”

“Vivi. Do you remember how weird things were the past few months, with you trying to push us together? No matter what happens, which is nothing, I don’t want a repeat of that. Ever.”

“Does this mean you’re giving Zeke a second chance?”

I shook my head even though Vivi couldn’t’ see me. “No. It means he feels some desire to make amends, and I’m going to let him in the hopes that we can leave this all in the past once and for all.” That wasn’t the entire truth, but it was all Vivi would get today. Lord knows the woman didn’t need any more ammunition.

“You’re no fun. But fine, I’ll stop meddling. But I’m totally writing your story for my readers and you can’t stop me.” Before I could say a word in response, Vivi ended the call with a laugh.

The doorbell rang while I was wrist-deep in ricotta, parmesan and all the other cheeses that make lasagna go straight to my hips. “Who is it?” I winced at my volume, thinking how much trouble Max would be in if he did the same.

The only response was another ring and I groaned, still mixing the herbs with the cheese mixture before washing my hands and heading to the door. Since I just got off the phone with Vivi, I didn’t know who would be visiting in the middle of the day.

In hindsight, I should have.

“Zeke, what are you doing here?” It wasn’t the warmest greeting, but it was all I could muster at the sight of him, looking James Dean-delicious in a pair of jeans that were just snug enough to send my imagination into overdrive and a crisp white t-shirt that did nothing to conceal his wicked muscles.

“I came to drop something off for Max.” Before I could question his motives again, Zeke shoved a blue t-shirt into my hand. “Max asked if there any in his size last week and I didn’t have any, but I bought a small batch to see how they sell.

I blinked as my mind caught up with his words while my eyes focused on his firm, kissable lips. “Oh, right. How much do I owe you?”

Zeke frowned at me, his eyes crinkling around the edges. “If you give me that money I’ll buy you lingerie before our second date,” he warned.

He really was too confident for his own good, and I crossed my arms to prove as much. To him and to myself. “Who says we’ll have a second date?”

His lips curled into a salacious grin. “Who says we won’t?” With that question he stepped up and pushed his way inside, giving me the choice of letting him in easily or letting his big hard body press against every inch of mine along the way.

“I guess that depends on how many other women you kiss after our first date.” It was snarky and bitchy, and I knew it, but I couldn’t make myself care. Remembering he’d made a fool of me once went a long way to help me keep on not caring.

“You want to have this conversation now?”

I shook my head and turned away, as anxious to get back to my lasagna as I was to get away from Zeke. “I don’t want to have the conversation at all, just reminding you where we stand.”

He sighed, he was so close I could clearly feel the puff of air hit the back of my neck, and it wasn’t unwelcome. No matter how many times I gave my body a talking to, she was powerless against Zeke’s magnetism.

“As if I could forget. Is that lasagna?”

Zeke had a hollow leg. It was the only explanation for his bottomless appetite and rock hard physique. “You don’t have lasagna at your restaurant?” I knew he didn’t, but that dark frown he flashed was well worth it.

“Nope, and you know how much I love lasagna.” His voice was pleading, but his eyes were dark and hungry when they landed on my lips.

I turned and began to assemble everything because I couldn’t take anymore without wanting to climb his big body and ride until we were both sweaty and exhausted. “Want me to bring you a plate tomorrow?” It was very nice and completely southern way of telling someone they weren’t invited to dinner.

But Zeke, being a Yank through and through, he nodded with a wide smile. “That would be excellent, Maddie. I always have lunch in my office at one, but you’ll make a great addition to the scenery.” Zeke was also a world class flirt, making women of all ages blush with one sincere compliment.

“We’ll see.” Since he’d called my bluff the only thing I could do was deny, deny, deny. My part-timer at the shop would be there tomorrow, which meant I could go—theoretically—but I didn’t want to commit because last time I’d spent too much time with Zeke I started to fall for him. This time I would be smarter.

“You’ll be there,” he said, all long and lean and self-assured. His voice was low and come out right by my ear, pulling a full body shiver from me.

I warned my traitorous body not to turn around, not to look the sexy beast right in his eyes because I knew if I did, I would be lost. “If I have time and if I remember, sure Zeke.”

One hand landed on my shoulder and turned me to face him. “Don’t worry, Maddie. I’ll make sure you remember.” His words were a dark promise that I wanted him to fulfill—desperately—and that terrified me down to my bones. But then his lips crashed down on mine and I felt completely lost.

His lips were both soft and firm, demanding and insistent. Forcing me to open up and accept the onslaught of his passion that I just couldn’t resist. One of my hands fisted into his shirt, pulling him closer, because I was so desperate for his heady, intoxicating mixture. I wanted more. No, I needed more than one really hot kiss, one hand roaming down my backside while the other fisted in my hair to angle me for his desire.

Zeke deepened the kiss and a low, desire filled moan escaped my mouth and went right into his. He pulled back far too soon, while somehow pulling away at just the right time. Before things got a little too intense for either of us to pull back. “See you tomorrow, Maddie.”

His wink was sexy as hell as he took one step back before leaving through the front door.

With my house empty once again, I set the timer on the slow cooker and went to grab my laundry from the dryer.

Yep, that’s what I should be focusing on. Chores. My home and my business. Max.

Not Zeke.

Not ever, Zeke.

“Not much, anyway.”