Chapter 27

Sam was wearing a crisp blue shirt. She noticed his clean shave about the same time the scent of his aftershave hit her. He looked and smelled delicious.

“I’ve been sent to borrow a screwdriver,” she said bluntly.

“What kind?”

“A small one for the TV remote. Annette said you’d know.”

A smirk hit his lips and Josie felt self-conscious. He opened the door wider and she stepped inside.

“It’s in the kitchen.”

She followed him through and stood in the doorway, scanning the room as he rifled through a drawer. Then he turned, holding up a screwdriver. “Do you want to stay for a drink?”

Her eyes flitted from him to the table. It was covered with a bright white cloth and two places were set, with a candle in the middle and a large bowl of salad to one side. “Are you expecting someone?”

The dimple appeared in his cheek when he smirked. “I arranged a date a few weeks ago but I think she might have forgotten.” He raised an eyebrow. “Shame because she was really hot too.”

Josie bit her lip. “Annette didn’t really need a screwdriver, did she?” He shook his head and crossed the room to her. She shoved him playfully. “You’re so mean!”

“You’re hanging out with the village gossips too much!”

“I’m not!” she insisted. “I asked you what you were doing tonight and you said you had plans.”

“Plans I made with you three weeks ago! What else did you think I’d be doing?”

“I don’t know.”

“Tara was even following me in and out of shops today. She’s not as stealth-like as she thinks.”

“I didn’t tell her to!”

“I know, they were like this well before you came along. Paul’s just as bad.”

“He’s offended that you lied to him.”

Sam grinned and moved to the fridge to pull out a bottle of wine. “So you’re staying for a drink?”

Josie didn’t reply as her gaze landed on the neatly set table again.

“Are you annoyed with me?” Concern wrinkled Sam’s features. “I thought you’d see the funny side. If I’m in trouble I’d like to point out that I bought you flowers …” He nodded to a bunch of red roses standing in an inch of water in the sink.

She moved to touch a petal, then automatically bent to sniff at them. “Thank you,” she said quietly.

He eased the cork from the wine bottle. “You’re annoyed, aren’t you?”

“No.” A slow smile crept across her face. “It’s really lovely in here.”

“Is it too much?” he asked.

“No,” she said quickly. It wasn’t too much; it was just more than she was used to. Jack making an effort had generally been picking up his clothes from the floor and ordering a takeaway. “It’s all perfect.”

“It’s my standard first date routine! Don’t expect this treatment too often.”

“I’ll bear that in mind.”

He put the wine bottle down when she went over and wrapped her arms around him. “What are you doing?”

“I was thinking about kissing you.”

He frowned and shook his head. “You have to wait until the end of the evening, I’m afraid. It’s a first date rule.”

“Maybe you could bend the rules,” she said, her lips grazing his.

“Maybe I could,” he whispered.

His breath was fresh and minty, and she loved the feel of his soft lips on hers. Their kisses became more fervent and Sam groaned as Josie pushed her body closer to his and gently bit his lower lip.

“Do you know why kissing is generally saved for the end of the date?” he asked, pulling away.

She flashed a cheeky smile. “So you don’t forget to eat dinner?”

“Exactly.”

He didn’t move away, though, but kept his arms firmly around her and gazed at her longingly.

She trailed a hand down his torso until it landed at his belt. “Any chance dinner can wait?”

A smile spread over his face. His lips found hers again. A moment later he tugged her T-shirt over her head.

“Dinner can definitely wait.”