I Thee Bed...

She was enjoying the banter more than anything in a long time. The past months had been hectic and stressful, but shooting the breeze with Seth made her feel as if weights were being lifted from her shoulders. “You like annoying me?”

His dark eyes were sparkling now, catching the light of the candle. Reaching, he used a forefinger to brush away a lock of hair from her forehead. “Sure do.”

Suddenly, she felt breathless. “Mind telling me why?”

The finger settled on her temple for a split second, then trailed down her cheek before he playfully tapped the tip of her nose and released another low, throaty chuckle. “Because your skin gets flushed,” he began, his voice lowering a husky notch, “and I can see your pulse quickening, and I imagine your heart beating wildly, and your eyes starting to flash fire….”

She couldn’t help but burst out laughing. Usually, seeing a picture such as that in the Post would ruin her day, but tonight, sitting here flirting with Seth Bishop, it hardly seemed to matter. “You have a way with words. I take it I’ve discovered yet another of your talents, Seth.”

“Beyond?”

“Mixing and matching fabrics.”

He rolled his eyes, then bit down on his lower lip with two perfectly straight, gleaming white teeth. “Oh, Edie,” he returned, his eyes locking into hers, “I’ve got plenty of talents beyond what you’ve seen me do in your conference room.”

“You do make a perfect cup of coffee.”

“And so much more.”

She was still imagining what such a comment could mean when a waiter appeared, placing the sampler platter between them, and setting down two plates. Once the man had gone, Seth unwrapped paper from around his chopsticks, then expertly situated them between his fingers, lifted a piece of chicken and held it out, in front of Edie’s lips. So, he was going to feed her now? she thought, feeling a rush of excitement. For the past three days, her life had certainly started to get interesting, and she was glad that she’d opted for the restaurant, instead of taking him to her parents’ apartment. With her folks and Granny Ginny around, she’d never have an opportunity to get to know Seth. Who knew where this could lead?

“The food looks excellent,” he said.

“Because both my parents and I live on this street, we wind up eating here a lot. It’s always good.” Coming closer, she parted her lips and took the bite, feeling juicy tender meat explode inside her mouth. “It’s not the first time I’m glad I didn’t go the vegan route like my sister Marley,” she announced after she’d swallowed.

He winced, shooting her a sympathetic glance. “A vegan?”

“Only food. She hasn’t started wearing the shoes.”

He looked skeptical. “Shoes?”

“Haven’t you heard of that place called Moo Shoe in the East Village?”

“Nope.”

“Pleather goods.”

“Gotcha.”

Edie shrugged as he used the chopsticks to further fish around the platter, her throat tightening as his knee suddenly knocked hers under the table. It instantly corrected itself, pulled away, changed its mind, then found hers again, this time pressuring firmly. He had nice knees, too. Big and hard. More square than rounded. Even though there was nothing in her mouth at the moment, Edie swallowed, hard. Once more, she had a strong urge to simply proposition him. But how? She imagined herself just saying, “Do you want to go to bed.” But that sounded so, well, crass. Still, given the energy coursing between them, she didn’t think he’d be surprised. She was sure he’d say yes, too. “Well,” she amended. “After Marley’s divorce—she was married once—she fell off the wagon and started eating at McDonald’s.”

“Falling off the wagon usually pertains to drinking,” he said.

“Uh…Marley did some of that, too. Nothing dangerous,” she clarified, laughing. “Wine nights with the girls.”

“I take it you were one of the girls?”

She nodded. “Sure. But only because I was playing Good Samaritan, trying to help her get on her feet after the divorce.”

“Ah. Kind enough to drink fine Burgundy for a cause.”

“Of course. I’m the good twin.”

He didn’t look convinced. His eyes were saying that any woman as sexy as Edie probably wasn’t going to continue being good for long. Nothing could be further from the truth. “Marley was always the wild child,” she explained. “Boy crazy, wearing wild clothes, listening to loud music. Bridget’s the youngest. I think she always felt a little left out, because Marley and I were so focused on each other.” She shrugged, trying to turn her mind off the tingling sensation where their knees touched. “I guess I was always trying to show Marley up. Our relationship got pretty competitive when we were kids. So…”

“You dressed in button-down suits, read a lot and listened to classical music instead of rock and roll.”

“That’s about the size of it.”

“Surely some guy came along to loosen you up.”

She tried to mask her wistful expression, but couldn’t. Seth Bishop’s gaze was too probing, too perceptive, and his physical proximity was affecting her concentration. “Honestly?”

When he spoke, his voice had lost its playful edge, and it sounded smooth and soothing. “Yeah, honestly. I’d like to get to know you.”

Her shoulders rose and fell, and she blew out a long suffering sigh. “Some came around. But because I was more prim and proper, the guys usually wound up going for Marley.” Her smile broadened. “And well…you’ve met Marley.”

He returned the smile. “Tight spandex workout pants, visible sports bra under mesh T-shirts.”

“And there I was in my gray suits.”

He rolled his eyes. “You look good in them, and you know it.”

“Thanks. I was fishing for a compliment.”

“I’m good at taking bait.” He paused, his gaze suddenly dropping to the blouse she wore beneath her suit. “You know onlookers do get occasional glimpses of…uh, lace beneath.”

She grinned. “Really? I had absolutely no idea.”

“I’ll bet.”

“Regarding my uncheckered past,” she continued, her cheeks warming with the knowledge that he’d noticed her lace lingerie. “I did manage to make much better grades than Marley in high school.”

“Now that sounds fun.”

“A blast,” she assured.

“What about after high school?”

“Marley and I went to the same college. And my pattern of dateless nights continued.”

He shot her a mock doleful expression. “And now?”

Now she was determined to break out of the box, and while she felt compelled to say so, Seth Bishop was her employee. Oh, they’d nearly kissed in the conference room at Big Apple Brides less than an hour ago, and she’d thought of taking him straight upstairs to her apartment, but she knew it wasn’t wise to mix business and pleasure. She couldn’t help but blurt out, “We work together, Seth. Uh…I’m enjoying myself, but maybe the flirtation’s going a bit too far.”

His eyes widened slightly. “Hmm…we’ve worked together for three days.”

“Meaning?”