Evan shrugged his broad shoulders. “Not great. But I’ll get us home safely.”
His voice was so calm, so certain, that Randi relaxed. She doubted there was anything that Evan Sinclair wasn’t capable of doing well. She was glad she wasn’t driving. She could probably get through it, but she’d be white-knuckled for the whole drive. Bad weather rarely bothered her, but this was an epic blizzard, even for the East Coast. “I’m surprised that they actually plowed way out here.”
“They didn’t,” Evan answered. “We sent the Peninsula plow out before the SUV. You never would have made it into town. I can’t believe you were even going to attempt the drive.”
“I guess I forgot how bad the roads can get out here. It’s my first winter in the house since I went off to college.” Randi had moved back in with Joan last summer, giving up her small apartment in town to take care of her. “Joan needed help, and I couldn’t leave her alone anymore. She was forgetting to take her medications, and she wasn’t eating very well.”
“Your foster mother?” Evan questioned. “Hope told me she passed away not long ago.”
Randi nodded, even though Evan was focused on the road. “I miss her. I miss both my foster parents.” She buried her fingers in Lily’s fur, stroking the dog more to comfort herself than Lily.
“I’m sorry for your loss,” Evan said in a husky voice.
“Thanks,” she finally answered Evan’s expression of sympathy, not certain what to make of him at the moment. His comment was probably the nicest thing he’d ever said to her.
She stared at him in profile, unable to ignore his strong, capable fingers gripping the steering wheel and the rugged handsomeness of his features from a sideways view. He had a small amount of dark stubble on his jaw, but that only made him hotter, more approachable. Randi was willing to bet that the coat—identical to or the same as the one she’d spilled her coffee on—cost more than her monthly salary. But he somehow seemed . . . different today.
Why?
Even though the SUV was large, she could smell his masculine scent, and the fragrance made every female hormone in her body take notice. She’d always loved Evan’s essence, ever since the first time she’d had to stand beside him at Emily’s wedding.
He doesn’t seem like he has a stick up his ass today!
He was still arrogant, but he seemed more . . . relaxed. Her eyes traveled down his body, noting that he was actually dressed in a pair of jeans and was wearing boots instead of shoes. Granted, they looked like they were expensive black leather, but they were more casual, lace-up boots rather than his usual sleek, custom-made shoes. Those were gone today, as were his usual suit and tie. The whole package made him seem more . . . human, and eminently more touchable.
Randi was silent as Evan navigated the roads, not only to let him concentrate, but because desire was burning so fiercely in her gut that she couldn’t really even make conversation.
It had always been this way for her. She’d always wanted Evan Sinclair with a savage intensity that she constantly had to fight.
She didn’t understand it.
She didn’t like it.
However, it wouldn’t go away, even when Evan was being a complete ass—which had been almost constantly from the moment they’d first met.
It’s just physical. I haven’t gotten laid for a long time.
Truthfully, she hadn’t had sex with anybody since college. During the six years it had taken to get her master’s degree, she’d had some casual flings and a couple of boyfriends. Since returning to Amesport she hadn’t wanted to start a relationship unless she knew it could be something permanent. She’d had her wild days during college. She was yearning for something solid, something other than empty sex.
Establishing her career had come first, and once she had started tutoring and then caring for Joan, every minute of her day had been busy.
Randi rationalized that because it had been years since she’d had decent sex, it was perfectly normal to be attracted to Evan. He was definitely the hottest guy she’d ever seen.
Feeling more at ease after justifying the passionate urge she had to jump Evan’s bones, she sighed.
“Tired?” Evan asked curiously.
“No. Just glad we’re getting close to town.” Starting to see familiar territory, she realized they were on the edges of Amesport. “If you could drop me off at Hope’s place, I’d appreciate it. She offered to put me up.”
“I can’t drop you off there.” Evan dismissed her request patiently as he navigated toward the Peninsula.
Randi gaped at him. “Why?”
Evan was silent for a few moments before answering. “Because you’re staying with me.”
CHAPTER 7
Don’t panic. You can do this for a day or two. It isn’t a big deal.
Randi released a heavy breath as she watched Evan shuck his coat and scarf, getting an eyeful of what a perfect ass in a pair of jeans actually looked like. Holy shit! Evan Sinclair’s butt was a work of art, and his broad shoulders in the cream-colored fisherman’s sweater he was wearing seemed enormous.
He’s not that incredibly built. He’s not. He really isn’t.
Evan turned around suddenly, lifting a brow at her as he saw exactly what area her eyes were glued to. Jerking away her gaze that was now trained on his crotch, she actually blushed.
“I can’t do this,” she protested weakly . . . again.
She’d argued with Evan about staying with him at his place, but he’d serenely pointed out that Hope’s cat, Daisy, hated dogs. She’d forgotten about Daisy and just about everything else since Evan had picked her up. It was like her IQ score had taken a sudden hit, and she couldn’t think of anything intelligent to say when she was in Evan’s presence.