SEBRINA HEARD PARKER WHISTLING and butterflies erupted in her stomach. She turned around the moment he walked into the kitchen, so she didn’t have time to prepare for what she saw. She’d always thought he was handsome but at that moment, dressed in a pair of dark slacks and a buttoned-down shirt, he was striking.
His tapered slacks flowed down a pair of strong thighs and the shirt fit perfectly across the broadness of his shoulders. Intense male sexuality of him and touched her like a physical caress. She actually felt it. He’d obviously gotten his hair cut, but it was still long enough to touch the collar of his shirt and gave him a bad boy appearance.
Trying to shake her sudden stupor, she said, “You look nice, Parker. Going out for the evening?” She could bite off her tongue for asking him that, when it was obvious that he was.
“Yes, what about you? You look really good, too.”
“Thanks. And yes, I was going out. I’m a big Marvel fan and their new movie came out last week. This is the first chance I’ve had to see it. Kennedy was going with me, but her husband Haddison returned to town a day early.”
She watched him lean against the counter and wished her attention wasn’t drawn to the leanness of his hips. “Now isn’t that a coincidence. I’m headed to the movies, too. And I’m a die-hard Marvel fan. Did you want to join me?”
Sebrina loved hearing the sound of his voice. His words were always spoken in a deep, husky even tone that reminded her of warm honey flowing over one’s skin. Swallowing deeply, she said, “There’s no way I can go to the movies with you and your date.”
“That’s okay. I don’t have a date,” he said smiling.
She lifted a brow. “You were going to the movies alone?”
“Yes.”
“But…but why don’t you have a date?” Too late, she wished once again she could bite off her tongue. His lack of a date really wasn’t any of her business.
“I haven’t met anyone I want to take out. Besides, it can be hard to convince a woman to see an action movie.”
Sebrina had a feeling that any man whose photo was saved on several nurses’ cell phones would not have a problem getting a date, even if it was to see Godzilla. It would give them a reason for throwing themselves into his arms whenever a scary part came on.
“So, what about it, Sebrina? Want to go to the movies with me? And since we’re friends, we don’t even have to consider this a date.”
“What will it be, then?”
His smile widened. “An outing.”
She didn’t say anything for a minute, thinking about their conversation over breakfast. Would going to a movie with him tonight move her closer to ‘just friends’ territory? She hoped so.
“I’m game if you are.”
It took everything Parker possessed to keep a huge smile from taking over his face. He broke eye contact with Sebrina, not wanting her to see just how excited he was.
After glancing at his watch, he looked back at her. “Good.
If you’re ready, we can leave now. Have you eaten dinner? Did you want to stop somewhere before we get to the movies?”
She shook her head, causing her curls to fan her face. He liked the way she’d styled her hair tonight. “I haven’t eaten, but I’m fine. I tried some of that shrimp fried rice you cooked yesterday. I hope you don’t mind. It was delicious.”
“Thanks. And of course, I don’t mind. I told you that you’re welcome to anything I leave in the fridge.”
“Thanks.”
“I never had to worry about leftovers whenever Evan was around.”
“Evan?”
“Yes, Evan Maples. He’s been my best friend since college. We went to medical school together, and for years he was my roommate. Evan could barely boil water, so he had no problem with me doing the cooking.”
She studied his features a minute. “And you’re sure about this? Going to the movies together?”
“Positive.”
She smiled and nodded. “Then I’ll go get my wrap and purse.”
He watched her hurry off, but then she suddenly stopped at the door and looked back, nervously licking her lips. He held his breath, thinking she was about to tell him that she’d changed her mind. But then she turned back around and walked out of the kitchen.
Parker released the breath he’d been holding as he ran a hand through his hair. Licking her lips might have been a nervous gesture for her, but it had nearly undone him. Tonight would be important for both of them. They had to prove that they could do things together and remain nothing more than friends.
By next week, he would be back in the dating game, glad he had someone lined up already. Although to be honest, he was more excited about going out with Sebrina tonight than he was about a date next week with Gabby, the gabber.
“I’m ready, Parker.”
He turned. Not only had she grabbed a wrap and her purse, but she had also taken time to put on lipstick. The shade of red looked good, suiting her complexion. Hell, he thought she looked good, period. Her hair, her dress, her shoes. The entire package had his body wired as tight as a bow string.
Just friends…Just friends, he repeated to himself. He had to remember that, and somehow manage to keep all that sexual chemistry flowing between them at bay.
He would do it, even if it killed him.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
“I CAN’T BELIEVE THAT ending,” Sebrina said, glancing over at Parker on the drive back home. “Now we have to wait until the sequel to find out what happens next.”
“That’s usually how it works. They make you come back for more. But at least the sequel is already in production, so hopefully, we won’t have to wait more than a year to see it,” Parker replied.
“Let’s hope,” she said, already anxious to see the new movie. The anticipation was going to kill her.
She was glad Parker had invited her to go with him tonight. It had been fun. Sure, there had been some sexual tension between them—she had felt it more than a few times—but she thought they were getting some control over it. First, there was the drive to the theater. They both kept conversation going so they wouldn’t fall victim to the energy crackling between them. And then, there was the long line to get into the theater. Although it had moved quickly, more than once she had felt Parker’s body pressed against hers, causing her hormones to react. And when they’d picked up popcorn and drinks, their hands had accidentally touched. She had glanced over at him and had known he’d felt the same coiling desire she had. It had been obvious in the dark depths of his eyes.
But things had gotten better when they’d settled in their seats. They had been recliners and it hadn’t taken her long to get comfortable. Then once the movie began, she’d been caught up in the action. But still, she’d been very much aware of the man sitting beside her, the man who not only looked good but smelled good, too. Just sitting next to him in a dark theater was driving her crazy. She would glance over at him, but each time, his gaze was glued to the screen. That meant he was handling their chemistry—even if she wasn’t.
“It’s still early. What about if we grab something sweet.”