She studied him. Griffin had given her a mini pep talk as well, and she knew that the other investors in the group were confident in her capabilities. But there was something about Zeke believing in her that hit her differently.
Maybe it was because he didn’t actually know what he was talking about. Or because he didn’t know her. He didn’t really know her credentials and even if he did, they wouldn’t necessarily mean anything to him. The investors in the group knew her experience and education level. So did Griffin. And Griffin knew her history with penguins and her work ethic and her enthusiasm from being up close and around her in a work environment for a year.
Zeke didn’t know any of that. He just knew what he’d seen so far. Either he was a little naïve and incredibly trusting, or he was trying to make her feel better. Either way, it was sweet. And it was making her feel better.
“Thank you for that.”
“Anytime. Again, I don’t know anything about penguins except they’re cool as fuck. But I do know that beautiful women who are enthusiastic about doing good in the world are hot as hell.”
She laughed softly. “You run into a lot of those?”
“Surprisingly, several here in Autre.” He gave her a grin. “There’s Tori, and Charlie has gotten all enthusiastic now. Jordan is really into the petting zoo, and how alpacas and other animals can help kids learn about disabilities and grief and depression and anxiety.”
Jill felt her eyebrows rise. “Really?” That sounded incredibly interesting.
“Yep. And then there’s Fiona. She gets excited about anything with four legs, fur, feathers, or fins. They’re all beautiful women, of course, but I’ve definitely seen how much more gorgeous they all are when they get enthusiastic about these projects.”
He tipped his head studying her face. “You’re definitely no exception. Last night I was incredibly attracted to you and we had one of the hottest nights I can ever remember. But today, finding out all of the stuff you’re into and all of the things you do, watching you light up when you talk about penguins, and even watching you worry about this program, has made me want you even more.”
Jill’s heart thumped against her chest wall and her stomach clenched. But she couldn’t tell for sure if it was panic over that declaration or if it was excitement.
“You better watch yourself,” she told him. “I don’t want to break your heart.”
“I appreciate that.”
“I’m really not looking for a relationship,” she felt compelled to say. “But I think we can definitely be friends.”
“You know, I don’t actually get the ‘I hope we can still be friends’ speech very often,” he told her.
“Really? They don’t want to be your friend after?”
“Sometimes they want more and when they can’t get it, they get riled.”
She gave a little snort. “Riled?”
“It makes it awkward in church when a girl I’ve known my whole life goes from bein’ friendly to bein’ snooty in one week. And my mom always knows why.”
She outright laughed at that. “And what’s your mom say about that?”
“Something like she says about everything I do. Last time she closed her eyes, shook her head, and said, ‘Probably a madam in an Old West saloon’.”
“What’s that mean?” But Jill felt herself already grinning over the explanation that was coming.
“She figures she did something bad in a previous life to deserve the shenanigans of me and my brothers. Nothing too terrible. We’re not that bad. But something sinful she’s being punished for.”
Jill snorted. “Your mom believes in reincarnation?”
“She’s decided it’s the only explanation.”
Jill liked him. Dammit. She liked Dan, of course. But she liked him because he gave her exactly what she wanted. No strings attached, hot sex, no clinginess. Zeke on the other hand, was giving her a few things she was pretty sure she did not want. Like the temptation to know his family better. And the urge to spend more time with him.
And she still definitely liked him.
“Okay, then.” He rubbed his hands down the thighs of his jeans and stretched to his feet. “I need to get to another project today. Do we have your rocks where you want ’em?”
She looked around the enclosure as she straightened. “Yes. They look good.”
“Great.”
“You have another project?” she asked.
“I actually have a house here in town to be workin’ on too, but the owner won’t tell me what she wants.”
“Ugh. I get it. But, you’ll be happy to know I’ve turned it over to my friend from back home. She’s great. She’ll answer all your questions.”
“Well, hallelujah,” he said. “As long as she tells me what you want.”
“I don’t care abou—”
He covered her lips with one big index finger. “Don’t,” he said simply.
She blew out a breath.
He moved his finger.
“Fine. Yes. She knows what I like.” She had no idea if Cori actually knew her tastes. Jill didn’t really have tastes. So, actually, whatever Cori picked would be Jill’s taste, she supposed. “Whatever she says has my stamp of approval.”
He nodded, but looked skeptical. “Fine. But your house is gonna have to wait a week or two now.”
“What?”
“I started another project a town over. Helping a buddy with their new community center.”
“But my house…”
“You got bumped down the list when you didn’t answer my emails, Kansas,” he told her with an unapologetic grin.
Well, dammit. She supposed she deserved that.
“Besides, you don’t care where you live right?”
“I guess I was just hoping to catch you shirtless and sweaty with a toolbelt around your hips.”
Now see, she should not have said that. Why had she said that? His eyes heated and he stepped in close.
“I’ll bring my toolbelt over to your place any time you want.”
Yeah, she wanted.
Crap.
“But you can use my fridge until we get you one.”
She blinked at the sudden shift in topic.
“Oh. Thanks, that’s really nice.”
“Back door will always be unlocked.”
“Okay.”
“But I want to pet your penguins in exchange.”
She gave a soft snort. “Is that innuendo?”
He grinned. “No. I actually want to pet the penguins. Is that possible?”
Damn, she kind of wanted him to flirt with her. But she nodded. “It is possible.”
“Awesome. How about for every day you have stuff in my fridge I get twenty minutes of penguin petting?”
“I think that can be arranged.”
Suddenly he stepped forward, reached up to cup the back of her head, and pulled her in and kissed her.
It was partly because she was surprised by the gesture that she didn’t respond right away, and by the time she was leaning in and opening her mouth, he was already lifting his head. But he smiled down at her. “I’m glad I got to see you again. And if you find one of my socks in your motel room later—”