The Dating List Read online

  "Perfect!" She smiled in anticipation of the forbidden treat.

  "Coffee, too?"

  She nodded.

  Colin placed their order while Leah looked around. There weren't many people in the place and certainly no thirty-four-year-old women with twenty-nine-year-old men. She cast her gaze down as one man, obviously interest in her, gave her a curious stare. Glancing at the table, she saw Colin's cheerful face smiling at her. A mischievous gleam, youthful and full of fun lit up his eyes. She weakened. When was the last time I just had fun with a man?

  "Penny for your thoughts," he said as the waitress set down two mugs of steaming coffee.

  "Thinking how ridiculous a woman my age looks sitting here, like on a date, with a man your age," she blurted out, instantly regretting her honesty.

  "Really? I think we look cute together. You're so small, petite…who cares what other people think? A few years, what difference does that make?"

  "You don't care?"

  "I'm sitting here with the most gorgeous, elegant, talented woman in the place…no…in all of New York City. I'm the luckiest guy alive."

  At his compliment, the heat of pleasure rose in her cheeks.

  "You even blush beautifully. You're stunning, Leah. What man of any age wouldn't give a fortune to change places with me right now?"

  She looked down at her hands, fiddling with her cloth napkin as his fingers folded over hers. Her eyes looked up into his, noticing the dancing green flecks mixed with gold. Her resolve to treat Colin like a little brother melted along with the sugar she put in her coffee. The heat of his stare, his frank admiration broke through her first line of defense. He seems to be for real. When he raised her hand to his lips, she smiled.

  Their private moment was shattered when the waitress arrived, carrying their ice cream sundae piled high with a mountain of whipped cream. He scooped some onto the spoon and fed it to her. She did the same to him, giggling like a schoolgirl. Shut up conscience. I'm having fun. Go away.

  "How long are you staying?" she asked.

  "Just through New Year's. But I plan to come back in February."

  "For Valentine's Day?"

  "Of course. Love that holiday." His eyes glowed with naughtiness.

  So did I when Hank was alive. Feeling a momentary tightening in her chest, Leah dropped her gaze to her spoon. Colin frowned.

  "Did I say something?"

  "No, no. It's not you. Me…nothing to do with…do you come to New York often?"

  Colin's eyes searched hers but Leah had regained control, changing the subject, hiding a quick flash of pain behind a soft sigh.

  "Didn't used to. How come I never met you before?"

  "I'm Carrie's friend. I didn't know Grey before he met her."

  He nodded.

  "I'll be back more often now." He moved his hand closer to hers again.

  "Where do you live?"

  "Town called Pine Grove. Upstate."

  "Country boy. I like that." Leah shot a flirtatious smile at Colin. So he wants to come back? He's adorable.

  "I've spent time traveling and being in the City. I'm not naïve. Don't think I'm going to talk about cows all day…I have nothing to do with cows."

  "Sweetheart, don't go all defensive on me. I like country boys. Means they know how to do things…fix stuff…are big and strong. From what I saw this morning, I'd say you fit that bill."

  It was Colin's turn to blush.

  What are you doing? Leading this boy on like that!

  "Well, in that case, guess I'm happy to be considered country."

  A slow smile raised the corners of his mouth. His hand covered hers. Leah looked into his eyes. His sweet, sexy expression sent a chill racing up her spine. Time to go. She focused on the ice cream, eating as fast as she could without getting brain freeze. They ate in silence for a while. Warmth from him traveled across the table to her, making her completely aware of his presence. His heat seemed to melt the ice cream faster than usual causing her to chuckle to herself.

  "What's so funny?" He asked before putting a spoonful of the cold confection in his mouth.

  "Nothing." She shook her head.

  "Come on…give." His hand closed around her forearm.

  "You're so hot, you're melting the ice cream."

  He burst out laughing. "That heat's coming from you, honey."

  No one had called her honey, sweetie, or baby in such a long time. Her words caught in her throat for a second. She blinked back tears. Colin picked up on her stumble, his smile faded.

  "Is it all right for me to call you that?" He eased his hand off her.

  She nodded, afraid to trust her voice.

  "Whew! Good. For a minute there…"

  "It's fine…" She rested her hand on his for a few seconds.

  "I didn't mean to be overly familiar. Your eyes are the color of honey."

  "That's…lovely, Colin."

  He scooped up a spoonful of the melting ice cream and hot fudge sauce and poised it in front of her lips. She opened her mouth, keeping her gaze trained on his. They finished the rest of the ice cream in silence. Hot fudge sundaes were never like this before.

  When the waitress dropped off the check, Colin placed his hand over it to keep her from paying. She shot him a questioning glance.

  "It's the least I can do after your patience, outfitting me. Thank you, Leah for your time and expertise."

  "It was a pleasure." She meant every word but perhaps not in the way he'd expect.

  Once they reached the sidewalk, she was relieved to see the sun had broken through warming the air enough to be bearable. Colin looked right then left. Leah took his hand and directed him uptown.

  "It's not bad out. Shall we walk a bit? Walk off that sundae. Why'd I ever let you talk me into that?"

  He laughed.

  "I could see you wanted me to coax you."

  "Oh? All that from my expression yet you hardly know me?"

  "A situation I intend to fix…quickly." He smiled down at her and the heat of his stare warmed her right to her toes.

  "Tell me about your work," Leah said, redirecting the conversation.

  "I'm a high school gym teacher now, but I want to teach college."

  "Phys. Ed?"

  "Environmental Science. I have a Masters. I coach the wrestling team, too."

  "Hard to find a college teaching job nowadays, I'd guess."

  "There's an opening coming up at Kensington State next fall."

  "Have you applied?"

  He shook his head, directing his gaze on the sidewalk.

  "Why not?"

  "I don't have college teaching experience."

  "But you're a coach, too. Couldn't that help? Do they have wrestling at Kensington?"

  "That's the one hook I have. The dean there told me they want to start a wrestling team."

  "So why don't you apply? How many applicants have a Masters and coach wrestling?"

  "Never thought of it that way."

  "Well you should."

  "I don't know…" his voice trailed off.

  "I'll help you. Let's go to Nina and Clint's, where I'm staying. You need to do this before someone else gets there first."

  Leah broke from him, stepping into the street and raised her hand. She didn't have long to wait as a yellow cab pulled right up. Colin opened the door and they got in.

  "Central Park West at 77th Street," she said to the driver, then sat back against the seat.

  When they reached the luxury building, Colin got out of the cab first, offering his hand to Leah. They walked across the sidewalk wet with melted snow. She threw a dazzling smile at Lance, the chunky doorman as he held the door for them. Once in the apartment, Colin stopped at the door, his jaw hanging open. Leah tossed her sheepskin coat over the chair in the foyer, then she held out her hands for his coat.

  "I forget…people aren't used to this place. Coat. Come on. Give."

  He peeled off his coat and laid it across her outstretched arms.

 
"Is this your place?"

  "It belongs to my friends, Nina and Clint. They're upstate…somewhere in or near your little town, I think. They always go there for holidays and the summer. They invite me to stay. I water their plants and enjoy the city."

  "Where do you normally live?"

  Leah's face reddened.

  "I've been living with Carrie's' Aunt, Delia Tucker in Connecticut."

  "Not on your own?"

  "It's a long story. So I'm always happy to give Delia a rest from me and to have my own place for a little while. It's such a gorgeous apartment, isn't it?"

  "It's a friggin' palace!"

  "Come on, let's get started," she tugged on his arm. "I promise to take you on a tour after we're done."

  Leah pulled out a chair at the rectangular chrome and glass dining room table where she had her laptop set up. Colin plopped down in the chair next to her. For the next half hour they focused on Colin's resume and cover letter. When she was convinced it was the best it could be, Leah addressed it to Dean Mac Caldwell at Kensington State and hit the send button. Colin got up and stretched.

  "Thank you so much, Leah."

  "No biggie. I hope you get the job."

  "What about that tour you promised?" He leaned against the thick glass table.

  Leah stood up, stretched her hands over her head and smiled.

  "Right this way." She led him into the large, efficient kitchen with stainless steel everywhere complemented by warm wood cabinets and stunning granite countertops. The modern living room had a few small tables in chrome and glass. White couches and loveseats provided pristine but comfortable seating facing several large windows and a pair of French doors. Large, vivid, modern oil paintings hung on the wall, adding the only color in the room. The guest room, used for Clint's son and as a den was smaller, a quick stop. Leah opened the French doors to the large terrace overlooking Central Park.

  "It's too cold now to stay out here but in the other seasons, this is the most awesome part of the apartment."

  She pointed out sights to him both in the park and on Fifth Avenue until they started to shiver.

  "Hot chocolate?" Leah asked, wrapping her arms around her torso.

  Colin pulled on her arm.

  "Aren't you forgetting something?" He pointed toward a closed door down the hallway on the left.

  "Oh, yes," she replied, unsure if she wanted to be in that room with him. She threw open the door and Colin strolled in.

  "Wow, some bedroom!"

  He sat down on the king sized bed and bounced a little.

  "Pretty big for a woman your size. Do you sleep here alone?"

  Leah's eyebrows shot up. "That's a very personal question."

  "To a lady who had her hands in my pants today…I don't think so." His eyes twinkled, his lips curled up in a devilish grin.

  "I didn't have my hands…I was measuring the…uh…"

  "Well?" He cocked an eyebrow at her.

  "I'm sleeping here alone…if you must know." Embarrassment made color stain her face.

  "Good."

  "Oh?" She raised her eyebrows.

  Colin approached her, taking her gently into his arms.

  "Maybe I can fix that," he said, lowering his lips to hers.

  Chapter Three

  Before Leah knew what was happening, Colin had his arms around her. His lips toyed with hers for a moment before getting serious. The heat from his mouth zinged through her body, straight to her core. Tingles shot up and down her spine as his tongue swept across her bottom lip. She held her breath, her fingers closed over his wide shoulders as he slowly pressed his body against hers. After rising up on tiptoes, she parted her lips for his invasion. His tongue caressed hers and all thought fled from her mind. His fingers splayed on her back. A moan escaped from her and his hand slid down her back to rest on her hip pulling her closer, making her nipples harden.

  As quick as the assault happened, it stopped. Colin stepped back, his breathing ragged, his hands hung down in front, almost hiding his erection. His eyes glittered, darkening with desire. Wow.

  "I got carried away…I shouldn't have done…"

  Leah waved her hand at him, trying to catch her breath.

  "No problem…really." She licked her lower lip.

  "Please don't do that," he said.

  "Do what? Oh…sorry." Her eyelashes fluttered for a second.

  "I apologize. I shouldn't have taken advantage…guess being in the bedroom with you, I lost my head." He inched closer to her.

  "Don't apologize…it was…breathtaking," she whispered, closing her fingers over his forearm.

  "You're not mad?"

  She shook her head.

  "Well, then…"

  Leah blocked his attempt to kiss her again.

  "You don't know me very well. This is too fast even for me. I'm not a prude or anything but…"

  "I understand." He retreated, dropping his hand from her waist. "I find you fascinating…captivating…exciting…whatever the word is. I feel drawn to you like leaves to sunlight. Please excuse me. I don't usually behave like this even on a first date…which this isn't…even."

  She smiled at him. He means it.

  "I've never met a woman like you."

  "I'm nothing special…"

  "Are you kidding? You're the most special woman to come into my life…ever," he spoke softly, making her believe his words. I am?

  "Perhaps we should go to the living room." Leah opened the bedroom door.

  "Good idea. Good idea," he agreed, nodding.

  They stood by in awkward silence.

  "Are you going to come back to Grey's with me for dinner? Colin asked.

  "I was thinking of meeting you all at the restaurant. Can you call me?" She rested her hand on his forearm, briefly.

  "Of course."

  Colin tapped Leah's cell number into his phone. His eyebrows shot up. "Shit, look at the time! Six o'clock. Grey's going to be furious."

  Leah leaned over and glanced at his cell phone.

  "You were expected home? Aren't you over twenty-one?"

  "Yeah, but they have these dinner plans and he doesn't know where I am. He's a big brother, he worries."

  What a sweetie!

  "You run on home. The dinner reservation is for eight o'clock. Call me and tell me where we're going and I'll meet you there." Leah took Colin's coat out of the closet and held it for him to put on.

  "Thanks again for everything." He blushed. "I mean for helping with the clothes and all."

  "I know what you mean." She shot him a wicked grin.

  He leaned down and gave her a quick kiss then headed to the elevator. Leah watched him go, a grin refusing to leave her face. When the elevator ding'd and the door shut, an emptiness swept over her. Without Colin's large, cheerful, exuberant presence, the apartment seemed sterile and empty. She sighed as she headed to shower and change.

  ****

  Grey paced in front of the fireplace. He stopped to place another log on the fire to brighten the room as evening shadows crept in. He resumed striding to and fro, stopping only to glance at his watch.

  "Colin should have been back hours ago."

  "I'm sure he's fine," Carrie said as she arranged pink carnations with yellow and white mums. "What could happen to him? He's with Leah." Carrie slipped a slender lily into the vase.

  Grey snickered. "He could be in bed with her, that's what could happen."

  "Oh, stop." Carrie gave him a soft punch in the arm.

  "Look, just guessing here."

  "Isn't he a little young for her? She's thirty-four and he's twenty-nine, right?"

  "Maybe, but Colin has the Andrews charm. Women love him."

  "Oh? Andrews men wrote the book on charm?" Carrie cocked an eyebrow at him in mock anger.

  "Won you over, didn't I?" He moved closer to deliver a kiss.

  "You certainly did."

  "Dammit, wish he were home." Grey picked up the newspaper from the coffee table and plopped down on t
he sofa.

  Carrie put the last flowers in the vase and placed it on the counter. "I love when you bring me flowers in the winter. They're so damn cheerful. Reminds me what spring looks like."

  "You're as beautiful as spring," he said.

  She gestured to him. He stood up to accept her kiss then folded his newspaper before picking up half a corned beef sandwich and taking a bite.

  "You're right. Artie's does make the best corned beef," he said when he was done chewing. Grey sat on a stool at the counter next to Carrie while she cleaned up the cut stems and extra leaves. He leaned over, nibbling on her neck. "After I finish this sandwich, I'm gonna take a bite out of you."

  She grinned at him. "Is that a promise?"

  "You bet, baby."

  He put his arm around her shoulders and fingered the forest green velour sweatshirt that matched her pants. Grey's eyes scanned her body quickly. She leaned into his shoulder, placing her lips on his. They lingered in a sweet kiss.

  "Why are you worried?

  "Seriously, just hope Colin didn't do something stupid…"

  "Like?" She wiped the counter with a sponge then raised her gaze to his.

  "Like making a pass at Leah or something."

  "He wouldn't, would he?" Carrie raised her eyebrows.

  "Didn't you see him stumble all over himself?"

  "Yeah, so he was a little impressed by her…" She began to unload the dishwasher.

  "Not impressed, hot for her. He practically had a boner."

  Carrie laughed. "Come on. Leah is much older than he is and so much more sophisticated. She's been dating big Wall Street guys…she'd never be interested…"

  "You know that, I know that but Colin doesn't. He's looking for a woman, not a girl and Leah fits the bill perfectly."

  "She'll let him down easy…she won't break his heart." She paused holding a clean platter to look at Grey.

  "Unless he does something stupid." He took the platter from her and returned it to its place on a high shelf.

  "Like what?" Carrie asked.

  His lips rose in a mischievous grin. "Like this!"

  Grey picked her up in his arms and swooped up the stairs. He raced through the hall, into their bedroom, shutting the door with his foot before dropping her on the bed. Carrie laughed until she almost couldn't breathe. He fell down next to her on the bed.