Her mouth was the most kissable he had ever encountered and her skin the softest he had felt. Even her hair suited her to perfection. He half smiled in appreciation as he eyed her elegant topknot. Tendrils had escaped to curl with fiery abandon about her temples and the nape of her neck.
And that's when he saw beneath the surface. Her hairstyle mirrored her nature, he suddenly realized. She struggled to attain the appearance of severity and restraint, but couldn't quite achieve it.
Equally, she fought an unending battle between the tempestuous aspects of her nature and the need for rigid control. On the surface, she appeared perfectly composed. But underneath smoldered an inferno that probably terrified her, that threatened the calm, orderly existence she'd built.
With new insight, he looked at her again. And in the end it was those soft eyes that gave her away—betraying her uncertainty, her desperation, her passion, as well as her unwavering strength and determination.
He wanted this woman. He always had. Though he had realized it real late. But she was here now. And he sure as hell wasn't going to let her go this time.
He wanted to feed those sparks of inner rebellion, to release the delicious fire she kept tamped inside and to be scorched by the heat of it. Keeping all those emotions bottled up couldn't be good for her, and he decided then and there to find a way to demolish her control. Hell, he'd probably be doing her a favor.
In the meantime, he had to find a way to alleviate her fears. As though in response to his thought, her scent drifted to him.
"I'm fine, Jensen," Katherine said. "I'm sorry if I was rude before... I'm really grateful for your help.. I really am"
"Look, Katherine," he began. But just then they were interrupted by Tim.
"Mom, isn't the food ready?. I'm hungry."
"Oh it is," Katherine said. "I will bring it to you in a minute, dear"
Tim's feet were planted on the floor. "Are you okay, Mom?" he asked. "You look hot, and mad, and.... something"
Katherine sighed. "I'm fine Tim"
"Is Jensen staying? " he asked.
"No, kiddo, " Jensen replied."Not today. I was just saying good bye. I will see you later"
"Alright" Tim said as he left the kitchen. "Bye Jensen".
"I guess I better leave now," Jensen said. "I left my car at your dad's house"
"Thanks for your help again, Jensen," Katherine said.
"It's fine, Kat. I'm glad I could help" he said. "But before I leave... I have something to ask you"
"Yeah?"
"Remember when I told you I had ulterior motives?" he asked.
"Yeah" Katherine said, lifting an eyebrow and looking puzzled. Jensen smiled.
"The official opening of Crimson Bay," he said. "I want you to go with me... As my date".
Katherine stared at him wide eyed. "Oh... I'm sorry, Jensen.. But I don't think that's a good idea".
"Why not?" he asked.
"I... I don't know, Jensen. I don't have to explain this to you".
"Yeah you don't" he said. "Because there is nothing to explain. Remember when I helped you move in and you said you owed me?....Well, I decided to collect".
Katherine couldn't help her smile. "That's not fair, Jensen and you know it".
He shrugged, feigning innocence. "Gotta do what I gotta do, baby," he said. And after giving her a peck on her cheek, he was gone.
—————————————
It was Monday evening.
Katherine dropped Tim at her parents house and got into her car.
She hadn't really thought about what she was doing till she was on her way to his house — Jensen's house.
She stared at the box on her passenger seat. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. She thought. Maybe she should have waited for him to come to the store and then given it to him then. Going to his house seemed so... personal.
She pushed the thoughts out of her mind. She would just give him the box and leave. It wasn't such a big deal.
Soon she was parked in Jensen's driveway, trying to muster her nerve to get out of the car. Was he even home? Stupidly she hadn't even called him.
She got out of the car, carried the box with her, rang the doorbell and waited. Seconds passed, and she rang again just to be sure he had heard. Then she breathed a sigh of relief to hear footsteps from inside the house.
When the door opened, Jensen was standing on the other side, his hair disheveled and his chest bare.
"I'm sorry, did I interrupt something?" she asked, feeling foolish for not considering the possibility that he had someone with him. "Sorry I didn't call," she said hastily. "I should have... Maybe I will just see you....."
"It's fine, Kat." he said. "You didn't interrupt anything. Please come in"
"Thanks," Katherine said as she walked in. "Your place is nice," she said.
"Thanks. I gotta say I'm surprised to see you." he said, then there was concern in his eyes. "Is everything okay, Kat?"
"Yeah. Yeah. There's no problem. Everything is fine. Ermm, actually, I just came to give you this" she said, giving him the box. "It's a thank you for helping me move in and helping with the lawn too. I want you to know that I am grateful"
Jensen opened the box and smiled. "Cupcakes... Just like before" he said and Katherine nodded. "I'm really going to enjoy eating these".
Katherine laughed.
"You didn't have to, Kat," he said. "But I'm glad you brought them. Thanks"
"You are welcome".
He took one of the cookies and bit into it. "Hmmmm... Damn" he said, closing his eyes. His tongue moistened his lower lip, and for some seconds Katherine was jealous of that cookie. "This tastes good. Just like I remember, maybe even better."
"Wow," Katherine said playfully. "Maybe you and that cookie should get a room"
"Maybe you and I should," Jensen said.
He watched her reaction with amusement. An indulgent smile spread across his face.
Katherine stared at him. His dark, compelling gaze held her captive. Shocked by the intensity of feelings that washed through her body, she felt suddenly dizzy.
"Can I get you something to drink?" he asked.
The sudden appearance of a large, shaggy and exuberant dog effectively sent all thoughts flying. In a blur of noise and motion, the dog bounded up to greet her, and she staggered backward under its assault.
Paws on her shoulders, eyes level with her own, the dog panted happily in her face. With a grin, she returned it to all four feet and bent to pat its head. Then she looked up at Jensen.