He appeared at the doorway and halted. He cocked his head to one side, his expression serious.
"What's wrong?" he asked. "Did something happen?"
Jensen edged in front of Katherine, shielding her flushed face from Tim's view. "Nothing, son," he said. "I was just saying goodbye to your mom"
The muscles shifting on his back mesmerized Katherine. She forced her dry tongue to move. "Go back to your room, Tim. I will be there real soon"
"Okay. Bye Jensen." Tim said and ran back to his room.
After Tim left, Jensen turned back to Katherine. His smoldering gaze brought a flush to Katherine's entire body. The flat of his hand chafed the stubble on his jaw. "I love how you erupt when I touch you," he said simply.
Katherine could not meet his stare. "You should go now," she said. His maleness was still evident through his trousers. He followed her gaze and grinned at her.
"Good night, Kat," he said. He swiftly snagged his jacket, snapped on Rufus' leash and moved toward the door.
"Good night, Jensen," Katherine replied. She followed him and shut the door behind them.
Then she could breathe again, once he wasn’t taking up all the oxygen in the whole house. She rested her head on the door.
Damn ....The man could kiss. She thought.
---------------------------
“So. I saw Jensen Packard leaving your house last night” Delia teased her daughter the next morning, after Tim had gone to school.
Katherine felt her face turn bright red as her mouth dropped open. She hadn’t actually planned for this, on top of a night spent tossing and turning, and full of dreams of Jensen kissing her—kissing her, touching her, making love to her, dear God.
It hadn’t occurred to her that someone... Or worse, her parents would see him coming or going....especially her mom. And draw conclusions. It was even worse because she knew her mom wanted her to be with Jensen.
“Um. Yeah,” Katherine said, her recovery slow and awkward, but still... “He just stopped in to see Tim. Tim has been making a fuss about his dog and all” She busied herself with cleaning up the breakfast things and wished Tim hadn’t gone to school yet.
Her mother made a noise in her throat that could have meant anything. “Okay.” said.
“Mom—” Katherine started, but her mother stopped her, holding up a hand. “I know, Kathy. I won’t say anything. Well, that’s not true,” she amended, and Katherine had to smile. “I’ll say he is a great guy....always has been. And I know you could use a great guy in your life.”
Katherine's smile faded. “I agree that having a good man is all right. But Tim and I are also fine just how we are.”
Delia didn’t push it, but her look said volumes. “Are you?” she asked.
Katherine nodded. Of course they were. She’d worked very hard to be sure they were. It was her main priority.
"Well, that's good to know," said. "But just so you know... your father agrees with me"
Katherine almost dropped the cup she was holding. She stared wide eyed at her mother. "You talked to Dad about this?" she asked.
"Oh, don't be a baby," her mother replied. "You are a grown woman. But actually, he brought it up himself. It's not a secret that you had such a huge crush on Jensen when you were kids. You guys were so close, I honestly thought you would end up together. But then you left. You know your father always liked Jensen too. Jensen loves his family, wants to be close to them always... Just like your father. And I think it's great that he values family. We just think it would be good if you guys.... You know "
She gave Katherine a look she would be blind not to understand. Katherine understood and her face became redder—If that was possible.
"Oh Mom," she said. "Please stop. Well, since you are here and we are on the topic, I was wondering if Tim could stay with you and dad tomorrow night"
"If I asked why, would you tell me?" Delia asked
"Would you make a big deal about it?"
"You know I make a big deal about everything," Delia said. "So just tell me"
Katherine sighed and rolled her eyes. But she couldn't help smiling. "Fine, Mom. I'm going out with Jensen...." Her mother's eyes widened.
".....And before you start to overreact and start planning our wedding or how many more grandchildren you are going to have" Katherine continued. "I want to know that it's just one date. No big deal right now.... So please... stop looking like that Mom"
"Fine," her mother said. "I won't say anything" but it was obvious she wanted to.
"So can Tim come stay with you tomorrow?" Katherine asked again, trying so hard not to laugh at the look on her mother's face.
"Yes of course. Tim can come stay anytime" said. "By the way, Jon called yesterday. He and Kate will be back this weekend"
-----------------------------
Katherine was mixing the batter for some cupcakes when the lift doors opened and Jensen walked in. Behind her silence fell, and she knew without turning around that most eyes would be on him. That the female ones would widen, then linger far longer than was necessary. And because she didn’t want to confirm and fight another wily jealous monster, she turned around and kept her eyes on him. Watched him nod a greeting at the crew before fixing his eyes on her.
He was dressed casually in a simple polo shirt and dark chinos. With his collar upturned and his hair windswept, he looked positively rakish.
"Hey, you." he said.
This time Katherine's heart skipped twice as many beats. And when he reached her and she caught a whiff of his aftershave, different parts of her body came to rude, vital life. It took an effort or three to drag her gaze from the twinkle in his dark eyes.
"Hey, yourself." she replied. "Give me a few minutes to finish with these and I’ll be with you, okay?"
His gaze dropped to the batter in front of her.
"Want some help with that?" he asked.