Sweet Southern Nights

“Is he married?”

Angela nodded. “Yes,” she confirmed after a pregnant pause.

“You need a date because you don’t want him to believe you’ve been pining away for him.”

She wanted to tell Levi that she hadn’t been pining away for Robert, since right after their canceled wedding she plunged back into the dating scene with a vengeance. It was only when she began writing in earnest that she’d slowed down so much that she hadn’t been on a date in months.

“I need you to dispel any idea he might have that I’m pining away for him since I’m still single.”

Levi’s expression remained impassive. “Are you single by choice?” he asked. His voice was barely above a whisper.

Angela angled her head, offering him a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Are you single by choice?” she asked, answering his question with one of her own.

“What makes you believe I’m single?” said Levi, asking her another question.

This time Angela’s smile spread over her face like bright rays of morning sun. “If you weren’t, or should I say if I were married to you, I doubt that I’d let you go away for six months without me. And I’d hope if you are married, you wouldn’t accept an invitation to escort other women.”

Levi leaned closer and gave her a prolonged stare. “Perhaps I’m more like your cheating ex than you think.”

She went completely still, as if she’d been hit by a bolt of lightning. A slow, uneasy panic seized Angela, making it virtually impossible for her to speak. Had Duncan told Levi the circumstances of her breakup with Robert even though he, along with everyone else in her family had sworn never to talk about it?

“What makes you think he cheated on me?”

“Did he, Angela?”

“Yes!” she spat out, annoyed that she’d allowed herself to dredge up the past. “Do you cheat on women?”

“No. And even if I were seeing someone, I still wouldn’t cheat. I didn’t mean to put you on the spot, but I need to know what I’ll be dealing with if we encounter your ex,” Levi said apologetically.

“His name is Robert Gaskin.”

He gave Angela a smile he usually reserved for his patients. “We’ll be ready for Mr. Gaskin,” he said confidently.

Angela noticed he’d said we. It was the first time a man, other than her father and brothers, had offered to protect her. It was too bad she wasn’t looking for a man in her life, because Dr. Levi Eaton would’ve been the perfect candidate.

The grandfather clock in a corner of the living room chimed the hour. It was seven o’clock. She stood up as Levi rose to his feet with her. “Please excuse me, but I have to check on dinner.”

“Do you need help?”

She glanced at him over her shoulder. “Do you cook?”

Levi winked at Angela. “I’ve been known to burn a few pots. Maybe next time we get together I’ll return the favor and cook for you.”

Angela stopped short, forcing Levi to bump into her. His hands went to her shoulders to steady her. He was close—close enough for her to feel his body heat, close enough to feel the whisper of his breath over her ear, and close enough to inhale the subtle masculine scent of his cologne.

“You want to go on another date?” Her query was a low husky whisper.

Levi’s gaze moved slowly over her face. “Why wouldn’t I? After all, you owe me one.”

She tilted her chin. “When will I have to pay up?”

“At my family reunion. We always get together over the Memorial Day weekend. This year it will be in Philadelphia.”

Angela shook her head. “You can’t just spring something like that on me at the last minute. I have a business to run.”

Levi dropped his hands. “What kind of business?”

“I operate a gift shop with my cousin in downtown Louisville.”

“Do you ever take a vacation?” he asked.

“Of course I do.”

“Do you have anything planned for that weekend?”

“My parents usually host a cookout that weekend.”

“Maybe we can work something out so that we’re able to attend both,” Levi suggested.

Angela’s smile reminded him of a high-wattage bulb. “Why don’t we wait until after the wedding to see if we can stand each other before we talk about a second date?”

“I’ll agree, but under one condition,” Levi said in a seductively deep voice.

Her smile faded. “What’s that?”

“Tell me how I can get a ticket to the Kentucky Derby.”

Angela waved her hand as if swatting away a fly. “That’s easy. You can come with me.”

Levi froze. “You’re kidding, aren’t you?”

“No, I’m not. Come, Levi. I have to take the chicken out of the oven before it’s as dry as sandpaper.”

A smile curved Levi’s strong mouth as he stared at the swaying hips of the woman who was as charming as she was intriguing. Duncan was right. There was nothing wrong with his sister—at least not on the surface.

Chapter 3

Angela breathed an audible sigh when she opened the wall oven door to find the large roast chicken had cooked to a perfect golden-brown. “Is it okay?” Levi said, standing behind her.

Smiling and moving to her left, she winked at him. “Take a look.”

“Hot damn! The girl can cook!”

“Bite your tongue! I don’t know what kind of women you’ve been hanging out with, but one thing I’ll readily admit is that yours truly can jam in the kitchen.”

Levi took a step, his chest only inches from Angela’s back. “The women I date usually don’t cook.”

“Don’t or can’t?” she asked.