“See you tonight.” Then with a wink, he was gone.

*   *   *   *   *

THAT NIGHT, MATT thought Penny should direct their date. He’d strong-armed his way into seeing her, but he needed her to come the rest of the way on her own. He’d let her choose the restaurant. It soon became clear it was the right decision because everything she suggested was loud and crazy. She clearly wasn’t angling for an intimate dinner where they could talk.

She needed distance.

“I could go for Italian food again. What do you think?” Penny smiled at him and he thought he’d be willing to eat almost anything if it kept that look on her face.

“Okay by me.”

They walked from the parking lot of the center down the street to the restaurant. Matt held the door open for her, and Penny walked up to the platinum-blond girl at the hostess stand.

“Two for nonsmoking please.”

“Sure, but it’s at least an hour wait. Is that okay?” The girl looked over at Matt and wet her lips. “You could wait at the bar. I’m sure we can provide something to distract you.”

Matt groaned internally as Penny turned to look at him. He really didn’t want to get caught at the bar, fending off advances from this barracuda.

“Actually, I think we’ll try the place next door. Thanks.” He grabbed Penny’s hand and pulled her outside into the cool air.

“Everywhere we go is probably going to be crowded,” Penny said finally.

“Probably, but at least they might not be staffed with man-eaters. She was looking at me like I was a steak and it was time for her last meal. No thanks.”

Penny shook her head but at least she smiled, finally. “You don’t have to pretend not to look. I’m not one of those insecure girls who expects you to develop temporary blindness just because we’re together. She was stunning.”

Matt pulled her against him. “She was obvious. Hair color from a bottle, boobs from a surgeon, and a face covered in paint. There wasn’t a real thing about her. Considering how hot I am for you, you should know by now that’s not my type.”

“What is your type, then?”

“Stern, bossy blondes who yell at me when I slack off.”

“Shut up. I’m encouraging you.”

“I know,” Matt replied. “It’s a little scary sometimes, but always hot. I keep having these fantasies of you hitting me with a ruler.”

Penny giggled. The sound did funny things to his chest. What he wouldn’t give for her to be this happy all the time. “That’s a hot-for-teacher fantasy. I think you’re confused.”

“It’s your fault. You’ve warped me so now I can only get hot for female authority figures. In fact, you might need to take me home and spank me right now.”

“Oh, no you don’t, buster. I’m starving and I need food. Come on.” Penny dragged him into two more places. They were all crowded.

“Let’s try this one.” Penny pulled open the door to the fourth restaurant they’d tried. It was almost eight o’clock and they hadn’t found a place yet with anything less than a forty-five-minute wait. He hung back near the doors while Penny walked up to the hostess stand. When the dark-haired girl shook her head, he groaned. By the time Penny walked back over to him, he couldn’t take it anymore.

“You know what? Why don’t we just keep it simple? Let’s go to the grocery store. I can cook. Some stuff, anyway.” Matt hoped he could find the ingredients to make either spaghetti or pizza since those were the only two things he knew how to make.

“You want to go to the grocery store with me?”

“Yeah. It’ll be fun. I can’t guarantee the results will be edible though.”

Penny didn’t say anything, just stood watching him with those impossibly blue eyes. He had a feeling she was coming to a decision about something. Courting her was like teasing a skittish animal out when it had been backed into a corner. He was scared to say anything or make any moves that would send her scampering in the other direction.

“We could go to my house. I mean, I have food.” Penny glanced down at her hands, then back up at him.

Matt recognized the gesture for what it was. An offering of trust. She was letting him into her life as more than just a temporary, casual thing. She was allowing him into her personal space.

“Sounds good to me.”

As soon as her back was turned, he pumped his fist in the air. Finally. Now he just had to show her how good things could be between them.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

THE RIDE TO Penny’s house was made in silence. In fact, she hadn’t said much since she’d extended the invitation. As much as he hated to do it, Matt had to give her an out. He wasn’t exactly a ladies’ man, but he’d never had to force a woman to spend time with him.

He wasn’t going to start now.

“We don’t have to do this, Penny. We can just grab some burgers or something and then head home. I’m sure you’re tired. You don’t have to entertain me.”

“No, I want to. It’s just been a long time since I’ve had a guy in my house other than Scott. It feels weird. Is it wrong that I feel that way?”

“The psychologist I saw after I got home from overseas always said that feelings aren’t wrong, only actions. We all have the right to however we feel. We should examine our feelings to see what they tell us.”