New and…Improved? & Andrew in Excess by Jill Shalvis

turning stench of the can. “I’m okay.”
    â€œYou’re sure?”
    â€œUnless I have to keep breathing this air down here.”
    He pulled back a little, peering into her face with understandable wariness. “You’re not still nauseous?”
    She shook her head. “And I was really hoping last night was just a bad dream.”
    â€œSo were my shoes.”
    Wincing, she said, “I’m so sorry. I’ve never done that before.”
    â€œIf it makes you feel any better, sushi doesn’t agree with me, either.”
    She smiled and his gaze followed the movements of her lips for one long moment before he let her go. Then he picked up a brown bag he must have dropped on the bench.
    She recognized the slogan and her mouth watered in response. “Donuts,” she whispered reverently.
    â€œGot an extra jelly roll in here.” He watched as she opened the bag and dug right in. “So what’s the next…?” When he trailed off, she glanced up, mouth full, hands covered in powered sugar. Embarrassed, she licked her lips and Kent’s eyes glazed over.
    She nearly choked when she realized he was getting turned on by watching her eat. The power of it, the sheer delight in being able to render him speechless was amazing. Feeling a bit wicked now, she licked her lips again.
    A strangled sort of sound escaped from deep in his throat.
    She bit back her grin as renewed hope surged. “What’s the next what?”
    He shook his head as if to clear it and looked purposely away from her mouth. “What’s the next adventure?”
    You, she almost said. “Something warm with no food.”
    â€œGood. Something safe.”
    â€œDidn’t say that.” She swallowed her last bite and dusted off the sugar. “I was thinking rock climbing.”
    â€œRock climbing,” he repeated. “You ever been?”
    â€œNope.”
    He groaned. “How did I know you were going to say that? Look Becca, you really have to know what you’re doing for that particular sport.”
    â€œDon’t worry, I’m a quick learner.”
    â€œI thought heights disagreed with you. Remember parasailing?”
    â€œIt was the cold water that disagreed with me.”
    He stared at her, then sighed. “All right, fine. Be stubborn, that’s nothing new. Rock climbing. I’ll pick you up at six. We’ll go to The Wall at Squaw Valley.”
    â€œ You know how to rock climb?”
    He looked grumpy. “Just said so, didn’t I?”
    â€œActually, no you didn’t.”
    â€œYeah, I know what I’m doing. Good thing too, because someone has to follow you around and make sure you don’t kill yourself.”
    Is that all he was doing? “I’ll be fine,” she said stiffly. “I don’t need a keeper.”
    â€œIt’s not for you, it’s for me.” He looked mightily unhappy. “I won’t be able to sleep unless I know you didn’t hurt yourself.”
    â€œWell gee, when you put it that way. Oh, please come.”
    â€œSix o’clock,” he repeated. “Dinner afterward.”
    Her heart stopped. “Dinner. As in…a date?”
    â€œYou wanted adventure.” His dark eyes were clear, full of an intriguing mix of annoyance and temper. “Unless you got it all out of your system?”
    The way he was looking at her made her legs quiver. “Oh no, not yet.”
    â€œNo Dennis this time, and definitely I pick the restaurant.”
    A date with Kent. It was her greatest fantasy. Okay, not quite her greatest—her greatest involved him and her, silk sheets and a moonlit bedroom, but this was close enough.
    Suddenly he reached out and cupped her face. The touch startled her, warmed her. Aroused her. His thumb slid over her lower lip, arousing her all the more. “Powdered sugar,” he whispered. “You still have a speck…right here.”
    Long