Deciding I couldn’t procrastinate any longer, I headed out to see if Cannon was ready too. I found him standing in the kitchen, loading a plate and a glass into the dishwasher.
He was bent at the waist, and my eyes zeroed in on his firm ass. Holy shit. The man had the body of a Greek god. The air left my lungs as I drank in the view. Yep, it had been entirely too long since I’d gotten laid.
As he rose to face me, a slow smile spread across his lips. I’d been caught. I quickly looked away, but the damage was done.
“Ready?” I asked, breathless.
Cannon looked scrumptious in a black suit, crisp white dress shirt that was fitted enough to hint at the muscle beneath, and a wine-colored tie. His hair was messy and his jaw held a dusting of a shadow. His body was so masculine, so heavy with the promise of sex, that it drew mine like a magnet.
Rather than answer, Cannon’s smile faded and his gaze slipped from mine. My body heated under his perusal as his gaze drifted over the swell of my breasts, the curve of my hips. If it was possible to spontaneously combust under the weight of his stare, I was about to find out.
“Get a good look?” I finally managed to say, scolding him.
“Did you?” he asked, his voice much too controlled. “Shall I spin around for you? Maybe get naked again?” He chuckled after that last part, and I felt my face heat.
Yes, unfortunately, I’d already seen what was underneath his clothes—a six-pack of abs, and a large hoo-ha between his legs. Like that was a memory I’d soon forget.
Placing one hand on my hip, I fought for control of my body’s reaction to his incredibly masculine one. “Aren’t doctors supposed to have more . . .” My lips twitched, looking for the right word.
“Bedside manner?” he offered after a moment.
“Tact,” I deadpanned before my brain could fixate too much on the way he said bed.
The knock at the door grabbed our attention. Allie was here.
Thank freaking God. I snatched my postage-stamp-sized purse from the counter on my way to the front door.
“Are you guys ready?” Allie asked, looking adorable in a black shift dress.
Cannon stepped into his size 12 black dress shoes and slipped his cell into his pocket. The movement drew my eyes to the front of his dress slacks, and my face heated.
Dammit.
Allie drove since she was the one who invited us. When we arrived, the valet whisked her car away while we climbed the steps to the stunning museum where the event was being held. I’d only been here once, on a class field trip almost two decades ago.
Tail-coated waiters weaved through the crowd, balancing glasses of pink champagne on serving trays, and platters of enticing food lined the long banquet tables on the far side of the room. A seven-piece band played soft jazz, creating a rich, cultured atmosphere. Pretty people mingled and laughed and made small talk. I recognized the song playing as one by Dean Martin, and smiled as Allie flagged down a nearby waiter, grabbing glasses of bubbly for the three of us.
“How’s it going so far, roomies?” Allie smiled, looking between me and her brother.
I swallowed a sudden lump in my throat. “Fine,” I lied. I was terrified my face was going to betray my growing attraction for the man who was currently standing way too fucking close to me.
“Paige has been great,” Cannon said smoothly. “Very welcoming.”
“There’s not many people I’d trust to take in my little brother,” Allie said.
“You do realize I’m a grown man?” Cannon asked pointedly.
Allie merely shrugged. She’d always been that way with him—an overprotective mother hen. In a way, I felt a little bad for him, although her intentions were good.
“Did you sign up yet?” Allie nudged me with her elbow and gave me a side-eyed glance.
Not this shit again. I inwardly groaned. If she was so happy with her love life, why did she feel the need to try to orchestrate mine?
“Not yet,” I murmured, taking another sip of my drink. My gaze drifted to the stage as I tried to lose myself in the music.
“What are you talking about?” Cannon asked.
“An awesome dating app. I’m trying to get Paige back out in the game.”
Cannon stiffened, his narrowed eyes finding mine in an appraising look, as if there was something he didn’t like about the idea of me dating.
“I mean, she’s gorgeous. Right, Cannon?” Allie asked.
“Stunning,” he said, continuing to stare directly into my eyes. That sizzling connection I’d experienced before returned with full force, making the nape of my neck tingle. His attention was too much, and I had to look away.
“Seriously, Paige,” Allie continued. “Your days of being a nun are over. I’m not going to stop until you’ve signed up.”
“You’ve never bugged me about this,” Cannon said.
“That’s because if you started dating seriously, I’d have something to say about that. You’re so close to completing med school, Cannon. You’ve made it this far; any distractions now would just be stupid. Especially given your track record.”