She took his hand and crossed the threshold, shocked to find a neat and tidy home. In fact, it looked barely lived in with its distinct absence of accents, wall hangings, or rugs to cover the hardwood floors. In the living room, there was a sectional, one plush easy chair, a glass coffee table, and a television.

John caught her sweeping appraisal of his home. “I have to keep it like this,” he said. “It makes things easier to clean.”

“That’s smart,” she said with a nod. “Is that why you’re the only one on the block not celebrating Halloween?”

He chuckled. “If I put up decorations, they’d stay up until Christmas. I try to cut clutter in certain parts of my life.”

“Of course. That makes sense,” Victoria said as she reached out and touched his arm. “I was just hoping you didn’t hate Halloween or something.”

“Who could hate Halloween? It gets everyone pumped for the other holidays,” he said with a grin. “It’s the gateway drug of holidays.”

She couldn’t help but laugh at his analogy. “Maybe you’re right.”

“Should I give you the tour?” he asked. “That’s what people do, right? It’s the only reason to buy a house.”

Victoria glanced at her watch. “I’d like to take the tour later, but we have to get going.”

John’s brow creased in confusion. “You just got here.”

“I know, but I planned the whole day and if we don’t leave now, we’re going to be late to the first thing.” To prevent him from asking too many more questions, she stood on her tiptoes and gave him a quick kiss on the lips.

He held her in place, wrapping his strong arms around her waist. “You mean I got a kid out of the house and I can’t even have sex with you upon arrival?”

Victoria lowered her lashes. “Not now, I’m afraid.”

A low growl rose from his chest. “Then what good is a teen girl sleepover?”

With her body pressed against his, she was starting to reconsider her original plan in favor of a house tour if it meant starting with his bedroom. “It sounds like you’re still stuck on last week’s sordid affair. We’re trying it your way, remember?”

“Perhaps we can do both? Now?” John asked in a low voice before swooping down for another kiss. She melted under his lips and let out an involuntary moan as he tilted her head back for more. Before she could lose her head, Victoria planted her hands on his broad chest and gently pushed him back.

“That’s very tempting,” she breathed. “But you’re the one who promised hand-holding and first-date banter.”

She tried not to laugh at John’s pitiful expression. “Fine,” he said. “I’ll go.”

“I see you’ve picked up a few things from Becca.”