Seth moving away was the best thing about dating him. It was insurance against the relationship trap. She was safe with him. She could handle a playboy out for a fun time, especially since that was exactly what she wanted, too.

Tara tore her mind away from Seth. For something that was supposed to be uncomplicated, she sure thought about it a lot. She looked around the store where she’d come for a reason. What was it again? Oh, yes. Her favorite citrus-scented shampoo. How did she end up in the diaper section anyway?

She wound her way down the aisles until she reached the shampoo section and stopped short. Her mind’s constant companion was perusing the shelves. She was getting really good at conjuring him up. Her heart took off on a sprint, and she resisted the urge to fly into his arms. Was this how it was going to be every time she saw him?

As though sensing her presence, Seth lifted his head, and a slow, happy smile spread across his face. “Fancy meeting you here.”

“Run out of your athlete’s foot medicine, did you?” She arched her eyebrow, stamping down her answering smile.

Seth burst out laughing. He genuinely seemed to enjoy her sharp tongue. Was he a glutton for insults or something? “Actually, I ran out of shaving cream a couple days ago.”

“I can tell. I thought you had a five o’clock shadow yesterday, but you have the beginnings of a beard now.” Without thinking, Tara reached out and ran her hand down his rough cheek. “I kind of like it.”

“You do?” His eyebrows shot up. “Do you want me to grow it out?”

“It’s your face.” She backtracked, chiding herself for acting way too familiar. It didn’t matter what she liked. “Do what you want. It doesn’t affect me.”

“Well, it actually does.” He stepped toward her and spoke close to her ear, “Think about how it would feel against your thighs when I taste you.”

She gasped, and her hand fluttered to her chest. She actually freaking did that. Like some Victorian maiden. What the fuck. She cleared her throat loudly, planning to give him her best comeback. What came out was, “Um … abba … wha?”

“You don’t have to decide now.” He laughed quietly, his hot breath tickling her cheek. “I’ll grow it out for a couple more days while you mull over it.”

“I can’t believe … you don’t think … ugh.” She backed away from him so she could think and breathe. “The Ego.”

Seth shrugged happily and peeked at her basket. “Dark chocolate? Is that what you came in for?”

“No, I need some shampoo.” If she was honest with herself, the shampoo really was an excuse to come in for the chocolate.

Seth cocked his head to the side, intensely interested. “Which shampoo do you use?”

“Um, nothing fancy. Just a drugstore brand.” She glanced sideways and pointed to it. “This one.”

He promptly reached for a bottle, popped open the cap, and inhaled deeply. Then he glanced down at the shampoo with disappointment. “No, this isn’t it.”