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asked yet another question to which he knew the answer.
    Celia stopped, turned and stared up the man who made her feel something she didn’t want to feel: desire. Although she’d found herself in love with Yale and planned to marry him, he never evoked the all-consuming desire she felt whenever she and Gavin Faulkner occupied the same space.
    The tall man standing in the middle of her kitchen wearing jeans, a navy blue golf shirt with a familiar designer’s logo over his heart and a pair of low-heeled boots gave off waves of sensuality that threatened to smother her with its intensity. He’d removed the stubble,and the strong line of his lean jaw made him even more attractive.
    “I don’t live here year-round.”
    “You live in Florida.” The query was a statement. “Your truck has Florida plates,” Gavin explained when her eyes grew wider.
    “Miami,” Celia confirmed. She’d given Miami the Spanish inflection, it sounding like Me-a-me.
    Gavin smiled. “You speak Spanish?”
    Celia’s smile matched his. “ Sí. I have Cuban roots that go back to my great-grandmother.”
    “Every time I go to Miami I put on at least five pounds because I can’t stop eating the food,” he admitted.
    “Maybe I’m biased, but I believe Caribbean cuisine is superior to any other in the world.”
    Gavin’s expression changed, vertical lines appearing between his eyes when he gave her a level frown. “I wouldn’t exactly say that,” he countered.
    “Tell me what’s better than Caribbean cuisine, Gavin?”
    He registered the slight reproach in her tone. “Southern cooking. Have you ever had North Carolina-style barbecue pulled pork?”
    “No. But I bet it’s not as good as—”
    “Don’t say it, Celia,” he said, holding up a hand and interrupting her. “We’ll have a cook-off, and you can prepare your best Cuban dish while I’ll make the pulled pork.”
    Celia’s eyes narrowed as she considered his challenge. “Bring it, brother.”
    Gavin winked. “You just don’t know what you’re in for, beautiful. I hope you’re not a sore loser.”
    Celia returned the wink. “I wouldn’t know because I’ve never lost a challenge. Speaking of barbecue, myneighbor invited me to her house on Saturday to celebrate the holiday. If you’re not doing anything, I’d like you to come with me.”
    Crossing muscular arms over his chest, Gavin angled his head. “Are you asking me out on a date?”
    Celia bit her lip, dimples deepening with the gesture as a flush suffused her face. Her embarrassment was short-lived. “What’s the matter? You’ve never been asked out by a woman?”
    “I’ve been propositioned a few times, but I’ve never been asked out.”
    “Well, don’t look for me to proposition you, Mr. Faulkner. If you’re not coming with me, then please let me know so—”
    “The answer is yes, Miss Thomas.” Gavin agreeing to go with Celia had nothing to do with his mission. He’d agreed because he wanted to spend time with her. Accompanying her would also permit him to pick up bits of gossip from the area residents. “May I ask one question?”
    “Sure.”
    “Why did you ask me and not some other guy?”
    There came another pause as Celia pondered his query. “I asked you because I don’t want to be bothered with some other guy.”
    Gavin’s expressive eyebrows lifted a fraction. “So, you want to use me to run interference?”
    “Yes.”
    He shook his head. “Damn, Doc, you really know how to bruise a dude’s ego.”
    Celia rolled her eyes upward. “My heart bleeds for you, Gavin. I’m willing to bet a year’s salary that every second there are at least a hundred dudes somewhere in the world using women for their own selfish reasons.”
    Gavin sobered. “I’ve never used a woman.”
    “Maybe not you, but I’ve been a victim on a few occasions.”
    “Do you like…men?” he asked hesitantly.
    “Of course I like men. I was engaged…” Celia’s words trailed off before she could tell