Kyle smiled warmly at the banter with his old friend and former lover – especially the idea of her wearing Daisy Dukes.<br/><br/>“Please do wear them around here anytime you like as long as the subcontractors aren’t around. You’ll stop work on the house otherwise,” he added in a genuine compliment. In truth many construction companies were making sincere efforts to create more diverse and less sexist workplaces. Still, though, most of the trades were populated by straight men who generally found themselves on sites surrounded by mostly other straight men. When beautiful women appear on jobsites heads were bound to turn.<br/><br/>Kyle had taken his time in the kitchen to make sure that the dish had cooled off appropriately and had caramelized just so. All of his efforts were worth it after seeing her truly enjoy the dish. He, too, dug in with delight.<br/><br/>Her teasing about sex and dessert made him laugh with a mouthful and almost caused him to choke. Once the food was down he laughed out loud, eyes watering as he gently pounded his own chest.<br/><br/>“Great question,” he said, still chuckling before letting out a cough. “Truth be told, I’m not really sure anymore if I measure up to this. Truthfully I’m out of practice,” he replied with some honesty and self-deprecating humor. “See, this lifestyle of mine doesn’t lend itself to relationships. When I buy a home and renovate it, I’m only in town for nine months or a year, maybe two at most before I’m gone. Most women aren’t interested in packing up and moving to be with me every other year. So,” he added, still chuckling, “I guess I’m stuck with dessert. Maybe that’s why it’s so damn good… I don’t have anyone here to distract me!”<br/><br/>In responding that way, Kyle avoided returning the compliment. In truth sex with her had been the best he had ever experienced. That was a comment too heavy for the conversation and her emotional state, though, and would be hard to say without hinting that he was still madly in love with her.<br/><br/>After laughing a bit more Kyle finished his serving, smiling warmly at the conversation that he was enjoying more than he even thought he would. God it was good to be back in her presence again. He listened thoughtfully to her as he leaned back in his chair and finished his wine. When there was a break in the conversation he offered up an idea.<br/><br/>“You know, back in the day, dinner guests would finish eating and then ‘go through’ to a sitting room for brandy and cards. Unfortunately, that room is torn up, but I did salvage the couches,” he added, pointing to the antique sofas that faced the fire in the room. “If you are enjoying having an electricity-free, tech-free conversation we could hang on the couches for a bit. And since we have a history with couches, you and I – there are two of them. That way you don’t have to sit next to me and put your hand in my face again,” he teased about the night when they first realized they had feelings for one another. In truth he would have given anything to have her fall asleep next to him on the couch, even if nothing romantic came of it.