Page 20 of Stolen Moments

She laughs at my teasing as I stare at her lush mouth, the red color summoning me to kiss her and never stop.

“So impatient. Why don’t you tell me the movie and a dish you’d serve?” she says, flipping the question my way.

“Easy. The Matrix, and I’d serve steak. Well, maybe a steak sandwich since it’s probably easier to serve and eat here.”

“The Matrix, huh? Not my favorite Keanu movie, but I approve. Cop-out on the steak.”

“You wound me. What was I supposed to say? Red and blue jellybeans?”

She barks out a raspy laugh, and the sound makes my cock perk up.

“Fine, I’ll give you that. But there are better Keanu movies out there to choose from.” She looks at me, waiting to agree with her.

“Please don’t tell me your favorite Keanu movie isThe Lake Houseor something equally cheesy.”

“God no. I like Keanu when he’s kicking ass. If I had to pick, then it’s John Wick all the way.”

Fuck, she got even hotter with that pick. She already had me, being a fan ofThe Witcher.

The attendant at the door scans our tickets, and hands us each two boxes of food and a bag of popcorn. Another person in a Science Center T-shirt hands us a sheet of paper with directions,explaining how each box is numbered to coincide with a scene from the film.

Emery bounces on her toes with excitement. I couldn’t have gotten luckier with these tickets.

I take her food boxes while she carries the popcorn. We make our way inside, buying a couple of bottles of water before going into the theater. We chat the entire time, Emery finally revealing her movie and food picks—The Big Lebowskiand White Russian cupcakes. She just might be my dream woman come true, or she’s an apparition that will disappear at the end of the night. The jury’s still out.

“These are great seats. You should thank whomever you robbed for these tickets,” she boasts as we take our seats.

Now, it’s my turn to laugh. My cheeks hurt. I can’t remember the last time I smiled this much. “I didn’t steal them.”

She arches a brow at me, waiting for me to reveal my connection.

“Fine, I don’t have connections. I got lucky. My oldest brother’s best friend had the tickets. His daughter came down with a fever, so I offered to take the tickets off his hands. For a price, of course.”

Her mouth turns into an O in understanding. “Is it wrong that I’m glad his daughter got sick and we got to use his tickets?” She cringes but can’t hide her smile, nor the twinkle in her eye.

“I won’t judge you if you don’t judge me for having the same thought earlier.”

She shakes her head adamantly. “Never. We should get her something as a thank you. But don’t say that. Say it’s to make her feel better.”

“I was already thinking that. Maybe after the show, we can hit up the gift shop? You can help me buy a few things.”

“I’d like that.” She bites that sexy red lip again.

My dick perks up. It’s going to be a long, painful night if he keeps responding to her every move with enthusiasm.

The lights dim, and Emery takes off her trench coat. The perfume she’s wearing hits me in the face again—a man could easilyget addicted to the smell of her skin. She shifts closer to me, taking her food boxes and placing them on her lap. She leans back and rests her arm against mine, sending hot prickly energy across my skin with every brush of contact.

We watch the movie, whispering and eating the entire time. It’s the best date I’ve ever been on.

Emery is sweet and funny. If her flushed cheeks are any indication, she isn’t put out by my bossy demeanor; she likes it. Nor is she put off by the fact that I travel and work a lot, which only makes me want her more. Her understanding and support—while incredibly new—are genuine, which is a first for me. She is also quite ambitious, telling me how she hopes to help expand her company, as long as her business partners are willing and supportive.

At the gift shop, she helps me pick out a couple of stuffed dinosaurs and some playing cards, talking to me the entire time about anything and everything. Our conversation flows easily from one subject to the next. Though we ask each other a lot of questions, we keep it light. She gushes over her brother, Chris, while I briefly talk about mine.

By the time I have to take her home, I’m anxious and disappointed the night is over so soon. I don’t want our time to end. There is something about her that has me wanting more.

I want to explore a relationship with someone for the first time in years. I want to reach out for something that’s been out of my grasp for so long. The scary part of it all is that I only want that with her.

Chapter eight

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