Page 19 of Not Safe For Work

“Are you some sort of wine expert? What do you mean, habit?” I’m thoroughly confused.

“My family owns a winery up in Sonoma. Diamond Sky?” I shake my head, not entirely sure which words go together. “I assumed you knew. People in the office are always asking me for free wine.”

“I’ve never been much of a wine drinker,” I respond, which is true, but then she looks at the glass and back at me with an apology in her eyes. “I like this though. You picked a good one.”

“You should’ve told me.” She nudges my shoulder and I grab onto her hand before she can pull it back.

“I like it. I swear. You’ll have to recommend some others for me to try. Maybe I can be as fancy as you.”

I help her plate up all the food and move it over to the coffee table. Her apartment’s too small for a dining set, but I’m glad for the tight space. It feels more comfortable, sitting on the couch, snacking together. It’s nice seeing Liv in her comfort zone, her body relaxed as she tucks her feet under her legs and falls into the couch.

“I always bring a ton of wine back when I visit. I’ll make sure to put a bottle on your desk so everyone knows how special you are.”

I watch her tear off a chunk of bread and try to remind myself she’s only pretending that I’m special, that this whole arrangement is going to end in a few days. When I came up with the idea last night, I don’t think I considered what I’d have to give up once it ended.

I like hanging out with Liv. I’ve always had a thing for her but now that I get to see this side of her, in her own environment, I like her even more.

Part of me wants to run before I become even more pathetically gone for her, but a stronger part of me wants to enjoy this while I can.

“So, I think we need to go over some ground rules,” she says, interrupting my thoughts.

“Rules?” I grab a few almonds from the platter while she nods her head several times, mouthing a few words I can’t make out. “Go ahead. Tell me.”

“Touching.” The word flies through her lips and her eyes bulge. “Sorry, I meant, umm…”

“You’ve got to stop apologizing, Liv. You say sorry more than anyone I’ve ever met.”

“Sor—” She just barely stops herself and we both grin. “I can’t help it.”

“Just tell me what’s on your mind,” I urge her to continue, because my thoughts are still snagging on the wordtouching.

“When you held my hand today,” she begins. “It sort of caught me off guard. I guess I just wanted to know what to expect on Friday.”

“You want to know how much I plan on touching you?” Each of her features scrunch together as she nods, her hands in tight fists by her sides on the couch. She looks nervous as hell. About me touching her? Shit.

“I mean, I’m good with it, if you are.” Okay, I can breathe again. “And it’s a work-sponsored event so I don’t think anyone is expecting us to be going at it, but I just need a heads up if you want to start making out or something.”

I really wish I hadn’t just taken a sip of wine because it bursts through my mouth as I choke on her words.Or something?

“Oh no. I’m so sorry!” I glare at her. “Not sorry, just…apologetic. Let me get you a towel.” Luckily, I saved her from the spray by blocking it with my arm. My arm that’s now covered in wine. I really should take smaller sips.

“Just to be clear, you’d like a heads up before I stick my tongue in your mouth? Or…more?” I ask, trying and failing to clean my stained sleeve with the paper towel she hands me. I give up and reach for the hem of my hoodie, taking the whole thing off.

“Preferably, yes. Umm, why are you taking off your clothes? I feel like a heads up there would be nice too.”

Now that I know she’s not nearly as timid as I thought, I feel like messing with her a bit. I stand up and pull her with me, wrapping an arm around her waist and lifting her up until her feet dangle against me. She makes a little shriek.

“What are you doing?”

“Ravaging you, of course. Is this enough of aheads up?”

She punches at my shoulder. “Oh my god. Put me down, Scottie!” I love it when she calls me that. I love that she has a comeback for everything, even the first time I gave her a nickname.

I set her down, both of us laughing, and take my sweatshirt over to the sink. I never knew how much I’d enjoy making her flustered. It’s not exactly a great recipe for fooling people we’re dating, but I’ll have to enjoy it behind the scenes.

“As for your rules,” I yell over my shoulder, loud enough for her to hear with the running water. “If there’s anything you don’t want me to do, anything you’re uncomfortable with, just tell me. But no, I don’t think anyone expects us to be making out at the off-site.” I leave the wet sweatshirt hanging off the counter to dry and sit back down on the couch. “Unless you want to, of course.” I can’t help it. I wiggle my brows a bit to see if I can make her blush again. And she does. Hell, maybe she does want to kiss me.

“I think I’ll pass,” she says, scooting away from me an inch or two. “At least until I know why you’re so scared of thebig bad ferry boats.”

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