Page 18 of Life After

“Suzanne, you don’t have to do that.” Suzanne knew Jen wouldn’t scold her for enjoying alcohol, but that was the thing. She didn’t enjoy alcohol, not really. While she was getting to know Jen, Suzanne wanted to be entirely coherent. “But I appreciate you. So much.”

Suzanne lowered her gin glass to the table and pressed her palms to the wood on either side of Jen’s body. She smiled into a kiss, knowing full well what Jen’s lips did to her body. Over the last week, Suzanne couldn’t recall a single time she’d felt so sure about something. Or so aroused. This woman had the ability to change Suzanne’s life, and she hoped Jen thought the very same thing in return. “I just want to know you, Jen. A week ago, when I found the courage to ask you out for a drink, I didn’t expect anything to come of it, but I’m finding that I want to spend more time with you whenever I can.”

“Yeah?” Jen lay her hands on Suzanne’s waist. Suzanne knew the dress she wore was beautiful, but she would prefer to be out of it before this night was over. “You really mean that?”

“Does it seem to you that Iwouldn’tmean it?” Suzanne was surprised by Jen’s shock. Hadn’t it been obvious so far that something was absolutely happening here between them? “Do I have to do more to show you I’m genuinely interested in you?”

“N-no. Not at all.” Jen smiled as she stroked her thumb against the material of Suzanne’s dress. It only had every nerve ending firing up, her body requiring something more. “The last thing I expected was this.You. But I have no plans to do anything other than date you and hopefully return the feeling thatyoumakemefeel.”

“And what feeling is that?”

“Well, there’s several, but mostly that feeling that someone actually wants you.” Jen dipped her head as she said that, unable to look Suzanne in the eye. “Because thatiswhat it’s like whenever I’m with you, and it’s been so long since I’ve felt wanted byanyone.”

Suzanne brought a hand to Jen’s jaw and looked her dead in the eye. “Oh, I want you. Make no mistake about that.”

“I know. Idofeel it. It’s pretty intense, to be honest.”

Suzanne narrowed her eyes. “Intense good or intense bad?”

“Good.Alwaysgood.” Jen slid her hand to Suzanne’s arse as she pushed off the edge of the dining table. “But if you think this is moving too fast at any point, you tell me, and we can slow down. Just…not yet.Nottonight. Whatever you’re cooking smells fucking amazing.”

“It’s a good job you said that. I’ve been panicking for the last couple of hours that you wouldn’t like what I was serving up tonight.”

“Can you tell me, or is it a surprise?”

Suzanne stole a quick kiss and then backed away. “I can tell you. Your surprise comes later.”

“My surprise?” Jen lifted a brow, that want only intensifying as she stared back at Suzanne. “What surprise?”

“Well, it wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you.” Suzanne moved back into the kitchen and checked on dinner. “As for what we’re having…it’s prosciutto-wrapped chicken with glazed vegetables. Dauphinoise potatoes, too.”

Jen puffed out her cheeks. “Landed on my feet here, haven’t I?”

Suzanne draped herself against the arch separating the kitchen from the dining area. “I was thinking the very same thing.”

Jen took a step closer and reached for Suzanne’s hand. When she brought it to her lips and kissed her skin, Suzanne’s stomach fluttered. “I feel incredibly lucky to be here with you. Thank you.”

Jen sat backin her seat, her eyes rarely leaving Suzanne’s for the entirety of dinner. There was just something about being here, sitting across from this woman, that had Jen feeling as though life really was picking up. She knew she had to take the leap and make that happen herself, but she truly hadn’t expected Suzanne. Not even a similar version of Suzanne.

“Tell me something about yourself,” Suzanne said, sipping the small glass of wine she’d poured with dinner. “Family life. That sort of thing.”

Oh, this was serious. Suzanne genuinely didn’t just want to fuck Jen. While Jen would be happy with the intimacy, she also felt better knowing Suzanne was taking an interest in her life. Well, the parts Jen chose to discuss, anyway. “It’s just me, my mum, and my sister. We lost Dad ten years ago. My sister, Grace, had a little boy recently. Toby is a few months old now.”

“Ah. Baby nephews. Adorable.”

Jen wished she could say more about Toby. About his little quirks. But she couldn’t because she barely knew anything about him. “He is adorable.”

“I have a niece. She’s ten now. Elsie. Named after our mother.”

“That’s a really sweet name,” Jen said, enjoying these moments. When she was dating, she wanted to know everything there was to know about the woman in her life. “Do you see her often?”

“I used to see her practically every day when they lived closer, but they moved down south for Jeff’s job, so it’s not quite the same anymore. She is visiting next week, though.”

“Oh, that’ll be nice. Will she be here for long? If I’ve got my dates right, it’s half term, isn’t it?”

Suzanne nodded. “It is. She’ll be here for one night, and then they have to get back. Jeff has a business meeting.”

“What does he do? If you don’t mind me asking.” Jen didn’t suspect Suzanne had anything to hide at all. Family included.

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