Page 45 of Not the Plan

Okay. Last night was…wonderful. But it wasn’t reality. Evenings like that, unusual things happen. If RJ and Glenna are right, and this…what if this isn’t okay? I shouldn’t even be allowing myself to be attracted to someone.She placed her hands on the kitchen counter and leaned into them, trying to gather her thoughts.I can’t help that I’m attracted to him. There’s nothing wrong with being attracted to someone. And yes, I did have fun last night. But even beyond a threat to my plans to go to D.C., this is dangerous. Romantic emotions are a threat. They are dangerous.Shefocused on the backs of her hands.But that doesn’t make any sense.That’s another one of my mother’s lies.RJ and Glenna are right. I’ll choose to believe them, even if I don’t fully understand them right now.She blew out a shaky breath, surprised at the need to wipe at a tear escaping.There’s no danger in getting to know a man I’m attracted to. And God, am I attracted to him.

She jumped at his knock at the door. More anxiety cropped up, and she shook out her hands and rolled her shoulders, approaching the door.

—

She swung the door open and had to squeeze the knob hard. His fitted dark green T-shirt accentuated the V formed from his broad shoulders to his narrow waist. He hadn’t shaved, but he was wearing his glasses again, and the contrast between rugged-sexy and nerdy-cute made her knees weak.

“Good morning, beautiful.” He smiled.

Good morning, you sexy motherfucker.

“Hi there,” she said. His appraisal made her hope he had a similar thought. He tipped his gorgeous head to the side.

“Do you mind if I kiss you?”

A chill went down her spine.

I want you to do a whole lot more than kiss me. I gotta slow this down, though.

She offered him her cheek. He raised his eyebrows but accepted it, giving her a light peck. Her nostrils filled with cool and woodsy and male. All those delicious man smells she wanted in her bedsheets.

“Ready to roll?” he asked.

“Yep.” She grabbed her bag and locked the door. He led the way down the stairs.

The back was as good as the front. She shook her head and touched her fingertips to her lips. She wanted to slide a hand into his back pocket so she could feel if his butt was tight and hot up close. Then it wasn’t moving anymore. He’d caught her staring and his lips were twitching, holding back a laugh.

“See something you like?” he teased.

She ducked her head and shrugged her shoulders. “Guilty,” she said.

He opened the passenger door for her.

“It’s okay,” he said, getting into the car. “I like what I see too.” He glanced down at her legs, up to her breasts. The heat that bloomed up her neck forced her to let out a sigh.

He started the car and was about to unlock the emergency brake, when she changed her mind.

“Wait,” she said. She leaned over and kissed him, properly this time, teasing his mouth open, sliding her tongue along his, caressing his jaw and neck. He smiled against her lips, letting her lead. When he reached for her cheek, she released him with a satisfied moan, and returned to her seat. Flipping the visor down, she pretended to check her lipstick in the mirror, savoring the dazed expression on his face.

“Okay,” she said. “I’m ready to go.”

“What was that?” He was even sexier, happy and confused, but the drive hadn’t started, and she’d let her desire leapfrog her logic.

“A little much? Sorry. You said you wanted a kiss before…” She smoothed her skirt down her thighs, fiddling with the hem.

“Uh no, no. I am not complaining. Not at all. Feel free to surprise me like that any time you want.” He laughed. She joined him, her cheeks warming.

“Cool,” she said.

He backed out of the space and drove out of her neighborhood, headed toward the freeway.

“Just one thing,” he said. “Didn’t have time to fill up. Need to stop and get some gas.”

“Okay.”

“AC, windows, or top down?” he asked.

“AC, please.” She ran a hand down the leather of her seat. There was a hint of new car smell, but not much.

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