Page 58 of Tequila Tuesdays

My silence was deafening in the quiet kitchen, and I turned my head to the side.

He took hold of my chin and turned my face back to his. “You don’t date, and your mom said you haven’t been with anyone in a while.”

“I haven’t,” I answered flatly.

“I’m not a good person, because that turns me the fuck on.” He leaned in and bit the tendon in the side of my neck. I gasped and arched against him. “And I don’t give a shit if you don’t want to date. You and I are going to be doing a lot more than just dating.” He reached up with his thumbs and rubbed the undersides of my breasts.

“Oh, God,” I moaned softly.

“We’re so good together, Legs. We fit. And now that I know we set each other off like fucking fireworks in July, I can’t walk away from this.”

He was right. We did fit, and we set each other off. I wanted to wrap my legs around him and rub my core against him. But it wasn’t that easy.

“What are you thinking? Talk to me.” He squeezed me gently.

I sucked in a breath and tried to cool the heat coursing through my system. “Everything you say is true.” He opened his mouth, but I held up my hand to stall him. “But I have… issues. And Baggage.” I waved vaguely toward Ava’s house.

“I know. It’s part of what makes you so different. You’re complex and independent. And compassionate. And so fucking hot.”

A laugh escaped me.

He smiled. “It’s a compelling combination, and I want to explore this.”

So did I, God help me, so I slowly nodded my head.

“You look scared, sweetheart.” He lowered his voice and whispered in my ear. “You should be. Because while we’re settling into each other, I’m going to enjoy the hell out of getting to know every inch of your sweet, beautiful body.”

My pulse jumped. His hair was slightly disheveled, and his gray-blue eyes were laser-focused on me. But I needed to get control of this conversation.

“I don’t want just a hookup or a casual thing. If I wanted that, there are a dozen guys who would—”

“Don’t even finish that sentence,” he growled.

I held up my hands. “Okay. I think you know what I mean.”

His jaw clenched, but he nodded.

My hands crept up to his face. “You matter. You could hurt me, so hell yes, I’m scared.” I paused and gathered my thoughts. “Please be patient with me.”

He let out a long exhale and laid his forehead on mine. “Okay, sweetheart. I can be patient. But that doesn’t mean I won’t cop a feel every chance I get in the meantime.” He slid his hand down and squeezed my ass.

I grinned. “I’d be disappointed if you didn’t.” I reached down and grabbed his tight ass right back. He smiled and leaned in to kiss me again.

I had to kick him out a few minutes later, or we really would have ended up on my kitchen floor.

I finally texted Ava and told her I’d help put up her Christmas tree. She texted back a few minutes later.

Ava: Been up for days. Olivia’s coming Thursday. Isyours up?

Me: Of course my tree is up.

Then I dragged my Christmas tree out of the garage and put it up. I’m sure Ava knew I’d lied because while I decorated my tree, she sent me an eye roll emoji back.

Olivia had been with me a couple of years ago when I’d bought my retro 1950s atomic starburst ornaments from a little boutique on Palm Canyon Drive. The decorations had been expensive. But they were quirky and bright, and reminded me of that day when we’d walked around Palm Springs together and I took her to some of my favorite spots.

As a peace offering before Olivia came for the holiday break, I invited Ava to lunch. We talked about a watercolor class she’d signed up for, and an upcoming golf tournament. We didn’t talk about Gary.

“What kind of tournament is it?” I asked.

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