Page 29 of Raging Inferno

“I’d like to change that,” I say softly. Lifting the cup to my lips, I take a sip. The waitress comes to take our order and once she’s gone, Jimmy folds his hands on top of the table, giving me his undivided attention.

“Talk to me,” he encourages.

Unsure where to begin, I start with the first thing that comes to mind.

“You’re the first man I’ve dated since my son’s father,” I reveal. “The first man I’ve been interested in since I met Chris,” I pause, swallowing the lump. “That was his name.”

“Was?” he rasps.

“He passed away,” I whisper, dropping my gaze to my barren finger. “It was our wedding day, and he was on his way to the church when a tractor-trailer collided with his car, killing him instantly.”

Jimmy’s tattooed hands cover mine, causing me to lift my head. His eyes are full of sorrow and regret, both of which I don’t want. He opens his mouth—no doubt to give me his condolences but I don’t give him the chance. Leaning over the table, I lift a finger to his lips silencing him as I shake my head.

“Don’t look at me like that and before you say you’re sorry, let me finish. It’s been five years since he died. Five long years and I’m finally realizing I want to move on. I don’t want to go the rest of my life mournfully existing. I want to live. I want to experience everything that makes life incredible.”

Jimmy gently closes his hand around my wrist and I watch his throat as he swallows. Fearing what might come from his mouth, I continue to ramble on.

“I know we don’t know each other that well but, I’d like to change that. I like you, Jimmy, I like your morals and your manners. I like the way I feel when I’m with you and I really like looking at you,” I whisper with a smile. “So, if you’re interested, I’d like for us to get to know one another better. Even if we only end up being friends.”

“I can’t,” he says with a tortured expression on his face. My ego deflates instantly, and I make a move to take my hand from his, but his grip tightens.

“I can’t be your friend because I make it my business not to sleep with friends,” he amends. “If you and I agree to see where this goes I can almost promise you we’ll end up in bed together.”

“Sleepovers can be fun,” I croak.

“I’m talking about sleepovers of the naked nature,” he clarifies. “The kind where I spend all night between your legs, reminding you you’re alive and reacquainting you with the things that make life incredible.”

Jimmy has flirted with me before, but he’s never been so forthcoming with his intentions. As much as they terrify me they also excite me.

“I’m not ready for that,” I admit hoarsely. “And, I don’t know when I will be either.”

It took a lot of courage for me to admit I want to see where this goes. To be fully invested in another man and give into my attraction for him.

Caressing the inside of my wrist, he nods while keeping his eyes firmly planted on mine.

“I’m a patient man, Melissa,” he starts. “I might not have lost my wife tragically, but I know what it’s like to lose the person you thought you’d spend the rest of your life with. I know the struggle of starting over. We’ll take things slow and set guidelines. Whatever makes you comfortable.”

“Baby steps,” I say, biting the inside of my cheek as I contemplate the suggestion. “What kind of guidelines?”

“Well,” he begins, intertwining our fingers. “I get to hold your hand whenever I want.”

“I think I can manage that,” I agree.

“Yeah, how about dinner? Can you handle a few of those? Maybe a movie or a walk in the park?”

“Seems feasible. Are you the only one who gets to lay down the law?” I question, lifting an eyebrow. Releasing my hands, his lips quirk.

“Have at it,” he urges.

“We kiss,” I say boldly. His eyes grow dark at the suggestion.

“That’s a given considering we already have.”

“I was hoping we could have a do over on that,” I admit, tucking my hair behind my ears. His gaze sweeps around the diner before landing back on me.

“You want to show these people how it’s done?”

“Right now?”

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