Page 7 of Austin

She blinks as a range of emotions plays across her expressive face. First is confusion, then disbelief, and finally… acceptance? Approval? Does she feel the same way? She’s smiling again and her dark eyes are sparkling, so I’m pretty sure that’s a good sign.

“So…” she begins, her smile turning mischievous and so, so sexy. “Does that mean you’re asking me out for dinner now? Or just promising to ask me out sometime in the near future?”

I laugh because she’s right—I didn’t actually ask. But that’s a problem I can happily fix right this second. “Cassy, can I make dinner for you tonight at my place? Just you and me? Around seven?”

Her face lights up and she doesn’t hesitate to answer. “Dinner at seven sounds great. I’ll give you my number and you can text me your address. Do I need to bring anything?”

“Just your beautiful, smiling face,” I say before I can censor myself. “I’ll see you tonight, then.”

Damn, I want to kiss her now more than ever.

But no.

Not yet.

The best things in life are worth waiting for, right? I know for sure she’s worth waiting for.

* * *

I should probably be nervous. I’ve invited a beautiful woman over to my house without really thinking it through first. After a mad dash to the grocery store and some frantic cleaning to make sure the whole place looks as good as it possibly can, I should be at my wits’ end worrying about making a good impression on the girl of my dreams.

And Idowant to make a good impression—the best impression, hopefully—but I’m still not worried. Not nervous or anxious or even a little jittery because I’ve already felt the kind of connection, the chemistry, the magically elusive spark that I’ve only ever hoped to have with other women in the past.

Cassy is different from any woman I’ve ever met in that regard. She’s quiet but warm at the same time. Sarcastic and dry, but in the best possible way, without being mean or grumpy. And that’s just how she is on the inside. She also happens to be everything I look for on the outside, too. Dark hair and pale skin with soft curves and just a hint of mischief in her brown eyes… yeah, she’s the total package and I guess that’s why I’ve been looking forward to seeing her again ever since that first conversation we shared in the bookstore.

My doorbell rings and I look at the clock. Three minutes until seven. Perfect timing.

I open the door and I’m momentarily speechless. “Damn,” I say, my eyes traveling down her body to take in each and every one of her curves. “I mean—sorry. I just… you look really good. Really good.”

She laughs and smooths her hand down the front of the short black dress she’s wearing. “Try not to sound so surprised.” She holds out a bottle of wine. “I know you said not to bring anything, but I couldn’t help myself.”

I take the bottle and usher her inside. “I’m not surprised at how good you look, for the record. Just appreciative. Appreciative of the wine, too. It’ll go great with the pasta I’m making.” We walk through the house until we get to the dining room, where I pull out a chair for her. “I just finished plating everything up, so I’ll go grab the plates and pour us some wine if you want to have a seat here.”

“Handsome and hospitable,” she winks. “You really do know the way to a woman’s heart.”

“I hope it’s the way to your heart,” I say, meaning it. Our eyes lock and I can feel that spark again, that frisson of electric energy passing between us. The feeling is powerful and addictive, and I have to turn back to the kitchen to keep from reaching out for her. I’d like nothing better than to postpone dinner and pull her back into my arms, to feel her nestle against my chest like she did earlier today after the hockey game.

Jesus, I need to calm down. She’s been here two minutes and I’m already searching for an excuse to get her back into my arms. I don’t want to move too fast and risk making her uncomfortable, but I already know she’s the one.

She’s the one for me and I can feel it in my heart and in the deepest part of my soul. I’ve never been one to believe in things like fate or destiny or love at first sight, but… here we are.

And yeah, maybeloveis a bit premature, but I know what my heart wants.

Cassy.

Only Cassy and nobody else.

* * *

We’ve both almost finished our pasta and I’m wishing I’d made more food or maybe picked up something more for dessert besides the fresh strawberries and whipped cream that I threw into my shopping cart on a whim—anything that would make this meal last a little longer and give me an excuse to keep talking to Cassy.

“This is the best dinner I’ve had in a long time,” she smiles with a contented sigh. “I don’t think I can eat much more, even though it’s super tempting to try.”

I grin. “I’m glad you like it. Do save some room for strawberries, though. I picked up some big, fresh, juicy ones at the store today.”

She raises a pretty brow. “I never imagined fruit could sound so sexy.”

We both laugh, even though her words send an electric jolt right down to my groin. I stand up from the table and turn toward the kitchen so I can subtly adjust myself, then call back over my shoulder, “There’s whipped cream, too. Not sure if that also counts as sexy?”

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