Page 22 of The Wiener Across the Way

That gave me an idea for a lyric.

I popped open the notes app on my phone, made a quick note about being a hopeful romantic versus a hopeless one. My heart skittered across several beats when another message popped up.

I know it's late, but mind if I call? I'd rather talk than text.

Before I could overthink it, I typed back a quick thumbs-up and waited, the phone feeling like a live wire in my hand. The screen lit up with his incoming call. I took a deep breath and I answered.

“Hi.”

“Hey. Hope I’m not keeping you up.” His voice was a husky but smooth rumble over the line, and it sent a shiver and goosebumps across my arms. “No, you’re fine. I was up... thinking.”

“About your concert? You blew my mind with your performance.”

“I did?” I was a sucker for a compliment about my show. It was hard not to be.

“Absolutely. You really capture people with your songs. It’s not just your voice either. It was like you were singing just for me. Which is silly, I know. I’m sure everyone feels that way.”

It was surreal, hearing him describe my performance, the admiration clear in his tone. But it wasn’t in that flattery way that most people used when they talked about seeing me sing. His words were so genuine, and that was a bit of a surprise. Not that I didn’t think he was capable, but a genuine compliment was rare in my experience.

“Thanks. I...” I almost told him I was singing to him. I had been for that one moment. “I work hard to be everything I can for my fans.”

“It shows. You clearly work your ass off.” He let out a soft sound that made me think he was smiling. “Although, I’ll admit to being a bit of a fan of that too.”

I had to keep back a little laugh of my own. “Of what? My ass?”

He gave a full on chuckle this time, and the deep resonating sound of it had my tummy feeling all tingly again. “Yeah, Kels. I am definitely an ass man. But I like every single one of your curves. A lot.”

There he went, flirting with me again. Should I tell him he didn’t have to do that?

Nah.

“Since you admitted that to me, I guess it’s okay if I tell you I like a good, firm butt on a man too. I may or may not have watched some of your game highlights. Those pants you all wear are...” Masturbation fodder. Oh, geez. Good thing I didn’t say that out loud. “Let’s just say I’m a fan of whoever decided football players should wear super tight pants and bend over a lot.”

“I’ll bend over for you, if you bend over for me.”

We were getting racy now, were we? Two could play at that game. “Mr. Kingman. I’m surprised. Are you offering to let me peg you?”

Yep. That came out of my mouth.

“I’ve never actually tried it, but if that’s what turns you on, my sweet songbird,” his voice was dripping with sensuality, and I found myself squirming, waiting to see what he’d say next, “I’d be game to check it out.”

Oh god. He was serious. And now I was picturing him spread out on my bed, on his stomach, naked, waiting for me to... Or was he just calling my bluff? Crap. “I haven’t done anything like that either. I’ve only read about it in smutty romance novels.”

“Are you a big reader?” He changed the subject so easily, when I was still having naughty thoughts about what we could do to each other. “Who’s your favorite author? Favorite series? What are you reading now?”

On one hand I was a little disappointed we weren’t going into dirtier territory. But on the other, it was nice that he didn’t have a one-track mind. If I was going to be spending time with him, and probably not in bed because this was fake dating after all, it was nice that he could actually carry a real conversation that didn’t have anything to do with his career. “I don’t get as much time to read as I wish I did, but I do love to when I have the chance. I’ve been working my way through this one author’s dragon shifter series. It’s got some good spice.”

“Do they ride their dragons?” He emphasized the word ride, and I didn’t miss his innuendo.

“Uh-huh.” I paused for a little emphasis. “A lot.”

“I’ll have to read that one. Send me the author and title later, and I’ll see if they have it at the library.”

Declan was too good to be real. Super good-looking, taller than me, nice to kids and animals, he liked to read, and even used his local library? No. Where were his red flags?

That meanest player thing popped into my head. Maybe he was actually a giant douchecanoe but was hiding it from me. He wouldn’t be the first.

I’d have to pay close attention. Although did I really have to? It wasn’t like we were going to date for real.

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