Page 22 of Second Round

“Thank you. So, you’re fromQuebec?”

“Oui.Montréal.”

“Oh, I’ve always wanted to go there. It’s supposed to be just likeEurope.”

His eyes widened. “I’m shocked. You’ve never been to Montréal? It is by far the loveliest city inCanada.”

“Come on. Nicer than Vancouver? I don’tthinkso.”

He laughed. “How can you compare if you’ve never beenthere?”

“That’s true, but I’ve seenphotos.”

“Vancouver has a beautiful natural setting. It is a spectacular city. But Montréal has a liveliness and energy that you cannot find anywhere else. And the people are very specialaswell.”

“Like you?” Iasked.

He grinned. “Merci.That was great. But I’m afraid I’m going to have to get toworknow.”

“Now?” I checked my watch and it was almost ten o’clock. “It’ssolate.”

“I know. I should have been working earlier, but you’re very distracting.” He shrugged. “We have an afternoon game tomorrow, and there are many details I want to addressbeforehand.”

I stood up. “Oh, okay. Sorryaboutthat.”

He stood up too and closed the distance between us. “Please don’t apologize. You made me a nice dinner, and the company was evenbetter.”

He reached out and ran the back of his hand along my upper arm.Bam, a new erogenous zone was created. His nearness was rendering me wordless. I made a humming noise of agreement that came out like awhimper.

“So, are we still on forourdate?”

“This wasn’t it?” I croaked. Because tonight was the best thing to happen to me in months. I fed someone and he turned on my electrical circuits. Hotdiggitydog.

“No!” He sounded shocked. “A date is me picking you up and taking you somewhere special. Are you free tomorrownight?”

It took me all of one millisecond to review my social calendar. Painting at home with only a snoring cat for company or seeing the amazing Leo again. “I’mfree.”

“Parfait.I am free as well. Send me your address, and I’ll see you aroundseven.”

He watched as I lingered in the doorway. Then he leaned towards me. His hand rose and brushed an errant strand of my hair. The warmth of his hand tickled my cheek. Was he going to kiss me? Hot damn. I closed my eyes. Time for some telepathic mind control:kiss me, kiss me,kissme.

I opened my eyes, and Leo was smiling at me. So much for mindcontrol.

“À demain,Jacqueline.”

“I don’t know what that means,” I confessed. It wasn’t enough words for “This attraction between us is seismic,” which was whatIwasthinking.

“Until tomorrow,” he explained, that knowing smile never leaving his face. I was so out of myleaguehere.

I nodded and wrenched the door open. Twenty-four hours might be enough time for me to tame the pure lust I was feeling.Ornot.

8

GirlTalk

Jackie

Igotin the van and put my head on the steering wheel. What the hell was I thinking? Well, it was pretty clear I wasn’t thinking at all. Or my lady parts had taken over my brain parts. Before I started up the van, I checked my phone. Ten messages fromSharon.

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