Page 64 of Afternoon Delight
“I do think about you in certain ways,” I admitted ruefully. “Ways that are not helpful when you’re going through so much.”
“Don’t. That’s not what this is.”
I wrinkled my nose, pretty sure he was clinging to the nearest solid object—me—but I was okay with that, since his arms felt really good around me.
“I’m a grown adult and I’m sober. Mostly.” He’d had a second beer. “I happen to be having a bad day. If you think letting me kiss you would be taking advantage of me, then lucky me. Have at it.”
“Maybe today isn’t the best day for me to do that, is all I’m saying.”
“Hmph. But is it definitely possible that at some point you’re going to use me like a ten-speed, hands-free, water-resistant vibrator?”
“Until I’m too weak to leave my bed.”
“Swing,” he corrected. “Let me have that one.”
I adored him. “Do you think maybe we should get out of the rain?”
“Do you think maybe we should kiss? Just once? Just to see?”
“Once,” I allowed. “For science.” I immediately got all nervous and fluttery. My smile wouldn’t relax.
He was grinning too. He dipped his head to brush his mouth at the corner of mine. The bristles of his beard grazed my chin. I liked it.
We both laughed, self-conscious, then pressed our lips together with more purpose.
The flood of sensations was incredible. We were both shivering and shuffled closer, warding off the cold. Speckles of rain dampened my face and the heat of our skin made the drops sizzle.
A rush of excitement struck as I realized I was finally kissing this man. I’d been waiting and waiting, and it was every bit as lovely as I’d hoped.
We found the right angle, the perfect fit, and settled into it. For those few moments, nothing else existed. My whole body felt like it glowed.
When the hiss of tires on wet pavement neared, we broke the kiss and caught our breath, suddenly aware of where we were.
I pulled all the way out of his arms and zipped my jacket up to my chin, freezing to death now that I wasn’t snuggled up to him.
“That felt really good,” he said.
“It did,” I agreed. Way too good. Like, change-your-life-for-a-man good.
Been there, done that, and sent that worn-out old T-shirt to the rag bag. Never again, Meg. Never again.
“Where does your sister live?” I blipped my fob to light up my SUV.
Chapter 36
Meg
I didn’t see Zak the next day, but he texted:
If anyone comes to the store tell them we’ll be back tomorrow. Specialist with Dad.
I almost tagged his message with a heart but wondered if that was too Valentine-y after our kiss. Instead, I texted back:
If anyone comes to your store, I’ll poach them the way I always do.
His response took long enough that I started to wonder if I’d been too flippant—especially considering he was still reeling from what had happened with Dale yesterday.
Then he texted:
