Page 41 of Sweet Passions at Bayside
“In a few weeks?” Was this his way of telling her he was busy until then? She’d had such a good time today, she’d assumed they’d spend more time together. She was surprised by the disappointment swamping her.
“What’s the matter, doll? I’m not hot enough for you to go on real dates with?”
The spark of tease in his eyes told her that he didn’t believe that his being hot enough was even a consideration. With anyone else, that arrogance would be a turn-off, but with Dean, it was a major aphrodisiac, making it easier to push aside the disappointment of not knowing if they’d spend time together in the days between now and their date. “That depends. Will our date include one of those epic, outside-shower moments afterward?”
He trailed kisses down her neck. “Before, during, and after that Friday night, if I have my way.”
Oh boy…How would she survive that? “The odds are tipping in your favor.”
He winked.
“Where are we going onthatFriday night?”
He tugged down her neckline and pressed a kiss to the center of her breastbone. “A benefit dinner for my grandfather’s foundation. My father is the keynote speaker.”
She knew his grandfather had been one of the nation’s first pediatric neurosurgeons, and he’d started the Pediatric Neurology Foundation, with which his family was still very involved. But her gut fisted at the thought of attending a dinner with Dean’s family. More specifically, his father, a well-known, and arrogant, physician who ran one of the most prestigious pediatric neurosurgery practices on the East Coast. Knowing how he was constantly riding Dean to sell his share in the resort and go to medical school made her more likely to slap his father than speak to him.
“What are you trying to do, pick a fight with your father? You know how I feel about the things he says to you, and I’m not good at holding my tongue. When he starts giving you a hard time about not going to medical school, I’m going to say something I shouldn’t. It’s not a good idea.”
Dean moved lower, and the blanket fell to the ground. She didn’t need it anyway. He kept her so revved up, she didn’t have time to cool down. He pushed her hoodie above her ribs, exposing her belly to the air. His warm lips trailed across her stomach, bringing rise to goose bumps.
“You’re my girl now, and I want you with me.”
Hisgirl? She’d never been one of those women who needed to be, or wanted to be,claimedby a man, but in the space of a day spent with Dean, it felt like the only thing she’d ever wanted. She reminded herself that it hadn’t only been a day. They’d been building up to this for months, but she’d been buried too deep in denial to let herself enjoy it.
“Will Jett be there?” she asked cautiously.
He scoffed. “He’s conveniently going to be out of the country dealing with investments.”
“That’s another man I won’t hold my tongue around. I know he’s your brother, but he’s too weak to be in the same room as your dad. He should show up once in a while.”
“Jett might argue that I’m the weak one. But can wenottalk about my brother right now?”
“You? Weak? Ha!”
He circled her belly button with his tongue, sending scintillating pleasures feathering outward from her core and dragging her back to the delicious heat of the moment. She’d made a lot of bad decisions in her life, and though she knew Dean wasn’t one of them, she wanted to be completely clearheaded when they took the next step. She needed to see for herself that in the light of day, when her head wasn’t foggy with lust and her body wasn’t acting like a ravenous beast, they’d still be on the same page.
Maybe just a few more belly kisses.
“I don’t know about that dinner,” she said breathlessly. The last thing she wanted to do was cause trouble between Dean and his father, but she also wanted to be there for Dean. She went with levity while she thought it over. “There are several weeks between now and then. What if I get a better offer?”
He lifted his face, meeting her gaze with a serious expression. “Has someone forgotten our three-example-outings deal?”
Her heart soared. He wasn’t busy after all? Well, except with her. “No…”
“Tomorrow, six p.m., be ready for outing number two.”
“Is that how I should expect guys to ask me out? Because that was pretty much a demand.” Andoh, how she loved his demands. But she wouldn’t like any other man taking such liberties.
His lips curved up in a smile. “My apologies. Beautiful doll, will you go on an example outing with me tomorrow evening at six?”
“I will,” she said sassily. “But a few more belly kisses might seal the deal.”
“As you wish.” He lowered his open mouth to her belly.
He kissed just above the waist of her shorts. Her fingers curled into fists as he continued his oral assault, snaking that talented tongue from one hip to the other. She was so desperate for more, she dug her heels into the lounger. Her body screamedyes!but the organ she’d ignored for so long—her heart—told her to wait.Don’t mess this up.
She squeezed her eyes shut. And then she squeezed her thighs together. Dean lifted his head again, confusion riddling his handsome face. She had to say something, but her words refused to come.
