Page 20 of A Valentine's Day Gift
“What’s so funny?” she asked.
“I like how you sound so pissy that we have to stop kissing. That means you want more.”
“Maybe,” she allowed.
“Definitely. You want me.”
Now he was getting arrogant. “Maybe I do, maybe I don’t.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Kiss me again if you want to find out.”
He flashed a smile. “You bet I will.”
She smiled to herself, pleased with his assurance.
“You want to go out again next Saturday night?” he asked.
“Yes,” she replied immediately.
“That was a fast yes.”
“I’m of an age where I know what I want,” she said.
He smiled, his dark eyes sparkling with good humor. “I like the sound of that. See? There’s benefits to dating at our age. We know what we want; we know when it’s good.” He took her hand and gave it a squeeze. “I’m lucky to have a second chance at dating with you.”
“You’re my second chance too. My first try was pretty bad.”
“I’m sorry to hear it, but glad at the same time, ya know? Because now I get to be with you. You know what they say, second time’s a charm.”
“Is it? I thought it was third time.”
His voice was warm and full of good humor. “Pretty sure it’s second time.”
He was joking, but she liked the sentiment. “You know, I think you might be right about that.”
They drove back to her house, talking and laughing about the kids, hard not to when they were both single parents, but it was nice to share. He pulled into her driveway and shut off the car. For a moment, she thought they might have a makeout session in the car, but he got out, walked around and opened her car door.
“I was raised to walk my date to the front door,” he said.
“Good with me.” She got out and he took her hand, his larger hand enveloping hers in warmth, walking her to the front door. Both of them were quiet. Maybe he didn’t want the night to end either.
She’d left the porch light on, and it occurred to her that her neighbors could witness a goodnight kiss. Screw it. That kiss was all she was getting tonight, and she wanted it much more than she cared about the gossips. She fished her key out of her purse and looked up at him. “Thanks for dinner. I had a wonderful time. So…goodnight.”
He gazed at her for a moment, his eyes gleaming before he closed the distance between them, his hand cupping her jaw, tilting her head up, holding her as he kissed one corner of her mouth, then the other.
She gripped his shirt, pulling him in for more. And then it changed. His hand slid under her hair, cupping her head, as his mouth became more demanding, deepening the kiss, his tongue thrusting inside. Her stomach dipped, damp between the legs, and she threw her arms around his neck, returning the kiss passionately. His arm banded around her waist, half lifting her as his mouth plundered. She’d never been kissed like this before and she loved it. She ventured to taste, sliding her tongue along his, and he jerked back, breathing hard.
“Yeah,” he said. “Time to go.”
“Did I do something wrong?” she asked, mortified.
He groaned. “No, sweetheart, you do everything too good. Know what I’m sayin’?”
“I’m slutty?”
He barked out a laugh, then held her by the chin and gave her a quick kiss. “I’m saying I need to control myself because you are one sexy woman.”
