Page 65 of Single Girl in the City
He was good at a lot of things, like making her forget.
“I think that’s you. I might be able to charm the patrons, but you’re the one who pulled everyone together and created an environment people want to be part of. You have this light that draws people to you, makes them feel a part of something special.”
“I just built on what you’ve already created.”
“You didn’t ‘just’ anything. You’re special and people can sense that.”
She didn’t know how to respond to a compliment that was genuine and heartwarming. Her instinct was to make light of the situation, throw out some quippy joke or flirty line. Anything to distract from what she was really feeling. Instead, she said, “You make me feel special.”
He sculpted his hands down her sides to her thighs, paying extra attention to her bottom on the trip back. She rested her hands on those biceps she’d been watching all month, so she wouldn’t fall over as the air whooshed out of her lungs.
Hell, she’d suffered from severe oxygen deprivation since the minute he’d shown up on her doorstep, wearing dark jeans and a blue button-down that made his eyes look like cobalt.
He’d opened the truck door for her and helped her inside like this was an actual date. While in the truck, they’d talked about their day, the little bits and fun bits, laughing like they’d done this a million times.
“So this starts our week?”
She blinked and realized she’d been staring at his lips. “What?”
Tightening his arms around her, he leaned in and whispered, “Let the games begin.”
Abi didn’t have a response to that other than to hide her disappointment. This wasn’t a game to her, it was so much more. But she knew the conditions going in, had even agreed to them, so she couldn’t fault him for sticking to their deal.
A little part of her recognized that one week wasn’t going to be enough, but at this moment she was willing to take what he had to offer. And she’d enjoy every single second of it.
“Maybe we should start with that spin around the dance floor,” she said.
Spin was the understatement of the year. Owen didn’t just spin, he glided. His hand rested confidently at the small of her back, sliding a little lower with each song they danced. Tugging her closer with each step, until she was certain they were engaged in the sexiest display of public foreplay in the history of the world.
Every brush was like a shot of lightning, every touch as dangerous as gasoline on an already smoldering fire. When the music shifted and the line dancing began, they left the floor and headed to the bar.
Owen ordered her a beer and an iced tea for himself. When the bartender left, she turned on her stool to face him, their knees brushing. “Did you ever find that date you were looking for to accompany you to your mom’s birthday party?”
He hooked his feet around the legs of her stool, his hands around the back curve of her knees, and tugged her closer. One minute she was facing him, the next she was practically sitting on his lap. And damn he smelled good. Before she could stop herself, she took in a big whiff and sighed.
His hands went to her thighs, rubbing down and back up, moving higher and higher. “You applying, Angel?”
“Is the position still open?”
“Depends on your qualifications,” he teased.
“Let’s be honest. I’m overqualified.”
Those dimples deepened and her mouth watered. “Is that right?”
“Let me list the top five reasons why I’d be the perfect date. One.” She held up a finger. “I’m an excellent conversationalist. And my banter is top shelf.”
“That was two,” he pointed out smugly.
“Three.” She held up her third finger, the middle one, and he out-and-out laughed. “I don’t take your crap. Four. I’m great with moms. Scratch that. Moms love me.”
“As I mentioned earlier, you haven’t met my mom. She nearly scared off my two sisters-in-law. They call her Satan’s Keeper.”
“She hasn’t met me.”
This time when he ran his hands up, his thumbs went so high her clothes nearly melted right off her body. “And five?”
“Oh, you’ll like five. The dress.” It wasn’t actuallyherdress. It was Dotti’s but Abi was confident that with a little Anna and Elsa bribery she could sweet-talk her sister into sole custody for the night.
