Page 49 of Four Dates and A Forever
“We’ve already broken rule one and as for warm fuzziness, I’m more of a hot and hard kind of guy.”
She gave him a gentle shove and he laughed. But she also went weak in the knees, because while he was joking, she remembered how languid and laser focused on her pleasure he was when it came to driving her out of her mind.
“It has to be friends first.” Was she seriously considering this? Apparently, she was, because she added, “Sex comes second.”
“A very close, almost on the same level, second.” When he spoke next, the low rumble of his voice sent a delicious shiver down her spine. “While I’m all for front-seat foreplay, I want to take a step back and go slow,” he said, even as he tightened his hold, pulling her against him so all their good parts lined up. “Make sure we do this right.”
“Based on what just happened, I don’t think slow is an option.”
“I was serious when I said I’m a date first kind of guy.” She gave a disbelieving look, because they both knew that he’d been hook-up central since his divorce. He tilted her chin up and the emotions she saw shining in his eyes nearly knocked her off her feet. “With you, I’m a date first kind of guy.”
“Dating sounds like a commitment.”
“I’m not talking chartering a flight to Paris for dinner overlooking the Eiffel Tower.”
She gasped. “You’ve done that?”
“Haven’t you?” He teased but she wasn’t sure if he was joking. “I was thinking something more casual. Like a night in, where I cook. It can be fun, and you need some fun in your life.”
She snorted. “You cook?”
“If you go out with me, I can learn.”
“Do you even hear what you’re saying?”
“I’m as surprised as you are,” he said, and his honesty scared her. Because Honest Rhett was a whole lot harder to resist than Flirty Rhett. “I don’t need an answer now. Take some time to think it over.”
Thinking wasn’t the problem. It was all the feels he inspired. All the what-ifs and might-be-worth-its that tore at her carefully laid plans. Which was why, instead of getting back in that car with Rhett, she walked back to Claire’s. She had a party to run, and she wasn’t going to jeopardize her goals over a kiss.
Even if it was a blow-her-mind and rock-her-world kiss to end all kisses.
Chapter Twelve
Dating Tips from Elsie Dodd
Don’t do it.
Two nights later, Elsie strutted into the Whiskey Depository wearing her best cocktail dress, grout under her nails, and a smile on her face. She’d just spent the past ten hours—a very rewarding ten hours—ripping out the tile in the downstairs bathroom and not thinking about Rhett and that kiss once. Not when she’d snuck into the kitchen at five a.m. to avoid him. Not when she’d heard the strumming of his guitar. Not even when she caught a glimpse of his jean-clad ass climbing into his SUV.
Nope, she didn’t even think about him eight hours later when he still hadn’t come home. Not that she wanted him to. He’d given her a proposition, one that was as ridiculous as it was tempting, and she needed more time to think it through—really think it through. Which was why she’d called her friend Carla to meet downtown for drinks.
Carla was recently divorced but, unlike Elsie, she was managing singlehood like a ninja. She took to single life like a fish to water, while Elsie was floundering. So who better to give some expert advice on her situation?
And she needed advice.
Rhett had given Elsie an interesting proposition, then acted as if nothing had changed between them, leaving her confused and a bit angry. Sure, she could have confronted him, but she handled confrontation like most people did dentist appointments—procrastination, procrastination, procrastination.
The moment Elsie walked into the restaurant she spotted her friend sitting at the bar.Carla glanced over her shoulder and when she caught sight of Elsie she smiled, big and bright, then waved her over.
“You’re here!” Carla gave Elsie the best hug. “And you’re not wearing overalls. I’m impressed.”
“I might have a light layer of sawdust in my hair, but I wore my new shoes.” Elsie held out her foot and wiggled her leg.
“You look amazing.” Carla turned to the man next to her, who was dressed in a smart-looking suit, tie, and warm smile. “Doesn’t she look amazing.”
Mr.Suit took in Elsie and her dress and smiled a smile that hadInterestedwritten all over it. “Stunning.”
Carla waggled a brow and whispered to Elsie, “He said stunning.”
