Page 72 of Blind Date with a #FORMERPLAYER
Breaking the kiss, I gasp for breath at the unexpected but welcome onslaught. Looking into my eyes, he gives me a crooked smile. “Sorry. I couldn’t help myself. You wore this dress on purpose didn’t you?” he asks eliciting a giggle.
“Dinner is almost ready. I’m not the best cook, but I do okay.”
He inhales deeply. “What are we having? Fish? It smells delicious.”
“Thank you. Yes, you’re right. I made salmon with rice pilaf and sautéed broccoli and garlic. Why don’t you sit down at the table and I’ll bring it out,” I suggest, nibbling on my lower lip.
“Let me help you.”
I shake my head. “Not today. I want to do this for you. You’ve made me so many meals and I’ve helped you with a few, but it’s my turn this time.”
Grinning, he agrees, “Okay, I enjoy doing things for you though. You don’t ever owe me anything.”
“I know.”
“How about I’ll stay here for a kiss.”
I snort and cover my mouth. “Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. I love your laugh,” he claims, only making me laugh harder. “It’s cute.”
Pushing up on my tiptoes, I give him a chaste kiss. “There’s your kiss,” I taunt, spinning away.
Chuckling, he says, “That’s not nearly enough.”
The buzzer goes off on the oven. “Too bad. You’re going to have to wait. I’m not about to let dinner burn.”
A few minutes later, I return to the table, setting a plate in front of him and another directly across the table. “This looks and smellsincredible, Layla.” I sit down, watching him as he takes a bite, his eyes lighting up. “Wow, this is so good.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
“Thank you. Can I ask what the special occasion is?”
“Does it have to be a special occasion to do something nice?”
“No, it’s better when it’s not.” My stomach twists at his words. “So, where is your brother tonight?” he asks, giving me a reprieve.
“He went to Las Vegas for the night.”
“Seriously?” He arches his eyebrows in surprise.
“Yeah, he’s meeting up with a couple of his teammates.”
“So, I have you for the entire night without the risk of someone walking in on us?”
My cheeks flush, and I swallow the salmon in my mouth. “I guess you could say that.”
We finish eating and he steps around the table, holding out his hand. “Dance with me?”
“What?”
“You have music on. Dance with me, please.”
I grasp his hand and he playfully jerks me into him. Laughing, I stumble forward. His palm splays across my back, his pinkie dusting my ass. My hand rests on his hard chest, the feel of his thundering heartbeat causing my fingers to tingle.
We sway back and forth, pinpricks spreading across my skin and my chest tight. When I’m close to him like this, it’s hard to focus on anything but how I’m feeling. He spins me around and brings me back to him once again.
Reaching up, his hand gently grips my ponytail, tilting my head back until I meet his smoldering gaze. He lowers his head, eliminating the space between us. Our mouths move in time with the music and I melt into him. Gasping, he breaks our kiss. His lips trail down my neck giving me goosebumps.
