Page 23 of Lessons in Love
She pulls two glasses from where they hang upside down inside a cabinet before returning to the wine and pouring. Shesets a glass in front of me and waits. “I hope you like it. I asked a wine guy to help me at the liquor store. He said it would be a good pairing with lasagna.”
“A sommelier?”
“No, just the guy who owns the corner shop down by my work.”
Swirling it around from the base of the glass, I can’t stop from smiling. “You didn’t have to do all this, but please know, I think it’s very thoughtful.”
“I’m asking a lot of you. The least I can do is get you drunk first.” She laughs at her own joke.
It was funny, but that she enjoyed it so much is funnier, so I laugh in response. “So you’re trying to butter me up or get me drunk?”
“Maybe both.”
“What exactly do you have in mind?”
“I think I’ll feed you, and keep your glass full. Let you relax while I clean up after. And then hopefully we get started.”
“I meant the lessons, not how you plan to take advantage of me.” I take my first sip of the wine after letting it breathe, although not quite as long as I should. “I’m not as easy as you seem to think.”
“Really? We were in your office not two hours after meeting.”
“I found you adorably fascinating.”
She can only hold our locked eyes a few seconds more before her gaze lowers to the dish on the counter. “Are you hungry?”
“Famished.”
She looks up and her tongue dips out to wet her lower lip before it tugs under her teeth. She doesn’t realize how sexy she really is—a bombshell that hits you when you’re weak. The air is noticeably thicker. She exhales a heavier breath, but this time her eyes stay on mine. “Lasagna?”
Slowly, I come around the counter and stand next to her. She leans her hip against the counter, facing me, and I say, “Lesson one. The art of flirting.”
“I told you the other night that I’m not a total virgin. I’ve had dates. I’ve kissed plenty of men. I’ve made out with them.”
“This isn’t about sex or making out. This is an art form. If you want my help, and I really hope you do, then we start from the beginning.”
Tucking some hair behind her ear, I let my gaze drift to her lips and then lower, running over every inch of her without touching her at all. Her sweater is thin as well as her bra, her nipples hardening before me. The deep V displays her delicate neck and teases me with a peek at her collarbone. I’m tempted to run my tongue along the curve of her neck and lower. It’s hard to hold back after tasting heaven.
When she raises her arm across her body and holds onto the opposite shoulder, I whisper, “No. No hiding from me.”
“But—”
“No. Vulnerability is sexy. It’s genuine and real. You’re presenting yourself to me, showing me what’s in here.” I rub her temple gently before taking her hand and kissing the palm.
“What do you see?”
“I see the shy girl who hides behind bulky suits and numbers. I also see the woman who wants those layers peeled away and her body bare.”
She’s breathless, her chest rising and falling quickly. “I thought we were going to flirt.”
“Flirting is foreplay. Are you turned on?”
Her gaze lowers this time, and my body awakens in reaction. I don’t hide my erection this time. I want her to see what she does to me. I want her to know how much she turns me on. Reaching for my wine glass, I take it while picking up hers. I hand it to her and make a toast, “To good wine and even bettercompany.” Our glasses clink together and our gazes hold while we drink. “Let me serve you dinner.”
“But I thought I would.”
“You made it and brought it over here. Let me do something for you.”
“You are, Hardy. You’re helping me so much. Lowry will not be able to turn me down. I just know it.”
