Page 24 of The Last Date

“Ten seconds,” I growled against her lips, feeling her fingers and knees tighten around me.

Kissing her hard and deep, we were both so excited that I could have easily slipped inside her in a heartbeat.

Forcing myself to pull away, Sasha wouldn’t let me go. “More,” she gasped. “Please.”

Kissing along her cheek, I whispered, “A man can only hold himself back for so long. I’m not taking my sweet angel in a car.”

Opening her door, I stepped out, then helped her tip the seat back up as she quickly buttoned her shirt. “At least, not for the first time,” I grinned. I went back around to my side and got into the driver seat.

“Why are you such a tease?” she asked.

Reaching out to trail my thumb along her bottom lip, her magical eyes were so desperate. Pleading.

“Sasha, my sweet baby. I can’t do anything serious until I know you’re completely in love with me.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

* Sasha *

I felt like I was floating most of the time. My very first boyfriend was absolutely incredible, and I couldn’t believe how attentive and supportive he was.

But a tiny , growing part of me was still irritated that he interfered with my plans with Jason. Sure, it turned out fine, and I was glad he had a date. That wasn’t the point. Was Oakley trying to control me? Was a date with a male friend really such a big deal?

I tried to vent some of it in my journal, but nothing came out right, because nothing made sense. It almost felt like I should be angrier, but after having my mother boss me around my entire life, I was used to it.

Of course, that wasn’t right either. But the happiness that permeated almost every waking moment seemed to sand off the edges.

My boss was still gushing to our regular customers about my massive sale, and I managed to secure two more exclusive artists who would only now show at our gallery.

I got a wonderful text from Jason, saying that his last minute date Carrie was an absolute doll over the phone, and they were going out for a pre-drink before Saturday’s wedding to get to know each other.

Everything was rolling along perfectly.

Friday morning I had a strange warm feeling as I opened the gallery. Instead of going into the back room to turn on the music, I just stepped into the hallway so that I was out of sight.

I managed to step out just as Oakley was setting my coffee and pastry bag on the desk. His handsome grin told me that he didn’t mind being caught. Rushing into his arms, I gave him a big kiss, completely forgetting that I had been wearing lipstick.

“You did that on purpose, didn’t you?” he pretended to grumble, unable to stop smiling.

Digging into the desk drawer, I handed him a tissue.

“You’re just marking me so that other women will know I’ve been kissing hot chicks first thing in the morning,” he laughed.

“Is that what I am?” I said, placing my hand on my hip and flipping my hair. “Some hot chick?”

He wiped his lips, then grabbed me, kissing along my throat. “You’re my hot chick, angel,” he murmured. “Tell me your parents are going to that hospital fundraiser tonight.”

My breath caught as his hand gripped my lower back. His lips meandered to my ear, making me quiver. “Yes. Why?”

“No reason,” he said, releasing me and heading for the door. “I might feel like a swim later.”

I realized that it was absolutely crazy, but for the first time, he let me know about our plans in advance. Maybe I had completely lost my mind, but that felt like a step forward.

A string of new customers kept me busy all day. There were several businessmen looking for new pieces for their offices.

I gave them all plenty of brochures, telling them all about the new artists who were joining the gallery shortly, and inviting them to email me a photo of the space so that I could put together a mock-up of different pieces to help them visualize things in place.

At five o’clock, I expected to see Oakley’s car on the street out front, but there was no sign of him.

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