Page 46 of Your Two Lips
“How about this slate gray one?” She lifted it to my face, brushing her fingers against my jaw as she licked her lips. Alex cleared his throat behind us, breaking the spell.
“Hey, Angela, how did it go?” Emily said as they looked through the other gear on display. My eyes followed Emily’s fine ass.
Alex punched my shoulder and pointed to the street taco food truck. “You want? I’m gonna grab a few of those in a minute.”
“Nah. We ate already.” I grabbed the shirt Emily suggested as well as the green one for her while Alex looked at the selection for himself. My interest in this race or anything other than Emily naked was waning.
Standing near the cash register, I waited my turn to pay. I watched two guys strike up a conversation with Angela and Emily about the bike accessories for sale. Angela flirted with the taller one, but Emily remained cool, polite. That smile she gave him was not the one she gave me. My heartbeat skipped. I coughed to prevent actually beaming stars out of my eyes like a cartoon.
“So, Emily?” Alex nodded in her direction.
“Yep.”
“She’s not giving anybody else the time of day. Is that because of you?”
“I hope so.” My grin split my face, and I didn’t even care.
“I’d say it is. That guy’s good-looking, and she barely sees him.” I wanted to pound my chest and scoop her over my shoulder. This woman could have anyone, and she was going home with me tonight. I was truly grateful to whatever higher power brought her into my life.
An hour later, everyone from our regular riding group, including Dan and Carrie, were hanging out with beers awaiting the end of the last heat. Win or lose, we did well, and I had to admit, this had been fun. The fear didn’t win, and I would race again if Emily was with me. Hell, I’d do anything with Emily beside me.
The leader board lit up. Angela and Alex had won our bracket and were headed to that Mariners’ game soon. Emily and I came in a respectable third place.
“We did it!” She threw her arms around me, and I lifted her off the ground. She didn’t seem at all disappointed it wasn’t first place. We selected our prize, a gift certificate to The Lodge in Woodinville, the heart of Washington wine west of the Cascades, or so it said. Spending that certificate would be one of many things to come with Emily.
“Thank you for partnering with me. I had a great time,” she said.
I moved in closer. “It was my pleasure.” I cupped her jaw and brushed away a few drops of dried mud from her cheek. I seriously considered kissing her in front of everyone.
Dan peered over Emily’s shoulder; his eyebrows raised in question. I smiled. I wanted to shout it from the rooftops. This woman was with me.
“The Boathouse for a celebration dinner?” Carrie asked our group from Dan’s side.
I looked at Emily. I was eager to be alone with her but willing to follow her lead for now.
She kept her focus like a laser on me. “I could use a drink and a nice dinner to get my strength back up.” A seductive smile slid across those sweet lips. She was teasing me, and I loved it.
32
EMILY
I was stillhigh from the race and Finn’s growl when I made that comment about needing to get my strength up. I took my time in the shower then rubbed coconut and honey body cream into my skin. I wanted to be the perfect complement to his rough hands and hard muscles. The silky fabric of my sexiest underwear was thin and delicate, and I chose a camisole instead of a bra, knowing how much Finn liked it when I went without one.
Finn had insisted he would pick me up. “You can have a bourbon or two and not have to worry about driving.” I didn’t argue. He’d spoken with a low rumble in his chest that vibrated through me and lit my blood on fire. I wanted to hear that rumble in my ear, feel it on my skin and between my thighs.
In hopes of an overnight with Finn, I checked my purse to ensure I had extra medicine with me. I was careful to take my antidepressants at the same time every morning. Dressed in a soft and sexy scoop neck sweater and jeans, I dried my hair, and brushed it back until it shone, then added a little powder and lip stain.
A knock on my door, and he was there. His smile and his spicy scent were intoxicating. His broad shoulders and his strength along with the intensity of his gaze, already had heat pooling in my core.
“Emily, you’re beautiful.”
Not “you look beautiful,” he said, “you are beautiful.” There was a difference, and my heart skipped. I had to kiss him. I pressed my lips to his, my tongue darting out for a brief taste. Finn barely breathed. “Thank you. You too,” I said.
The soft blue button-down clung to his shoulders, and his Levi’s showed wear in all the best spots, particularly along his fly.
“Are you ready?”
I swallowed. Was I? “Yess.” Did I sound that breathless in real life or just in my head? I was completely under his spell. His eyes blazed as he took my hand.
