Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 66570 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66570 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
I drew in a deep breath. “I’d like to do the movie night, but I would also like to take you out first. Officially—on a date. I know you said you don’t date much…” I laughed dryly. “I haven’t been on a real date since before Mia was born so I’m pretty rusty, but I would like to take you out.”
“I thought lunch went well as far as undates-dates go,” she said with a smile.
“I think any time spent with you would be good,” I admitted.
“So, you want to go out and test the waters—before having me spend time with Mia?” she asked.
“Yes,” I replied honestly. “Mia—”
She cut me off. “I understand.” She studied me for a moment, coming to a decision. “I would like to go out with you, Simon. So, yes. I accept your offer.”
“Friday?” I asked. “I’ll figure out a nice place. Dinner, maybe a movie.” I paused. “Do people do that for dates anymore?”
“It sounds good to me.” Then her eyes widened. “There is a bar in Evansham—two towns over—they have music on Friday nights. Some local bands that are really good if you prefer. Some nice restaurants there too.”
“Excellent. Any I should avoid?”
She shook her head. “Not that I’ve heard.”
We exchanged cell numbers and agreed to seven o’clock on Friday. I bent to kiss her cheek, just as her head turned. Our mouths brushed, and we both froze. Then she moved, pressing her lips to mine, and I wrapped my arm around her waist, tugging her close, our mouths melded together.
Blistering heat bubbled under my skin at the feel and taste of her. She whimpered as my tongue slid along hers, and she slipped her arms around my neck. I explored her, the heat, the feel of her. How the taste of her coffee and the sweetness of the cheesecake we shared lingered in her mouth. How soft her lips were underneath mine. The thick, silky strands of her hair brushed my hand, and I wrapped my fist around them, enjoying the feel of them on my skin. Imagined how they would feel brushing against my thighs as she rode me with her head tilted back. I kissed her deeper, swimming in the sensations she brought forth. Want and desire. Need and longing. The urge for more. The passion that had lain dormant for so long exploded. I couldn’t get close enough to her. Kiss her hard enough to satisfy my desire. Every second felt like an eternity, yet it wasn’t enough. My body was on fire, my cock hard and aching. I wanted to pick her up and find her bed. Throw her onto the mattress and follow her down. Strip off the fabric separating us and bury myself inside her. Take her until she screamed my name in release.
I pulled back with a gasp before I did exactly that. She opened her eyes, the blue darker, her mouth swollen, her breathing coming fast. I traced her mouth with my finger. I had so much I wanted to say, but I couldn’t.
“Thank you for lunch,” she whispered.
“If that was thanks for lunch, I can’t wait until dinner,” I quipped.
She bit the end of my finger, and I laughed, my breath stuttering as she swiped her tongue over the end.
“Little vixen,” I murmured, bending and kissing her again. Then I straightened and picked up the bag of groceries at my feet.
She watched me, her gaze all at once anxious and tender. I pressed one more kiss to her mouth. “Friday,” I said. “I’ll call before if that’s okay.”
“I look forward to it.”
I walked away before I did something foolish, like call Holly and ask her to keep Mia, then follow through with my thoughts of carrying Amy down the hall.
I had to take this slow.
But I stopped before I turned the corner and looked back. Amy was watching me, a small smile on her face. She had her fingers pressed against her mouth as if keeping the feel of my lips there.
I winked as I went around the corner. I liked knowing she was watching me.
Suddenly, I could hardly wait until Friday.
AMY
Simon left, and I shut the door, leaning against the hard wood.
What the hell just happened?
Running into him at the grocery store wasn’t surprising. It was a small town with only one larger place to shop. I ran into a lot of people there.
But they weren’t Simon.
I had met Holly the first week I was in Cliff’s Edge. Our carts literally ran into each other’s in the store, and we got to talking. We became fast friends. After meeting Evan, I became close with the whole family, and I was always invited to their barbecues and family dinners. She had told me about the ex-brother-in-law showing up, and I was intrigued but only because his story was different. Few men would choose to be a single dad. At least, the ones I knew.