He held his hand out, and she placed her hand in his. “And you’re gorgeous. You’re a goddess in that dress. Holy shit, Jessica. How did I get so lucky?”
The heat on her cheeks was instant as she allowed him to pull her into his arms. Closing her eyes, she breathed in the aromatic woody fragrance of his cologne and couldn’t help but swoon. His long hair was tied back, and her hand lingered on his smooth cheek.
“There are some little girlies inside that would like to see you.”
“Oh?”
“Mmhmm.” She couldn’t help but run her fingertips around his exposed mouth, his skin soft and warm.
“Well, we better get inside before we lose control out here.”
Jessica was enthralled, watching his mouth, and didn’t hear his last sentence.
“Jessica?” His eyebrow rose as he looked at her with humor tingeing his expression.
“Oh. Yes. Let’s go inside.”
Walking hand in hand, Jessica watched her daughters’ reaction to Tim. It was almost comical the way they stared at him with identical, wide, blue eyes.
“Girls? What do you think of Tim all dressed up? Doesn’t he look handsome?”
Jennifer broke the silence. “I can see your face,” she said, matter-of-factly.
“Oh, yeah? Well, what do you think? Do you like my face?”
“I like your face,” Jill offered quickly.
Tim knelt as Julia approached him, her big eyes taking in his entire look. Reaching her tiny hand up to his cheek, she touched his skin and immediately smiled. He looked up at Jessica and grinned. “I take that as a like too.”
Brushing his index finger across her cheek, he stood tall and sighed, as if he were relieved. It would have been Jessica’s worst nightmare if the girls had cried and wailed at the sight of his shaved face. They were more curious than anything. Baby Jo-Jo was the funniest, clinging to Luanna’s shoulder. Every time Tim made eye contact with the toddler, she would shyly bury her head in the crook of Luanna’s neck. Edging himself closer, he tapped her shoulder, making her giggle.
“What’s wrong, Little Bit? You don’t like me anymore?” he teased, trying hard to lock eyes with her while playing their sweet little game.
Jessica kissed each petite daughter on the head, anxious to get to the club. “Y’all be good tonight. Mama will be back later.” She grabbed a small beaded clutch from the island. “We won’t be too late, Luanna. And remember, once the girls go to bed, if you get tired, please make yourself at home and spend the night in the guest room.”
Luanna’s expression was kind. “I appreciate that. I’m a night owl, so I should be fine.”
“You have my number. We’ll be right around the corner at the club.” They started to walk toward the front door with the kids following behind.
“Have a wonderful evening, Mrs. Kaufman—I mean, Jessica. And Mr. McGill!”
The two eyed each other perceptively. “Good night!”
After several kisses were blown among waves and high-pitched good-byes, the front door finally shut, and Jessica turned and gathered her skirt to walk down the steps. The wind had picked up and blew her hair back across her shoulders as she noticed the car parked in front of her.
“What is that?” Her shock was evident in the tone of her voice.
Tim opened the passenger side door of the black sports car and held his hand out. “Get in.”
Tentatively, she gripped his fingertips and allowed him to help her into the seat. “Seriously, what kind of car is this?”
“It’s an Audi R8,” he chuckled, making sure the long, flowy skirt of her gown was tucked inside the car before he shut the door. When he came around the other side and lowered his large frame into the front seat, she stared at him in amazement as the LCD digital instrument cluster highlighted his chiseled face.
“What?” he asked, revving the 5.2-liter engine. A familiar tune sung by Van Morrison seeped out of the speakers.
“You’re just full of surprises tonight, aren’t you?”
“What do you mean? Did you expect me to pick up the most gorgeous girl on the planet in a pick-up truck?” Tim maneuvered the car onto the street, and it purred along the asphalt.
