“I didn’t see too much of your place the last time I was in here. I like it.” He nodded and smiled down at her. “It’s you.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. It’s artsy but not frilly. Everything is practical yet fun. Totally you.”
“Gee. How nice to be called practical. That’s right up there with interesting or being called nice.”
“Ouch. I only meant I liked your place. Touchy, aren’t we?” Instead of sitting next to her on the couch, he took the large chair and sank into it. “Oh wow. This is terrific. I could go to sleep right here.”
A spot she often settled into when needing a rest. The thing practically swallowed her friend Ann whole, but for normal or larger-sized people, like her and Dex, the chair was a thing of beauty. “Did you enjoy ourdate?” she asked, gearing up to taunt him into another kiss.
“I did. Even though you tried to sabotage it by inviting your dad and Bev to stick around, I had fun. Learned a lot about you.” He put his hands behind his head, the king of the manor.
“Like what?”
“Like you’re a pain in the ass to everyone, not just me. Your dad is a hell of a nice guy. Must be sainted after raising you.”
“Asshole.”
“Wait, I’m not done. I also learned that Bev is a genuinely nice lady. I think she suits your dad.”
“She will, but not for long. They never stick with him,” she said, shocked to hear a trace of bitterness in her voice. What was that about? She glanced at the wine and moved her glass aside.
“And I learned that you’re attracted to me and scared because you like me so much. But then, I always knew that.”
Realizing her mouth was open she snapped it shut. “How’s that?”
“Well, you invited your dad over to meet me. Obviously we’re taking things to the next level. Meet the folks—check.”
She rolled her eyes. “I brought him over to save me from you.”
“You were so cute and shy, not wanting to hold hands with me where he could see.”
“I didn’t want to hold hands with you period. Guess what, genius? Dating through blackmail isn’t the same as dating because I like you. There’s a difference.”
“Aha! So you like me.”
“I never said that.”
“Sounded like it.”
“Fuck off.”
“You couldn’t stop yourself from watching me. Oh yeah, baby. I saw you checking me out at dinner. How you watched me chew up my meager slices of pizza—since you stole the other one.” He grinned. “Admit it. You love my mouth.”
“When it’s frickin’ closed,” she muttered, wishing she’d stop blushing around the man.
“I’m not done.”
“I think you are.” She left the couch and launched herself at him.
He caught her with anoof, and she straddled him before he could breathe. With her knees on either side of him, her breasts right in his face, she waited for him to make a move.
She watched him swallow—hard—and slowly lift his gaze to hers. To his credit, he didn’t linger overly on her lips. “Ah, this chair’s occupied.”
“Is it?” She sat over his lap and ground down against him, not surprised to find him aroused. “Hmm. I’m comfy enough. How about you?” She put her hands on his shoulders and rubbed, then moved to his neck. When she caressed his nape, he shivered, and she smiled.
“Christ. Cut that out. This is a friendly date. No sex. Your rules, remember?”
