She blinks at me like she’s just woken up from a dream.
“We can stop if you’re not ready. But if you don’t want to stop, I’m taking it all the way. I’m about ready to burst, sweetheart.”
She peers down at my jeans. They’re bulging at the seams. Her eyes double in size as she sees what I’m keeping at bay. “Oh, um, I, um, don’t know,” she says, blinking.
Not knowing is as good as saying she’s not ready. I give her a gentle kiss first on her lips, and then her nose. “We can wait, MacKenzie. This isn’t a one-time thing for me. Is it for you?”
I watch her swallow, her nervousness so thick you could cut it with a knife. She shakes her head as she responds, “No.”
“Good. I’d like to see you again.” I reluctantly pull my fingers from her moist heat. I’d love to taste her, but I’m not sure what she’ll do. Next time. “What are you doing next Friday night?”
Her crystal-blue eyes look upward like she’s trying to remember. Expelling a deep breath, she replies, “Nothing.”
My hand is still under her dress, but my palm is now running up and down her thigh. It’s a little distracting for me, so I know it must be for her. “Good. Do you get off work at five?”
She nods. “Yeah.”
“Great, I’ll pick you up at work.” I remove my hand from beneath her dress and pull her to me. I kiss her softly but with a little tongue, and then I stand. “I’ll let myself out. Please lock up after me.”
“I will.”
She follows me out to the main room. I pull my jacket on and make my way up the steps. I duck again, avoiding that pipe, pull the sticky door open, and step out into the snow. I turn and smile. “See you Friday.”
“Okay,” she whispers as she gives me small wave.
“Oh, before I forget, here.” I hand her a business card. “My cell is on the back. Will you send me a quick text so I have your number? You know, just in case.” I wink.
“Sure.”
“Talk to you soon, MacKenzie.”
“Bye, Sam.”
I watch her shut the door and listen for the lock to engage. Once that happens, I start the walk back to the car, pulling out my phone and hitting the flashlight app. I scan the snow and see our footprints from earlier and one other set that starts out at the front gate and winds to the back of the house but in a larger arc away from the house, almost like they were avoiding the light from inside. The steps lead right to her front door, but I’m sure it’s nothing. Yeah, I’m sure it’s nothing.
What the hell am I saying? I’m a security expert, and this is not fuckingnothing.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
OUT OF MY LEAGUE
Oh,hell. I’m in way over my head. That guy is one hundred percent man. I’m used toboys. Who am I kidding? I’m not even used to boys. So, yeah, I’m in way over my head. Not to mention the fact that I was practically mute the entire night. That’s not me—I’m the chatty one. I’m the goofy one. Something about that man makes my brain stop working and my lady parts start vibrating.
“Holy moly, the man and his damn hands.” I nearly agreed to do the deed, and I haven’t done that for… for years. Maybe I should have done it tonight. Perhaps it’s time to see if I can remember what it’s like to feel pleasure from a real man and not my BOB (battery-operated boyfriend). Yeah, that’d be nice.
Before I lose my nerve, I grab my ancient cell phone and send him a text.
Me:Here’s my number. Thank you for dinner, Sam. I had a lovely time.
A lovely time? Who says that stuff? “Ah yes, I had a simply delightful time when you put your hand on my boob and in my undies.Simply delightful,” I mock myself. “Idiot.”
Unknown:I had a great time, too, MacKenzie. I’ll talk to you soon.
See, that’s how you’re supposed to do it. This guy knows how to date. Jeez, he’s so out of my league. I quickly change his contact name to Mr. Three o’Clock and get ready for bed. “Oh, shit. I’d better call Lauren. She’ll kill me. I haven’t talked to her at all today.”
Crawling into my own bed, I press Lauren’s number. It’s late, but she’ll be up.
“What?” she croaks.
