“Reading has been my escape my entire life. I read more than romance novels, but it’s a guilty pleasure. Whenever I need to step out of my real life when it gets stressful, I jump into a world someone else has created.”
“Couldn’t that be just as stressful?”
I lift my shoulder in a half-shrug and smile. It’s not the first time I’ve had this conversation with a non-reader. And I don’t think it’ll be the last.
“No, not really. Not when you can usually anticipate what’s about to happen. Sure, it can frustrate you because the love interest does something stupid, or the female lead makes a crazy assumption and reacts the same way rather than talking it out, but it’s like movies. You like movies, right?”
“Yeah.”
“And you probably anticipate how things are going to go when you watch them, right? There’s conflict that creates tension and suspense, but the ending is usually satisfying.”
“I guess I never thought about it that way.
In my experience, most guys don’t. “Books are just like movies except they’re written and let you play them out in your head rather than watching it on a screen.”
He chews a piece of his steak and thinks about this. “I normally watch action movies—when I actually have time to watch them. I’ve never really been into romances.”
“There’s usually a romantic element in most action movies. LikeDie Hard.John McClane is trying to save everyone in the tower, but especially his wife, Holly. It’s the reason he’s in that position in the first place.”
“I never really paid attention.”
Chuckling, I’m not surprised. “In the end, romance novels are what a lot of women dream of, whether they want to admit it or not. Even when it’s just an alternate universe.”
“How so?”
“Meeting a guy at a time you’re not necessarily looking for him, falling head over heels, and he sweeps you off your feet? The type of love story you tell your grandchildren about. Which is what we all want, isn’t it? To find our happiness?”
“So, does our meeting fall into that?”
Meeting Ken at the coffee shop when my date ran late, only to end up at his place where he cooked steak and vegetable paired with the perfect wine? “Oh, I think so. We definitely have the comedy part down, too. I mean, look at how we met.”
“So, Holly Jordan, what are you looking for in a man?”
Setting down my knife and fork, I lean onto the table. Candles are lit, and he even has a vase of flowers on the buffet next to the dining room table. For someone who doesn’t watch or read about romance, he has a knack for it.
“Well, I’m looking for someone I can share things with. I’m an over-sharer by nature, and I don’t like feeling like I have to keep parts of me locked away. That I’m an embarrassment to the man I’m with.”
“Noted.”
“Um, I’d like a man who is a great kisser, and if he can make amazing coffee, that’s a bonus. Let’s see… Someone I can introduce to my brother. He’s not quite the critic my mother is, but he’s the tough one who never thinks anyone is good enough for me. He’s the only family member I really talk to, so if you get in good with him, you’re golden.”
He smiles and nods. “I’m usually good to take home to meet the family. I’m great with first impressions.”
I believe that. “I also want someone who cares as much about my dreams as his own. I think partnership is very important.”
Ken stands and walks over to my side of the table. Holding out his hand, he smiles. “Would you care to dance?”
This feels like a dream, and I love it. Taking his hand, I let him lead me into the living room. He changes the music to something we can sway to, holds me close, our bodies moving in sync.
He smiles at me as he looks down into my eyes. “This accomplishes one of my goals for tonight.”
“One?”
His tongue slides over his lips, and I tilt my chin up in anticipation. He understands I’m more than willing, and he slowly lowers his lips to mine. The kiss is soft and sweet. Gentle, almost.
As we continue to dance, the kisses intensify, and it’s incredibly sensual. He definitely has the kissing requirement down pat.
“And that’s goal number two,” he whispers when we finally come up for air.
