I chance another glance at Dallas to find him watching me with a wrinkled brow. I hope to god he can’t read my mind.
A few weeks ago, Dallas could have smiled and flung his arm around my shoulders, and I would have tipped my head back and told him he was a goober. Now, my nipples perk up like they’re getting ready for a tongue lashing, and I get nervous butterflies in my belly. Except they’re not in my belly. They’re in my pants.
When Ryder is staying with us, it’s more like the old days. We play games and watch stupid shows, and I try my best to make them both eat salad. But when he’s gone, the tension in the air is harder to ignore. I’m sure I’ll get over it. Lord knows, I have to.
I blame it on that kiss. And here we are, back at the scene of the crime.
“We can go if you want.” Dallas’s words bring me upright.
“No! Sorry. Didyouwant to leave?” This is dumb. I’m letting my worries become such a distraction that I’m horrible company.
“Not unless you do?” He looks uncertain.
What is happening here? Since when are we so polite and deferential with one another? This has got to stop right now.
My smile is sincere now, and my focus is firmly on Dallas. “I was just up in my head. It’s nothing.” I shake my head. “Did the client love the table?”
Dallas’s grin is back. “Of course he did.” He laughs at my eye roll. “He did say it was worth the drive from OKC to pick it up, so I’ll take that as a win. And now I can pay the electric bill this month.”
He’s kidding—his creations actually go for increasingly high amounts these days—but I’m pleased for him. He gets to do what he loves for a living, and not a lot of people can say that. It does remind me of something, though.
“Hey, you still haven’t let me pay for anything at your place.” Despite my bringing this up numerous times, I’ve gotten nowhere with it. When I finally suggested I move back to my place, it didn’t go over any better.
“Last I checked, you were still paying for your own place. No need for you to pay twice.”
One of the other waitresses drops our drinks off, and I lean in to keep our conversation private. The band hasn’t started yet, so it’s best to keep it down. “At least sleep in the damn bed, Dallas.You’re walking around like an ogre who just escaped a dungeon, all hunched over from that couch.” Okay, that’s a lie, but I have seen him rubbing his back lately, even though he fibs and says it’s nothing.
“You’re not sleeping on the couch.” His tone is firm.
“Then we can share the bed. It’s a king. There’s room forthreepeople in that thing.” Now, why in the hell did I just suggest that?
Dallas appears to have the same second thoughts. “I’m not sure that’s the best idea. You don’t seem to own any pajamas that aren’t X-rated.”
“I’ll buy some.”
“Please don’t.” He winks, and I just know I’m blushing.
“Here’s your hummus, hon.” Norinne sets the platter on the table between us and dashes off.
Dallas grabs his beer, slides out of the booth, and crosses to my side. When I look up at him with a raised eyebrow, he motions for me to scoot over. So, I do, but I do it laughing to myself.
“Are your hands so tired from sanding that you need me to feed you?” I ask as he settles in.
Instead of answering, he snakes one arm around my shoulders and cups my jaw with the other hand.
Just as I open my mouth to ask what he’s doing, I spot Shane watching us from the far side of the bar. He has a beer in one hand, the other shoved into his jeans pocket. And from the expression on his face, I can tell there’s no way in hell Dallas will be letting me move out anytime soon.
It’s with that thought in my head that I throw all common sense out the window and close the distance to meet Dallas’s lips with my own.
Eh, my apartment isn’t really that great anyway.
The second our lips touch, fire races down my spine and swirls low in my belly. I’m right back on that dance floor, immediately lost in Dallas. If my kiss surprised him, it doesn’t show. His fingers delve into my curls and grip the back of my head, pulling me closer. He skims the tip of his tongue across my bottom lip and slides it inside when I let out a quiet whimper.
If we were standing, I know for a fact my knees would buckle right now, just like I know Dallas would catch me before I fell. I bring my hand up to curve around the side of his neck, pressing the pads of my fingers into his warm skin. His whiskers tickle my chin as he angles for better access, making me burrow closer.
Amber and cardamom, mixed with a woodsy note, fill my nose as I draw in a breath to remain conscious. I shiver when Dallas deepens the kiss and pulls firmly on my hair to angle me again. I fist his shirt and swallow his groan, starting to lose control.
It’s only when I shift to get a knee under me and climb onto his lap that Dallas pulls back, breath labored and eyes drunk with lust.
