“Sure. I’ve got some time.”
“If you want, you can join my chill Friday evening, which includes a glass of Aperol in my backyard. I was reading, but you’re much better company thanMoby Dick.”
“Was that a compliment?” I asked.
She laughed. “Yeah, it was. I don’t know what got into me today. I figured I should try some classic literature. It’s been gathering dust ever since my mom got me a copy.”
“What do you usually read?” I watched her carefully open the box of pralines.
“Smut.”
I frowned. “What’s that?”
She quirked a brow at me. “You don’t know what smut is?”
“I don’t read books so much.”
“Romance novels.”
I nodded. “Right.”
She popped a praline into her mouth. “They have lots and lots of sexy scenes.”
Hearing the word “sexy” out of her mouth while she was eating a praline was like lighting a match and throwing it on a pile of dry wood. My imagination caught fire.
“These are so unusual.” The look on her face was hard to decipher.
“Unusual good or unusual bad?”
Her eyes lit up. “They’re very good! Want to try one?”
“Why not?” I was curious as to how Bailey’s experiment would taste.
I ate it quickly, and it was delicious. Maybe even one of my favorites.
Piper ate another as she led me through her house. I closed the distance between us, putting a hand on her waist. She stopped walking, and I brought my mouth to her ear.
“I’ve been looking forward to this moment all day.”
“So have I,” she whispered.
“Ever since I left last night, you’ve been constantly on my mind.”
She turned her head slowly, and I kissed one corner of her mouth. Goose bumps peppered the skin on her arms.
“Don’t make me drop the box of pralines again,” she warned, but she didn’t pull away.
I smiled against her mouth. “That would just give me a reason to drop by again with a fresh box.”
“You don’t need an excuse to drop by. You’re welcome anytime. Charlotte too.”
That open invitation did nothing to curb my imagination, but inviting my daughter warmed my heart.
“Do you want to enjoy an Aperol with me?” she asked as she headed outside.
“No alcohol for me. I’m driving.”
“Ah, right.”
