“Agreed.”
“Your conscience can rest easy.”
“I don’t want you to feel as if you have to go on Sunday.”
“I want to. You saw the ugly side of my dramatics, I’d like to experience what a normal holiday dinner might entail.”
“Then it’s settled. Now we can order because I’m starving.”
She stood up and walked over to get the menu and brought it back. “I’ll get the beef Wellington special.”
“That sounds good to me,” he said, putting the menu down without looking at it. “No garlic tonight.”
“No,” she said, grinning. “Because I want another kiss.”
“All you had to do was ask,” he said, reaching for her, pulling her across his lap, his mouth landing on hers, her body now lying on his chest.
Not like it had been in bed a few days ago with not a lot of clothes between them, but this was good enough for now.
She easily opened for his kiss, almost being more aggressive than he was.
His fingers slid into her hair, anchoring her head in place, his mouth devouring her as if she was the meal he was ready to consume. No softness. No hesitation. Just raw hunger.
She matched it.
Her body rubbed against his as if her control was slipping out of her grasp.
If he didn’t break their connection soon, she’d be his dinner.
As much as he hungered for her, he was positive she wasn’t ready or willing to give herself.
Pushing would serve no purpose to either of them.
She lifted her head a minute later and laid it against his chest.
“Arik?”
“Natalie?”
“Why is it you that brings these things out of me?”
“I don’t know,” he said. “Why is it you that does it to me?”
“Really?” she asked, pushing back. “You’re not just saying that?”
“No.”
She moved off his lap, giving them both the space to gather themselves. He missed the contact, but more would come.
“I guess there are some things we need to talk about. I haven’t wanted to. I told myself I’m going to wait to see where things go.”
“But they are moving faster than you wanted. Or thought? Even imagined?”
“That’s it,” she said.
“Glad to know it’s not a solo feeling.” He picked the phone up and placed their dinner order, then walked to the little kitchen. “Do you want a glass of wine?”
“No,” she said, laughing. “I’m laying off the wine for a bit. I need to keep my wits about me.”
