It felt good to laugh about this now. “I’ll live.”
The waiter chose that moment to remove our plates and ask about desert. I wanted to take her to one of the ice cream parlors in the neighborhood and declined for both of us. After he took my card, I leaned forward. “What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream?”
She licked her lips while watching my mouth. “Strawberry?”
Fuck yes.
By the timewe left the restaurant the sun had set and the temperature had dropped quite a bit. Since she’d brought my warm up jacket, I insisted she wear it again as we meandered down the sidewalk. I kept an arm around her though and she didn’t seem to mind.
Holding her like this felt right. Like my arms had been waiting for her all along. It didn’t matter that we’d only met yesterday. Maybe that was why I freaked out so much when I thought she’d lied. And I’d almost fucked the whole thing up.
I pulled her closer and buried my head in her hair. “You smell so good.”
The sound of her sigh drifted up to me. “I have a confession to make.” Ominous words, but the smile she flashed was flirtatious. “I slept with your jacket.”
“Because you were cold?” I teased her.
“Because it smelled like you.” The blush creeping up her neck made her even prettier. Before she could say another word, I’d backed her up against a large oak tree beside us.
Both hands at her waist, I couldn’t wait a second longer to kiss her again. I craved this. I craved her.
The scent of ouzo, spices and woman assaulted my senses when my mouth settled over hers. I rocked my hips against her and delicate arms crept around my neck.
When a car drove by and the driver laid on his horn, Holly jumped. I released her mouth and buried my face in her neck. “I have ice cream at home.”
“Strawberry?” She asked.
I didn’t.
I think I had Chocolate fudge and Pralines and Cream. I’d bought the few quarts a few months ago when my nephews stopped by.
“Do you have a second favorite?”
“I don’t know, Hunter.” And then she laughed. “I was pretty set on strawberry.”
I moaned.
“I’ll stop on the way home.” I vowed.
But she took hold of my face and pressed her lips against mine again. “I’m kidding.” She spoke the words into my mouth. “I’m full anyway.”
“Good girl.”
She hesitated at those words. “Can we watch a movie?”
Anything just to be alone with her. “Whatever you want babe.”
“Except strawberry ice cream.” She laughed again.
“We’ll see.”
Before our decisionto detour, I’d been walking both of us toward where I remembered the ice cream parlor was. When I finally got myself under control, keeping my hand around her waist, I stepped back and tried to find my bearings.
Where the fuck had I parked?
Other side of the restaurant. South of the restaurant. We’d been walking east. I paused and reconsidered. Or had I parked north of the restaurant?
Shit balls.
