“I’m sorry. I know you’re trying to show me your work but being this close to you is killing me. I can’t stop thinking about our kiss on Saturday night or how badly I want to do it again.”
She twists to look at me, and her eyes lock with mine. “It’s all I’ve thought about too. And I’m dying to do it again.”
“When?”
She grins and bites her bottom lip as she looks away. “I don’t know.”
She looks and sounds so timid. Not at all like a woman who freely gives herself to men. And it’s sexy as fuck.
“It has to be soon. I don’t think I can bear to wait.”
A shrug accompanies her wide grin. “You tell me when.”
Frankee jolts when there’s a knock on the door. “Hey early bird.”
“Hey Dad.”
I’m too close. I should roll my chair away from her, but that would probably look suspicious. “Looks like y’all are getting an early start this morning.”
“Yeah. I was just showing Mr. Beckman the new website I’m building.”
Mr. Beckman. Hearing her call me that is a little bit of a turn-on.
“What do you think of my little girl, boss? She’s something, right?”
That is a loaded question. “Frankee is a talented designer. I’m very happy with my choice to take her on as my intern.”
“I knew she’d do a good job for you.”
“She does a great job just like her dad.”
“Appreciate that, boss. Great music choice by the way. Did Frankee tell you that she saw Journey in concert this weekend?”
“She did. I was pretty jealous.”
“You’re a fan?”
“Who isn’t?”
Scott points at me. “I knew I liked you.” He wouldn’t if he knew what I wanted to do with his daughter. “When you get a few free minutes today, can you come to the warehouse and see me for a bit?”
Oh fuck. What’s that about? “Sure.”
Scott winks at Frankee. “See you later, baby girl.”
I wait until I’m certain Scott is gone. “Do you know why he wants to see me?”
“I think it’s going to be about the guy he suspects is stealing.”
“It wouldn’t be the first time we had a thief among us. And it wouldn’t be the first time your dad solved the mystery of inventory gone missing.”
“He’s a sharp guy.”
Scott and I have always clicked. Not to say that he doesn’t with Tap and Stout, but I feel like we’ve always had a good rapport. Conversation comes easy for us.
“I’m glad my dad likes you. Maybe that’ll keep him from killing you if he finds out we’re… kissing or… whatevering.”
“Whatevering? I need specifics on what that includes.”
“You’re so bad.” She shakes her head and turns back to her screen.
We spend the next fifteen minutes looking at every aspect of the new website and I fight the urge to pull her into my office and… do a little whatevering.
“Looks great. I think you can go to work on the new merchandise.”
“Good. I’m anxious to see what I can come up with.”
“I’ll be in and out of the brewery today, but I’m planning to pick you up at twelve.”
“Should I wait for you here?”
“Yeah. I’ll text you when I’m ready.”
“Okay. I’ll be waiting.”
I’m on pins and needles for the next four hours. I cycle through an array of emotions. Nervous. Excited. Frightened. Anxious.
And happy. Can’t forget happy.
Porter: I’m back. Waiting for you in my parking spot.
Oh my goodness. My stomach is in huge knots.
Frankee: Ok. On my way out.
I wonder where he’s taking me today. I wouldn’t mind that vegan cafe again. The food was delicious. And the atmosphere was calm and quiet. Being in that tall booth made it feel like we could have a private conversation without everyone around us hearing what we had to say.
I nearly come to a screeching halt when I meet Molly in the hallway on my way out the door. “Going out for lunch today?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“My phone says it’s eighty-six degrees so try not to melt while you’re gone.”
“I’ll try my best.”
“Porter’s probably got the air turned up, so it’ll be cool when you get in his truck.” Molly winks and I nearly shit my shorts.
I say nothing, neither confirming nor denying that I’m leaving with him. But she knows something is happening between us. I know she knows. And I hope she keeps it to herself.
I dart to Porter’s truck and climb inside. “Sorry you had to open your own door. I thought it might bring unwanted attention if I got out and opened it for you.”
I almost feel like I need to duck down before we’re seen. “We don’t need any extra suspicion.”
“Extra?”
“Is Molly a busybody?”
Porter grins. “No. I feel certain she knows just about everything that goes on in that brewery, but as far as I know she keeps it to herself. But she did give me a warning in regard to you this morning.”
“What kind of warning?”
“She told me that she was watching me.”
If she’s issuing warnings, then she’s probably aware that my dad won’t approve. “She knows we’re whatevering. Do you think she’ll keep that to herself?”
“Whatevering. I love that word; it could mean so many different things.”
Porter doesn’t seem near as worried as me. “Back to Molly. Do you think she will keep our secret?”
“I think so.”
“God, I hope.”
“Don’t worry about Molly. She’s like a second mother to me. She isn’t going to be a problem.”
“That reminds me. How is your mother?”
“Her first treatment is today. They’ve probably already started the chemo.”
I remember that first treatment. I think it was the hardest one. “Is she scared?”
“Yes, but she’s putting on a brave face to make everyone else comfortable. That’s how my mom is about everything. I told her I would come, but she says driving down and missing work is unnecessary.”
“She has your dad, so I tend to agree with her. At least for this one. She might need you later, so you shouldn’t take off too much this early in her treatment.”
“Thank you for that.”
“For what?”
“Making me feel less guilty about not being there today.”
“You can show me gratitude by feeding me. Where are we going?”
“My place. I ran by and picked up a couple of dishes from the vegan cafe.”
“Oh.” The knot in my stomach tightens.
“I hope vegan is okay again. I was under the impression you really liked it when we ate there last week.”
“I loved it, so that works for me.”
Oh my God. Someone needs to explain to me how I’m supposed to eat when I’ll be alone with Porter in his condo. When I know for a fact that he’s going to kiss me. He’s said as much. And there won’t be anyone around to keep us from doing a lot more whatevering.
Porter opens the door and catches me around the wrist as we enter the condo. He’s going in for the kiss first thing.
He pulls me close and then turns us so my back is pressed against the door. “I can’t wait another minute for this.”
His hands cup my face the way they did during our first kiss. Although it’s a repeat move, it’s no less romantic this time around.
I quickly lick my lips and Porter presses his mouth to mine before sucking my bottom lip into his mouth and holding it between his teeth.
So hot and sexy.
I place my hands on his chest and the pec muscles I feel beneath the fabric are rigid. This man works out. A lot. I would love to see all the goodies that are hidden beneath this shirt.