“There’s just one thing you need to know…”
He took three steps to close the space between us. I watched him move with easy strides. When I felt he was too close for comfort, I stepped backward and eyed him carefully.
“I don’t do rules, Tameka. In fact, you could say that I break all sorts of rules. So do you really want me to stay?” he asked.
Yes. Was it so hard to say?
The way Jeb saw through my smokescreen had me both perplexed and excited. Panting, I spun on my heels and sped-walked back to my room without saying a word. His chuckles could be heard in the background.
Once in my room, I shut the door behind me and fell against it. I had passed off all these rules to him and didn’t know why I wanted to break every one of them before nightfall. But they were for our own good, and I had to keep telling myself that.
***
Channing suggested we all go to a restaurant for dinner. I didn’t want to be a party pooper, so I went along with it. On the ride over, Jeb’s deep voice filled the car as he told stories about different characters that came into his bar. I had to cross my legs to keep my body from reacting to the sound of his masculine voice. I looked out the window the entire way, trying my best to tune him out. I was glad when we finally arrived.
Channing opened the door for Kemara. Jeb rushed around to open my door, but I was out the car when he made it to my side.
“I was going to get that for you, Tameka.”
“Got it,” I said and walked off.
The hostess greeted us and took us to our table that was hidden away in a corner. Jeb slid into the seat next to me, and his woodsy scent teased my senses. I wanted to look up at him, but I would have been done in by both his scent and looks.
I picked up the menu and preoccupied myself. “This looks like a wonderful restaurant,” I said.
“Channing found this place online,” Kemara said. “He always finds good places to eat.” She kissed his cheek, and I returned my attention to the menu.
When I looked up, Jeb was staring at me with questions in his eyes. “Got it memorized?” he asked.
“I know what I want,” I said.
“Are you all ready to order?” the waitress asked.
We placed our orders, and the waitress left. I was grateful when the salads came. It gave me something to focus on other than Jeb. Servers brought our dinner out fifteen minutes later. Kemara and Channing talked about their entrees and fed each other, while Jeb and I ate silently.
“How was your steak?” Jeb aske
d after we’d finished eating dinner.
“It was fine. How was the veal?” I asked.
“It was very good, but that could be because I’m in the best company,” he said, and a piece of my heart melted when he looked at me with his sparkling blue eyes. Just the way he looked at me had me willing to break at least one rule.
“Would you dance with me, my beautiful wife?” Channing asked Kemara.
She giggled and grabbed his hand as he pulled her to her feet. “It would be my honor, my lovely husband,” she said.
“Have you ever seen two people more in love?” Jeb asked as my sister and her husband embraced each other and began dancing.
It was easy to get lost in their love. My eyes were glued to the dance floor, so much so that I didn’t notice Jeb’s hand reaching out to mine.
“Would you like to dance?” he asked.
“No.”
“Come on. Just one dance.”
“No, Jeb. I don’t feel like dancing,” I said.