“Don’t do that. Don’t stand here and try to convince me of something I’m not interested in or ready for.”
“You’re more than ready, Sage,” Lenny added.
“She sure looks ready and ripe for the taking,” Bill stated. They all began to yell at him but not before Sage shoved him, causing him to nearly fall backward into his own car.
“Holy shit, Sage. I didn’t mean it.” He smiled but then his eyes widened.
“Is everything all right over here?”
Sage felt the large presence behind her right before Bill’s eyes widened. Turning toward the voice she immediately recognized as Dale’s, she looked way up at his face, and the man looked ready to kill.
/> “Everything is just fine. We were fooling around. Do you know the guys?” She introduced them to Dale, who from where she stood, smelled incredible and looked just as appealing. His dark jeans with the tapered legs really accentuated his muscular thighs. He had a firm, flat waist, the T-shirt he wore was tight against his bulging muscles. The man was a work of art. She had to get her shit together or he would catch her drooling and that would make him think she was accepting to his so-called claiming. Not likely.
Davie introduced them. Thank God, because right now, standing in only her sneakers with Dale nearly pressed against her back, she felt so feminine and small.
When his large hand moved to her waist as he reached around her to shake hands with Bill, she felt her pussy clench and her nipples harden. She was definitely attracted to him. What woman wouldn’t be? The fear that hit her made her instantly feel breathless. She moved to the side, causing his warm, possessive hand to leave her waist as she bent down to grab a drink.
“So, we’re going to head to Francine’s. Do you want to join us, Sage?” Bill asked her. He was trying to give her a way out of this. That was exactly why she put up with his bullshit. Bill was really a good guy deep down under his perverted mind.
“I was actually going to ask her the same thing,” Dale said with that expression of his that was beyond stern.
“Well then, I guess we’ll see you during the week. Remember about Friday night. I’m driving,” Bill said.
“Yeah, we’ll pick you up around eight. Is that good?” Corey asked, and she nodded her head, and then waved good-bye to Davie and Lenny.
Dale’s hands went to her hips as he pressed her back against his front and whispered into her ear. “You aren’t really going out with them, are you?”
She was struck by the validation that Dale turned her on. He made her feel things. Things she was resistant to.
“That’s really none of your business, Dale,” she whispered, half wanting to challenge him.
He slowly turned her around so that she faced him. His dark green eyes held hers firmly. “Oh, it is my business, and Virgo’s and Matt’s and Quaid’s. Now why don’t we walk a little and then maybe grab a bite to eat for lunch.”
“It’s too early for lunch. Besides, I just finished working out at the dojo and I’m jogging home.”
He reached up and gently brushed the back of his hand against her cheek.
“You do look a little flushed.”
She felt her cheeks grow warmer. Dale was good. Way beyond experienced. That was a definite.
“I need to go. Maybe another time.”
“How about I give you a ride back to the cottage and you can change and we can go somewhere else for lunch? By that time it will be well past noon?”
“What makes you think that I would allow you, a man I don’t really even know, to come back to my cottage with me and wait while I’ll shower and change? Do I look like I was born yesterday?” she asked, placing her hands on her hips.
He looked her body over. “My intentions are noble, Sage.”
She felt her cheeks grow warm again at the way he held her gaze.
He stepped closer and ran the back of his thumb gently against her lower lip as he held her gaze. “I like you and want to get to know you better.”
He leaned forward and pressed his lips gently to hers. She closed her eyes, shocked at how firm and good his lips felt. But it was a quick kiss. One meant to tease her, tantalize her taste buds, and make her lips tingle for more of him.
He stepped back and looked at his watch. “I’m meeting Wyatt at the department, then I’ll head to your place to pick you up for lunch. Is an hour enough time to get your pretty little self ready, darling?” he asked.
She was speechless, and he smiled, and then winked. “See you in an hour.”