He grinned, then teased, “So you really do like me.”
“I more than like you,” she admitted, feeling a warmth in her heart she’d never felt for anyone but him.
He kissed her again, his lips soft and warm against hers, then looked her in the eye. “I have some really big feelings for you, too.” He brushed his nose against hers and smiled. “Come on. Let me take you home.”
She took his hand and stood with him. “It really is starting to feel like that now.”
He hooked his arm around her waist as they ascended the steep stairs. “That’s good, sweetheart. Next time, you won’t stay away so long, and you’ll have your mom and sister whenever you need them.”
“I’ve missed them, but at the same time I didn’t because I couldn’t go back to that toxic environment. But now, it’s getting to be what I always hoped it would be between us.”
They made it up to the parking lot outside the restaurant.
“They aren’t the only ones who are different. You’ve changed, too, since you left. This is a whole new chapter for all of you.”
“And this time I have you in my life.”
He squeezed her to his side and glanced down at her as they walked to the valet. “Yes. You do. Though I kind of want to keep you all to myself.” He handed the ticket to the valet.
“So you’re not done with me yet?”
“We haven’t even gotten started.”
“Oh, I think we’re off to a very good start.”
He slid his hand down her hip and back up to the small of her back. “Yes, we are. And it’s driving me crazy to know you have nothing on under this skirt.”
“Good. Then you’ll be thinking of me tonight and throughyour meetings tomorrow until you see me again. I’m wearing a dress to the rehearsal, so you’ll be wondering if I’m wearing panties or not.”
“You’re just going to tease me like that?”
“Tempt is more like it. And after the dinner, I’ll be all yours.”
He plastered his hand over her ass and pulled her close. “You’re already all mine, but I like your plan. Just don’t expect me to wait untilafterthe dinner to find out what, if anything, you have on under the dress.” He didn’t give her a chance to respond. His mouth crushed hers in a possessive and passion-fueled kiss that set her whole body on fire. She pressed close to him, feeling his desire, thick and hard against her belly.
“Hey you two, we can’t afford another wildfire in this state,” Maggie teased.
Gray broke the kiss with a disgruntled growl, but came up smiling for Maggie. “I can’t seem to help myself.”
Maggie held Marc’s hand as he handed over his valet ticket to a young man. “We’re going to go start our own fire. See you two tomorrow.”
Rose waved to them and caught the look in Marc’s eyes as he stared back at her. It was one of pure lust.
Gray must have caught the look, too, because he was all of a sudden standing between her and Marc. “Come on, sweetheart, it’s time to go.” He held the car door open for her, took his keys, and tipped the valet for bringing the car around.
She waved to Maggie as they drove away, noting that Marc hadn’t taken his eyes off her. She didn’t like it.
Why won’t he just let it go?
She did and focused on the man who made her feel like she was the most desirable woman in the world, but also like a friend, because it was so easy to talk to him.
“Thank you for another wonderful night.”
Gray glanced over at her long enough for her to see the anger in his eyes. “You’re welcome, sweetheart. I had a really good time with you, too.”
Yes, with her. Not with Marc at their table.
She put her hand on his thigh and rubbed it back and forth. “Don’t let him spoil our night.”