“You told me to choose.”
“I’m up to my elbows in chicken parts. Choose another day.”
“What about tomorrow?”
“The diner’s open tomorrow so can you wait until Friday evening?”
“I suppose.”
“Don’t pout,” she said, walking to the sink to rinse her hands.
He chuckled and walked over to join her. “Is there anyone else here?”
She shook her head, picked up a nearby towel, and dried her hands. “Why?”
He leaned in and gently brushed his lips across hers. “Because I’m desiring you, and I want to give you a taste of how much...”
She trembled sweetly but didn’t pull away. “Your incorrigible side is showing again.”
He drew her close until her warmth was flush against him and his arm across her spine kept her there. She was tempting, soft and so sweet, he felt as if he’d died and gone to heaven. His lips whispered over her jaw, and the sound of her breathless response thrilled him. The first time he kissed her had left him wanting more, but this slow unhurried taste of desire made him want to undo the tiny buttons of her blouse and savor the heat he knew he’d find against her silken skin. He ran a possessive hand up her spine while he coaxed her mouth to open so he could slide his tongue boldly inside and mate with hers lazily, wantonly. She groaned with pleasure and he couldn’t wait to treat her body to the same fiery dance. “I want to touch you, Eddy.” Putting actions to his words, he moved his palm over the nipple of her breast. “Here.” Unable to resist, he lowered his head and bit the nipple hidden beneath the fabric of her blouse, and she crooned raggedly. He gave the other nipple the same heated salutation, then recaptured her lips while his fingers played with the now hardened buds of her breasts. More than anything he wanted to undress her and fully explore her beauty, but he reminded himself that they were in Sylvie’s kitchen. That joy would have to wait. “I should go before Sylvie comes home and finds you spread out on the table like dessert.” He dipped his head low again for another taste of her breasts, and when he raised it her head was back, her eyes were closed, and her lips were parted passionately.
As if she’d only then processed his words, her eyes opened sluggishly. “On the table?”
He kissed her deeply. “Yes, on the table.”
“Why would you kiss me on the table?” she whispered.
He smiled at the innocence the question held. “Because desire sometimes happens in the oddest places, little queen. You’ll see.” He traced her lips. “Did you enjoy yourself?”
“Yes.”
“I did, too. I’m looking forward to our one evening.” No way was it going to be a one-night interlude. If he had his way it was going to be the first in a lifetime of passion-filled nights.
The sound of the door closing in the front room made them both look up. Rhine gave her a quick kiss, then hastily returned to his seat at the table.
When Sylvie entered the kitchen, Rhine was studying the papers he’d brought for her to sign and Eddy was wiping down the counter with the dish rag.
He spoke first. “Good evening, Sylvie.”
“Rhine.”
Eddy asked, “How’d the birth go?”
“Fine. No complications.”
Rhine knew that if he stood, Sylvie would see the proof of what they’d been doing, so he stayed seated. That small short taste of Eddy had left him hard with arousal, and Eddy looked like she’d been thoroughly kissed—and she had.
For a few long moments, Sylvie took them in silently—first Eddy and then him, saying finally, “I hope the two of you know what you’re getting into.”
Neither of them responded.
She asked him, “Are those the agreement papers I need to sign?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll look them over and get them back to you as soon as possible.”
“Thanks.”