Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 55667 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55667 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
I’m still coughing, so she pushes back her chair and comes around to my side of the table, patting me heartily on the back.
“Give me your hands!” She yanks the napkin free and moves to stand beside me. She leans in and takes both of my hands in hers, raising them over my head.
Within a few seconds, my lungs are no longer burning, and the coughing has ceased. I’m also staring directly into Skye’s ample cleavage.
“Are you okay?”
“Better than ever,” I tell her chest.
She releases my hands, and her finger rests under my chin, tipping my head up. My eyes are slow to follow. Her cheeks are tinged pink, but her smirk is all-knowing.
I clear my throat and settle a hand on her hip and squeeze. “I really love this dress.”
The fingers of her free hand skim the back of mine. “Down, boy. We still have to make it through dinner.”
I chuckle as she steps back, nearly trips over her own feet, and almost takes out her wine glass. She recovers, though, and settles in her chair without knocking everything to the floor.
“I’m sorry about that. Sometimes words come out of my mouth before I can think them through.” She places her napkin in her lap again and picks up her fork, popping the ring into her mouth.
“It wasn’t an inaccurate observation.” I dip mine in the sauce and chew thoughtfully.
We make it through the rest of dinner without choking or throwing food off the table. It’s very clear that Skye and her daughter are extraordinarily close, much like me and Miller. We’ve also both spent the past decade and a half focused mainly on being a parent and our jobs. She’s fun, and quirky and grounded.
And sexy. She’s effortlessly attractive, and her dress is literally killing me slowly.
It’s only closing in on nine by the time we finish dinner. “What are your plans for the rest of the evening?”
“Violet is practicing at her teammate's house for their upcoming Mathlete competition next week. I’m picking her up around ten-thirty.”
“It must be nice to know that she’s not out partying.”
Skye lifts a shoulder and lets it fall. “She knows teenage boys are all about themselves, and the ones she hangs out with are incredibly awkward and mostly well behaved. Plus, the parents are both structural engineers, and their idea of a fun night is building a Lego city, so…” Her smile is wry. “What about you? What are your plans for the rest of the evening?”
I set my napkin on the table, smoothing it out nervously. “I don’t want this date to end yet. My house isn’t too far from here if you want to come over for coffee, or tea, or something un-caffeinated.”
Skye’s bottom lip slides between her teeth.
“But I understand if you’re not comfortable with that. We could find a café instead,” I add.
“This dress isn’t café appropriate,” Skye motions to her chest.
I grin. “It might turn some heads.”
“I should probably get the girls out of the public eye for a while. They’ve had enough attention tonight.”
“Right. Of course. I completely understand.” I swallow the disappointment.
“Do you want to put your address in my GPS in case I lose you on the way back to your place?” She hands me her device.
“Oh.” I try to mask my surprise. “Yeah, absolutely.” I quickly type my address into her navigation app and when the check arrives, I pass over my credit card, insistent that I pay the tab since I asked her out.
I walk her to her car. “I’ll see you in about ten minutes. Drive safe.” I hold out my hand and she slips hers into my palm. I kiss her knuckles and she pauses, eyes dipping to my mouth.
She turns and settles her hand on my chest. “Thank you for dinner. It was lovely, apart from when you almost choked to death on your scotch.”
“You saved me, though, so thanks for that.”
“I’ve been thinking,” she murmurs as she fiddles with the collar of my shirt.
“About?” I hope she hasn’t changed her mind about coming to my place.
Her eyes lift. “How much longer I’m going to have to wait to feel your lips on mine again?”
“You don’t have to wait, Skye. You can have them whenever you want.” I drop my head as she tips hers back. We angle at the same time and her arms wind around my neck while mine circle her waist. We part our lips, tongues sweeping out to tangle with each other. I groan and she sighs as we sink into the kiss.
It’s been a damn long time since I’ve been this attracted to a woman, and my erection is instantaneous and nearly painful. Although, to be fair, the cleavage she’s rocking basically gave me a semi for the duration of dinner.
We stand there, making out, until her car dings at her.