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Because I needed to see you.
"We had the calendar photo shoot today. Didn't feel like heading to the club once it was over."
"Oooh, that calendar is my guilty pleasure. And this year, you're in it too, right?"
I cocked a brow. "How do you know?"
"Amber. And Facebook. I voted for the shirtless option, obviously. Please tell me you didn't chicken out and went through with it. It had the most votes."
Finding out that Lori had a feisty side was a very pleasant surprise. I felt like keeping her on her toes a while longer.
"You'll have to wait and see. So, what were you celebrating when I interrupted?" I asked, moving closer.
"Nothing in particular. I like listening to music when I'm alone. It's been a productive day. I finished putting up the decorations, and I'm taking my boy to a concert tonight. A fine gentleman got us tickets. Thanks again."
"No problem." I was close enough to hear a faint sound coming from the earbuds, but I stepped closer still. I wanted to share this moment with her, so I put in one earbud. Johnny Cash was singing a classic.
"That's a great song."
"I know," she said a little smugly. I suspected that if I weren't here, she'd still be clapping and moving her hips. I wanted in on her happy moment, to celebrate it with her. She was grinning again. Her joy was contagious. I couldn't remember the last time I'd felt that way. When I put the earbud back on her shoulder, I couldn't help myself and touched her collarbone. Her eyes widened, but instead of stopping me, she sighed softly. That little sound was my undoing. I knew that touching her wouldn't be enough. I needed to taste her. So I dragged my knuckles down her cheek, framing her jaw with my thumb and forefinger. She licked her lips.
I claimed her mouth the next second. I took my time, lavishing her lips with attention before coaxing her tongue with mine, savoring her like the prize she was.
Her hair was pulled in a braid, but I buried my hands in it anyway. Her warm body pressed against mine, and feeling her full breasts was torture. Touching her hair wasn't enough anymore. I moved my hands down her body, stopping briefly to cup the sides of her breasts, flicking my thumbs over the peaks. Lori ran a hand through my hair, tugging until it was erring on the side of painful, but I liked it. I loved that I could unleash her passion just with a kiss. I continued my exploration, moving my hands downward. When I palmed her ass, she moaned against my mouth and pressed her thighs together. She was wet for me; I was sure of it. It took all my self-restraint not to spread her out before me and confirm it with my fingers, or my tongue. I nearly yanked her top and jeans away. I needed everything separating me from her skin out of the way, but we weren't there yet. So I held her and kissed her until we were both out of breath.
"You taste amazing," I said. The skin around her mouth was red, and her eyelids were slightly hooded. "Stay here this evening. I'll make you dinner. We can pick up your son and come back here."
"The concert is tonight."
"And if it weren't?" I pressed. I'd forgotten about it.
"Are you... are you asking me out?" she whispered.
"Fuck yes, I'm asking you out. Or in. I promise I'm great company either way." I rubbed the back of my hand along her jaw and she shuddered, pulling at her lower lip with her teeth.
"Pretty full of yourself, huh?"
"I want us to get to know each other better." I'd avoided emotional connections since my divorce, and I didn't know if I was ready for one anyway, or if I'd ever be. But I felt a pull toward Lori, and I'd be a fool not to act on it, especially when the feeling was mutual. "Fuck, you don't want to know what's on my mind right now."
"I'm going to go out on a limb and say you're not thinking about the wedding."
"Close. The night after. If I have it my way, it'll involve a lot less clothing and a lot more skin-on-skin contact."
"Maybe I shouldn't spend that night here."
"You have that little self-restraint? I'd be able to control myself, but if you think you won't—"
She stepped back, interrupting me. "I didn't say that."
"Don't worry. I won't mind if you take advantage of me."
"You've... I... I don't even know what to say to that."
The sound of a phone vibrating again filled the air. She lowered her gaze to her pocket.
"That was my phone. My reminder that I have to pick Milo up from school. I should leave. I want to feed him before the concert, and I'm done for the day here."
She moved away, picking her bag up from one of the tables and slinging it over her shoulder. "I'll see you at the wedding."
