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“Did she know why you were going away?” Dylan stopped eating. “Does she know Warren’s your father?”
“Yeah. Lauren’s like a sister to me. There isn’t much we keep from each other.” For the first time, Callie noticed Dylan had stopped eating. “Everything taste okay? You’re not eating anymore.”
“Delicious. Just going to get more lemonade. Do you want more?” he replied, pushing back his chair. Dylan didn’t wait for an answer. Instead, he refilled her glass. “Have you told anyone else?”
Callie shook her head. “No. Just Lauren. I’m not sure I’m ready for all my friends to know.” For a brief second, Callie thought she saw a look of relief pass across Dylan’s face. I’m imaging things again.
Dylan sat back down. “That makes sense. No need to rush things.” With that comment, Dylan changed the subject entirely by asking her about her students and what they were learning.
With the simple switch in topics, she was again able to forget who Dylan actually was. Instead of seeing the rich, powerful CEO on the other side of the table, she saw someone she liked spending time with, and who seemed to like spending time with her. Someone who, under normal circumstances, she could see having a relationship with.
Stop. Right. There. We’re from two different worlds. He dates A-listers who shop on 5th Avenue and Rodeo Drive, not schoolteacher’s who shop at the local mall.
Thanks to her mind’s jolt back to the real world, Callie felt the need to put some extra distance between Dylan and herself. So even though she wasn’t finished eating, Callie stood. “Keep eating. I’m just going to start cleaning up this mess.” Turning to face the counter, she busied herself with putting things away and wiping down the already clean counter.
“Why don’t you let me do that?”
Callie froze in place. She hadn’t heard him get up. Yet Dylan now stood directly behind her, close enough that she could feel his breath on the back of her neck. Without waiting for a reply, he removed the parsley from her hand and placed it on the shelf she’d been struggling to reach.
Slowly, she dropped her arm back down and turned around, expecting Dylan to step back. He didn’t move. Rather, he reached out and brushed a stray piece of hair off her face.
As if on autopilot, Callie closed her eyes as his fingers skimmed down her cheek and neck to her shoulder. With the weight of his hand resting on her shoulder, she waited, not sure what to expect. And then she felt just the slightest bit of pressure as his lips settled over hers. Everything seemed to stop. The only things she was aware of were his hand on her shoulder and his lips on hers. The kiss was gentle. Tender.
This shouldn’t be happening. Not with this man.
Even as her brain protested, Callie’s body responded. She wanted his hard-muscled body pressed up against hers. Even though she knew she should break contact, she took a step closer and rested her hands on his wide shoulders.
Kissing hadn’t been on his agenda for the evening. Not that he hadn’t been thinking about it since he’d walked in, but he kept telling himself to ignore the urge. He’d been doing a damn good job of it too until she turned around. Then, something in him just snapped. He’d felt as if he’d go crazy if he didn’t taste her here and now.
Just once. I’ll stop after that, he promised himself, keeping the kiss light.
His mind told him to pull back, put some space between them, and he had every intention of doing just that when Callie’s hands tentatively settled on his shoulders.
Putting his arms around her waist, Dylan gently tugged her up against his body. Deepening their kiss, he teased her lips with his tongue until she opened for him.
For him, the outside world faded away. The only things he was aware of were the sweet taste of lemonade that lingered on her lips and the feel of her body next to his. Slowly, he moved his hand up her slender body and buried his hands in her silky dark hair.
The rumble of thunder and sudden flash of light yanked Dylan back to reality. Pulling back, he dropped his hands to her shoulders and tried to get himself back under control. His heart pounded, his breathing was heavy, and his body yelled for release.
Jesus, what the hell just happened?
He’d kissed plenty of women, desired plenty too. Yet he’d never felt quite like this before, like he’d just run a marathon. And it had only been a kiss.
Say something.
Usually so charming with women, Dylan found himself at a loss for words.
Anything, Talbot. Don’t just stand here.
She wasn’t looking at him, but rather studying a spot just over his left shoulder. Her lips were red from his kiss, a light pink blush crept all the way down her neck, and her hair was starting to fall free from its customary ponytail. At that moment, Dylan thought she was the sexiest woman he’d ever met.
Outside, he heard the rain pelting against the windows and the older glass rattled under the assault. It was the only sound in the too quiet room.
“I’m...” Dylan began, but stopped. Apologizing didn’t seem right. He wasn’t sorry he’d kissed her. At least not sorry in the way she might take it. It had been an incredible kiss, but it could also complicate an already complicated situation.
“Are you okay?” he asked instead.
Chewing on her bottom lip, something he noticed she did when nervous, Callie nodded. “Don’t you know I always make out with guys in my kitchen after I feed them?”
