AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Hopping off the stool, I follow him to the front door. See, this is when the awkwardness sets in. I mean, am I supposed to hug him goodbye? High five? Bro back slap?
The decision is taken out of my hands when he stops at the door and pulls me into his arms. I open my mouth to ask what he’s doing (even though I already know what he’s doing), when his lips press to my own. It doesn’t hold any of the urgency his earlier kiss held, but it’s mind-spinning just the same. His lips urge mine open, and he dips his tongue inside. It’s sweet and sensual, especially when his hands come up and cup my face. I’m ready to wrap my legs around his waist and climb him like a tree, but I don’t have the opportunity.
Latham places a chaste kiss on my lips and backs away. “Thank you for dinner,” he whispers, still cupping my face.
“You’re welcome.”
He places one more kiss on my swollen lips. “Good night, Sweetheart. Lock up behind me.”
“Hey, Latham?” I holler before he slips completely out the door. He turns and faces me. “I’m gonna need that thong back too.”
His face breaks out in a wide, gorgeous smile. “Ain’t gonna happen.”
And then he’s gone.
* * *
It’s Wednesday and I have yet to see Latham since he left my house Monday night. I even casually strolled by the hardware store yesterday morning, in hopes of spying him through the storefront window, and then spent the next hour chastising myself for being a stupid girl.
I’m not a stupid girl.
Not anymore.
After closing up the store, I head to my office to grab my gym bag. Spin class starts at six, and since I missed Monday’s session (thanks to Latham and his sexcapades), I’m in desperate need of some physical fitness that doesn’t involve riding a dick like a bucking bronco. Though that was much more enjoyable.
The drive over to the gym is short, and it only takes me a few minutes to change in the locker room. When I head out, I run into Rhenn coming out of one of the rooms.
“Hey, Cowboy!” I greet with a wave.
“Hey, sweetheart,” he replies with a wide smile. It’s funny, he’s called me that since the night I met him, yet I don’t get that flutter of excitement in the pit of my stomach the way I do when the nickname rolls off Latham’s tongue. “Catching a class?”
“Yeah, spinning starts in a few minutes. What are you doing?” I ask, glancing over his shoulder and seeing a handful of guys and a few girls come out of the room.
“I started a few karate classes on Wednesday nights. Last week, I was talking to the owner, who mentioned the local karate instructor retired months back and no one has replaced him. He offered me the room a few nights a week, and I couldn’t pass it up.” Excitement twinkles in his ocean blue eyes.
“That’s great! I’m sure Marissa is happy to have you around,” I say with a smile, bumping my shoulder into his.
His own grin is easy. “Nowhere else I’d rather be.”
“Glad you’re sticking around, Cowboy,” I say, pulling him into my arms. “You make her happy.”
“She makes me happy,” Rhenn replies, not even caring he sounds like a sappy woman.
“Rhenn.” The deep timber of his voice sends tingles of awareness down my spine. I don’t have to turn around to know who’s standing behind me. I can feel his presence.
“Hey, Latham, good to see you,” Rhenn replies, releasing me and sticking out his hand for the third party in the hallway to shake. My body tingles with anticipation at his nearness.
“Sweetheart,” he whispers in my ear as he releases Rhenn’s hand. I can’t stop the shiver.
“Well, I should probably head back inside. My next class will be starting shortly,” Rhenn adds, turning toward the door. “Oh, will we see you Sunday?”
“I’ll be there,” I confirm.
“What happens Sunday?” Latham asks, leaning against the wall casually.
“Mary Ann’s brother and his family are coming up for the weekend. We’re having a family dinner at the bed and breakfast at noon. You should come,” Rhenn says to Latham, his invitation making my heart hammer in my chest. Do I want Latham there, interacting with my family?
“Maybe,” he shrugs, not committing.
