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“Thank you, Mrs. Anders. That’s very kind of you to say.”
“Oh honey, I’m not being kind. You’re beautiful, and that dress is amazing. Where did you get it?”
“Ethan gave it to me.”
My mom turns to me with a shocked expression. “Ethan? I didn’t think you had it in you, son. I love how it brings out the blue in her eyes. Nice job.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I kiss her cheek. “Matthew is clean and fed and is over there on his play mat, having the time of his life right now. The carrier is over there as well. We left instructions for everything on the counter.”
“I got it, kids. The driver is coming up to help me get Matthew and all of his things. You two go and have fun. Your dad and I are so looking forward to having Matthew all to ourselves. We’ll bring him back to you sometime after lunchtime tomorrow.”
“She’s kicking us out, Liz. We better go.”
We head over to the door. As I open it to leave, I hear my mom whisper loudly to Liz. “There will be lots of eligible bachelors at this thing tonight. Won’t hurt to dance with a couple. Ethan just needs some competition to get his butt intogear.”
Liz is struck silent and glances at me for help.
“Okaaaaay, Mom. Leave Liz alone. We’ll see you in a few hours. Thanks again.”
I grab Liz’s hand before my mom can comment further.
After the door shuts, Liz giggles. “Did your mom just tell me to flirt with men at the gala?”
“It sure sounded like it,” I say somewhat grumpily in response. Liz won’t be flirting with anyone if I have anything to say about it.
“Where is it being held?” she asks, changing the subject.
“We’re going to a venue in Midtown West. It shouldn’t take too long to get there. I called for the car, and they’re waiting for us.”
We are walking out to the car when Liz puts her hand on my arm and stops. “We didn’t get to finish our conversation upstairs.”
I look at her expectantly, waiting for what she’s going to say.
She looks me up and down and then smiles. “I was going to tell you that you look handsome. You fill out a tux really well. I’m going to have to fight all of the women off of you tonight.”
She pecks me quickly on the mouth and starts walking toward the black limousine waiting at the curb. I’m left with my mouth hanging open in shock.
Did she just kiss me?
The driver helps her into the car, and I force myself out of the trance her kiss put me into. Before long, the driver takes us into traffic.
Liz is sitting quietly with a soft smile on her lips.
“Liz?”
“Hmm?”
“Look at me. If you’re going to kiss me, let’s make it a real kiss.” I twist to face her as her startled face turns to mine. I reach behind her neck andpull her to me. I bring my mouth down to hers. She moves her lips slowly against mine with no hesitation. She doesn’t attempt to pull away to end our kiss, so I lean more into her. She doesn’t resist as I gently prod open her mouth. Our tongues meet and tangle in a sweet, slow dance.
She gives as much as she takes in that kiss.
My tongue explores relentlessly. I’ve missed the taste of her so much more than I realized. I reach up to run my hand over her breast. It would be so easy to push the bodice down and feel her. It’s been so long since I’ve touched her, been this close to her.
Her presence intoxicates me more than any wine ever could.
My thumb rubs the material covering her hardened nipple while my other hand reaches for the zipper on the back of her dress. If I could loosen the dress just a little, I could touch her bare skin. Run my hands over her. Even if, for a small moment in time, I could touch her the way I used to touch her.
Liz pushes against my chest. “Ethan, the driver . . .”
