Page 12 of The House on Blueberry Lane

Not only had they talked but they’d laughed about a couple of television shows they had seen. They were both into reality shows, which were so far from being genuine that they couldn’t help but find them amusing.

He glanced at his watch. “This place will be closing in an hour. I guess it’s time for us to leave.”

She looked at her own watch. Surprised, she saw it was close to ten o’clock. She couldn’t recall ever staying out this late on a school night. Jaye must have seen the surprised look on her face and said, “I should apologize for keeping you out late. It’s a school day tomorrow. I bet you’re usually in bed by now.”

He was right. Normally, she was. However, she’d been enjoying his company so much she hadn’t noticed the time. Although she hadn’t asked his age, she figured he was in his early thirties. Usually, she dated guys closer to her age. But then, could she really consider this a date? Granted, he’d asked her out, but it wasn’t as if it had been preplanned or anything. For heaven’s sake, she was wearing the same outfit she’d left in this morning for school. It was definitely nothing to impress a man.

After he got their waitress’s attention, she arrived with their check. Moments later, he stood and said, “I’ll walk you to your car.”

Velvet took the hand he offered and stood. Already, she wondered if she would see him again after tonight. The parking lot, which had been filled to capacity when she’d arrived, was practically deserted now.

When they reached her SUV, he said, “I enjoyed spending time with you, Velvet.” He paused a moment and said, “I’d love to see you again.”

A flutter of excitement raced through her. “That can be arranged, Jaye, because I’d love to see you again as well.”

The dimpled smile that spread across his face triggered the throb she felt in her heart. “How is your schedule for this weekend? I’d like to take you out to dinner again.”

Not to appear over eager, she took her time before saying, “I’m free this weekend.”

His smile widened and it carried a sensuous heat that she felt in the pit of her stomach. “Good. What’s your phone number?” he asked, while pulling his cell phone out of his jacket.

He punched in her number as she rattled it off to him. When her phone rang in her purse, he said, “Now we have each other’s numbers. I look forward to seeing you Saturday. I’ll call you later this week to let you know where we’ll dine.”

“Alright.” She wanted that information so she could dress appropriately.

He held her gaze while placing his phone back in his jacket. He took a step closer and said in a deep husky voice, “I guess this is where I say good-night and we part ways.”

She nervously licked her lips as her gaze moved from his eyes to his mouth to stare at his lips again for the umpteenth time tonight. Would he kiss her goodbye? The thought of those luscious lips on hers was too much to think about.

“Four times,” he said, moving closer to her. The lampposts in the parking lot weren’t shining directly on them, however, they provided enough light for her to see his features.

“Four times?” she asked, not sure what he meant.

“Yes. Four times tonight you’ve licked your lips with your tongue. Do you know what happens to me whenever you do that?”

Velvet had no idea. She hadn’t even known he’d been counting. “No.”

“Each time made me want to lean in close to you and do this.”

The next thing she knew, his hand had moved to her waist at the same moment his mouth slanted over hers. Jaye Colfax was kissing her in a way that she had never been kissed before. Granted, she hadn’t been kissed a lot in the past; she was comparing this with the few times she had. Jaye’s kiss was heating her insides to a degree she hadn’t known was possible. This was a new phenomenon, introducing her to the kind of passion she’d only read about, heard whispered about and dreamed about.

Nothing could have prepared her for this. Definitely not those sloppy kisses she’d shared with Lamont—and he’d thought he was an expert. There was no doubt in her mind that Jaye Colfax was the real expert, firing up her desire. If they kept going, it would be blazing out of control.

It was as if he was claiming her mouth, his tongue traced every inch of hers in a meticulous manner, making sure he left no spot untouched. He went about it painstakingly slow, with a thoroughness that made her moan.

The hands at her waist tightened and drew her even closer to him. That’s when she felt it, his hard erection against her middle. The thought that he wanted her as much as she wanted him overwhelmed her, and the heat that suddenly flared between her legs made her moan again.

Suddenly, he ended the kiss. She thought she saw a strange look on his face, as if he hadn’t expected to be taken with the kiss as much as she had. “I think I better let you go now,” he said, licking his own lips.

“Alright.”

When he opened the door to her SUV, she slid in. He surprised her when he leaned down and said, “I’m following you home to make sure you get there okay.”

“You don’t have to do that. I live in a gated community so I should be fine.”

He shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. I’ll follow you to the gate.”

Since he seemed determined to see her home, she simply nodded. He had parked on the other side of the lot, so she gave him time to reach his car before pulling away from the restaurant. On the drive home, all she could think about was that kiss. A kiss she would always remember. A kiss in a parking lot where anyone could have seen them. It was so unlike her to carry on with a man in that manner in a public place, but she had no regrets.

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