Page 7 of Soaring and Saucy

They shared a smile and a look, and both started laughing again as she picked up the martini glass and took a small sip. The approval in his eyes was nice – and combined with the flavor of coffee, sweetness, and something else. It was heady.

“What? Some guys like pampering themselves, and I am pretty fond of fuzzy socks – sort of a big snob, actually,” he paused as she started laughing harder at the idea of this big, tough guy in uniform was talking about plush socks. “I guess what I’m saying is that when it comes to my socks, I don’t cheap out. Thick socks should be plush without getting ratty or leaving a bunch of fuzz on your feet. They must have rubber grippy buttons on the foot so you don’t slip. I am partial to the ones with funny images on them or if they look like animals… and I like making you laugh.”

And she was laughing.

Stephanie couldn’t help it. She was laughing so hard that she was crying – and he was chuckling with her, sharing that moment. It just felt so good to be treated nicely by someone who saw more of her than just the outside. He was talking with her, engaging, and making her feel special, and it was fantastic.

Was this what dating was supposed to be like? She had been on a few blind dates and met with someone over coffee, but it was never like this. Usually, it was painfully awkward, and she always felt like she was in the spotlight being analyzed, but not this time. This felt comfortable and welcoming and made her want to stay there instead of excusing herself at the first available chance.

“Do you have a thing against fuzzy socks?”

“Not at all,” Stephanie smiled shyly as he touched her hand. “This is actually pretty good,” she offered, gingerly picking up the martini and sipping on it again, hesitating as she looked at Lance.

He was watching her take a sip of the drink. A part of her nearly melted into a puddle on the floor, wondering if he was watching her lips… kinda like she’d been watching his. Awareness, recognition, and something warm unfurled in her stomach, her very core, as his eyes raised to hers.

“Don’t let it go to your head, though,” he whispered huskily, leaning toward her as his thumb caressed her hand… and she couldn’t look away from him. “While it’s delicious, it can be easy to lose control – not that it’s a bad thing. Think of it more like a warning. Take it slow and savor the taste and the feel of it on your tongue. It’s an experience, not a race.”

She couldn’t speak.

His dark eyes watched hers as the corner of his lip curled slightly in awareness. She saw him pick up his drink and watched him sweep the rim once more before taking a deep sip.

“I thought you said to savor it,” she began, stunned at how easily the question fell from her lips and how attracted she was to this perfect stranger… only to see him smile.

“There’s lots of warnings in life that some of us ignore,” he teased knowingly. “Haven’t you eaten raw cookie dough?”

“Yes, but…”

“What about the warning of salmonella?” he asked, his eyes dancing as if he already knew the answer. “Or is it sometimes you sense that things are going to be just so delicious that you know it’s worth the risk?”

“It’s divine… and raw cookie dough is my favorite.”

“Ahhh, so you are a risk-taker, my little librarian.”

“Maybe I am,” she replied, lifting her glass and taking another sip. “Maybe I’m curious about what getting out of my comfort zone can get me.”

“It can get you in trouble.”

“Are you trouble?”

“No, but you might be,” he whispered huskily and raised his hand, looking away for a moment before giving her a slow, steady smile.

“What are you doing?”

“Ordering another set of martinis and jumping into the deep end of a whole lotta ‘trouble,’ feet first… and you?”

Stephanie met his eyes and saw the curiosity, the wonder, the silent question that remained unspoken between them.

Would she indulge in her wild side? Would she be willing to see where this conversation went? What would happen if they both took a chance on a stranger, making memories neither would forget?

“I think I’m about to find out what risk, trouble, and adventure are really like,” she muttered huskily – and finished her drink as the bartender set down two more glasses.

4

STEPHANIE

Stephanie was thoroughly enjoying her conversation with Lance, completely enraptured with the fascinating man who seemingly came out of nowhere, appearing in her life. His voice was warm and inviting, running over her like the finest warm silk. Those eyes were intense and welcoming and looked at her with a fondness and longing that was everything.

They were on their fourth expresso martini; she was feeling extremely languid when everything took a turn suddenly.

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