Page 10 of When it Sizzles

Then, I ran into Wendy Ann McGuire, all grown up and as beautiful and brilliant as any woman I’ve ever met, and suddenly I’m wishing I had more time.

“Your move,” she says, her eyes glittering across the chessboard as she reaches for her glass of wine. “That is, of course, if you can find one that won’t lead to certain doom.”

I glance at the pieces but almost immediately find my gaze drifting back up to my date’s flushed cheeks.

Can this really be considered a date if all I did was kidnap her from a wedding, bring her home, and ply her with wine, cookies, and chess? Even if we end up sleeping together, this won’t really qualify as a “date.”

In the car on the way over, the possibility that we might not end up in bed never entered my mind, but once we arrived at my condo, she seemed nervous, her big blue eyes darting anxiously around the room as I led her into the kitchen and asked her what kind of wine she’d prefer.

She didn’t fully settle until I suggested a game of chess while we enjoyed our wine and maple cookies, but I understand cold feet. I almost proposed to Coralee ten times before I was finally ready to pop the question. One of the major drawbacks of having an active brain is the tendency to overthink things.

Sometimes, I actually envy my little brother’s impulsivity. Sure, it usually leads to chaos, but at least he gets things done…even if they’re the wrong things.

“Do you need a hint?” Wendy Ann asks. “There’s still one choice that won’t put you in checkmate.”

I shake my head, a smile curving my lips. “No, I don’t need a hint. I was just wondering if you’d like to go on a date with me tomorrow night.”

Her brows lift and some of the sparkle leaves her eyes.

I lift a hand, fingers spread. “Or not. No pressure. If you’re only up for tonight, that’s fine.”

“It’s not that.” She takes another sip of her wine, holding it in her mouth for a beat before she swallows. Then, she sets her glass carefully down on the table beside the board, sighing as she adds in a softer voice, “I just… I’m having a really wonderful time.”

Spirits lifting, I say, “Me, too.”

Her lashes flutter faster. “Like, really wonderful. Maybe…the best time I’ve ever had on a date.”

Spirits full on soaring now, I reach beneath the table, resting my hand on her knee. “Me, too. The second we started talking on the dock, I just… I’ve never felt this kind of instant connection.”

“Me, either,” she says, her mouth parting in a way that makes her plush bottom lip look even more kissable. “And I’d love to keep feeling it, but you’re leaving. What if two dates is too much?”

“In what way?” I ask, my skin tingling as she reaches beneath the table, twining her fingers through mine.

“Enough to make us sad,” she whispers.

I hold her gaze, reluctant to do anything to make this incredible woman sad, but also completely unwilling to let go of her hand. “Well, we could have a safe word, I guess. If one of us starts feeling sad, we say the word and end the date.”

Her lips twitch. “Aren’t safe words usually for kinkier things than dates?”

I smile. “Yes, I think so, but I’ve never used them in a kinky way before.” I reach under the table with my other hand, curling it around the back of her knee through the silky fabric of her dress. “I’m pretty boring in bed.”

She laughs and her eyes start to glitter again. “Is that right?”

I nod in mock seriousness. “Yes. Terribly boring. That’s why I have to ply women with cookies and wine before I try to kiss them, just to add a little excitement.”

“But you forget, I kissed you before I had wine or cookies,” she says, leaning across the board.

“I didn’t forget,” I murmur, mirroring her lean.

“So, I know you’re lying,” she says, her lids dropping to half-mast. “You’re a very exciting kisser. I especially liked it when you made a fist in my hair and pulled me against you like you couldn’t stand a sliver of space between us.”

Blood rushing faster, I murmur, “I can’t stand it. It’s fucking awful. I want you in my lap right now. Or, better yet, with your legs wrapped around my waist while I carry you to the bedroom.”

She bites her lip and a hint of anxiety flickers across her features again, but it’s gone by the time she says, “Okay, but don’t you dare disturb the board when you pick me up. I intend to finish kicking your ass in chess as soon as we’re done kissing.”

“You’re not going to kick my ass,” I say, smile stretching wide as I release her under the table and shove back my chair. “I’m going to have you in checkmate in three moves.”

“Lies,” she says, coming eagerly into my arms when I reach for her, scooping her up and guiding her legs around my waist. “I’m going to have you in two.”

---