Page 25 of Rainstorm

She was bewitching me, casting her aura around me, engulfing me like a fog.

So dense I could not see beyond her. Her. She filled every one of my senses. With that little silky dress. That perfume. Even that lip gloss I was dying to taste.

I was in deep, deep shit.

Drowning, sucked in by a whirlpool.

At our table, I kept our fingers entwined, unwilling to give up the connection, so I had to maneuver the menu with one hand. It took forever to decide what to order when all I could think about was having her for my meal.

“You know, you’re a real charmer, Holland,” she murmured quietly. “Tell me, is Holland really your last name?”

A laugh—more like a growl—escaped from me.

This girl.

She frowned, her eyebrows forming a sweet little line just below the bangs of her gorgeous hair.

“Of course it is. That’s a rather weird question.”

“Well, I’ve met some rather weird people.”

“And do you often have dinner with them?”

“Sometimes.” She shrugged, a smile pulling at her lips. “Dating is a complicated game. Maybe I should buy a ‘Dating for Dummies’ book or something.”

“A book written by some dork living in their parents’ basement?”

“Well, that’d be something they’d have in common with me. I’m living over my parents’ garage, may I remind you.”

“Not the same thing at all—you’re doing just fine, and you certainly don’t need any stupid book written for dummies,” I argued.

Because she wasn’t going to be dating anyone else from that night.

A new story was being written. Our story.

“Did you have fun today with your mother?”

Somehow that question surprised her, and she had to think about the answer for a couple seconds.

“Don’t tell me you weren’t actually with your mother?” I scolded her mockingly.

She shrugged before she replied. “Truth is, since I always have to get up for work at three in the morning, I indulged myself for once by staying in bed all day.”

Fuck, what I wouldn’t have given to have been in that bed with her. But then she wouldn’t have gotten much rest.

“So you dumped me for your bed?” I teased.

“Ah, but it wasn’t just any bed, I’ll have you know. I spent a great deal of time searching out the perfect one. So, if you want to compete, you’ll have to be really good.”

That sassy mouth was killing me.

“Challenge accepted. Please feel free to check out my skills in your perfect bed any time you like.”

Her cheeks turned pink, but she didn’t say a word. The spark in her eyes was more than enough, though.

A dead giveaway.

She wanted me just as much as I wanted her.

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