Page 47 of Misadventures Of A Single Mom

“Um, sure.” I handed him Kelly’s froufrou drink. He would change his mind about lingering once he took a sip.

Someone wanted in the coffee shop so Dex placed a hand at the small of my back and ushered us both out onto the pavement. Cars drove by. A woman with a screaming baby in a stroller dashed by, probably wishing they were at home for naptime.

“Jane, how are you?” Dex stood in front of me, still too close. His hand moved to my shoulder, as if to keep me from running away. I felt the warmth of it through my shirt. He wore jeans and boots as he had the other times I’d seen him but today wore a dark blue button-up. The sleeves were rolled up, the collar open. Not like a seventies-era swinger with a bunch of gold chains and ample chest hair, but just the right amount. As a rancher, I bet he didn’t own a pair of shorts or sneakers.

I noticed a woman eyeing him as she walked past.

He didn’t seem bothered by that, nor was he rude by giving her any attention while talking with me. Was there a hint of gentleman in there? He wasn’t in any rush to move his hand. I stepped back, uncomfortable at his lingering touch.

I took a big swig of my mocha and burned my tongue. I winced. “Fine, fine.”

“I saw you on the news about the gas station robbery. I have to admit, I don’t like hearing you were mixed up in a dangerous situation like that. I wouldn’t want to see you harmed.” His words rang sincere, but from our previous sexually laced conversations, I couldn’t figure out his angle. Or if there even was one. “You’re much too special to get mixed up with the likes of that loser.”

I thought back to the convenience store. The guy was definitely a loser. “I wasn’t really mixed up with him, just wrong place, wrong time.” I intentionally deflected his compliment, if that was what it really was.

“Yes, but you’d just been at my ranch with me. If you’d stayed longer, you would have missed it entirely. I feel it’s my fault.”

I bit my lip. “That’s nice of you to be concerned, but I don’t see how any of it is your fault. Like we both said, that guy was strung out on meth. It was his fault. Besides, nothing happened. I wasn’t hurt or anything.”

Dex ran a finger over my cheek. “I’m glad.” He smiled. It was a killer smile.

I couldn’t help but smile back, although I did take a small step back. In the few minutes we’d talked, I hadn’t heard one peep of perv.

“Look, I’ve got to get back to my friend. She’s waiting for me.” I pointed over my shoulder.

“Would you go to dinner with me tonight?”

Wow. “Um. Really?”

“Really,” he repeated.

“You do know I’m not interested in…in doing the things you like to do.” I wrinkled my nose, worried I may have said something to make him feel bad. I couldn’t help it. Good manners were ingrained.

Dex laughed. “Oh, I don’t know about that. Do you like the outdoors, football, skiing?”

“I um…wasn’t exactly talking about that.”

He winked. “Maybe it would be best if we just start over.”

I was completely taken aback. Did Dex have an identical twin? Was he schizophrenic? Was this Gentleman Dex as opposed to Creepy Dom Dex? Not thatallDoms were creepy. I’d met some who’d come into Goldilocks and knew they adored their submissive. Cherished her. Put her first. I didn’t get that vibe from Dex. Instead, to me he seemed both dominantandcreepy, and that gave me the willies.

But, he could have new answers to the Morty mystery. Dex might know more about his death as his employer. I knew nextto nothing, so any information would be helpful. It wouldn’t hurt to try to learn something from him. Again. What could happen over dinner? Oh yeah, Ty. He would not be happy about it. Probably the biggest understatement of the year. But he’d be at work. Unless the restaurant caught fire, he would never know.

Then there was the sex part. Was Dex the kind of man who expected it on the first date? And if he did, what did he have in mind?

“Just dinner?” I asked cautiously. I wanted him to know up front where I stood on getting naked. If it was just dinner, it wasn’t really a date, right?

“Just dinner,” he countered. He put a hand back on my shoulder, leaned down a little so we were eye level. “You pick the place. We can even meet there, if you want.” He smiled reassuringly.

I gave in, eager to get details on Morty. “Okay.” I nodded my head. “Gilly’s Grill.”

“Great. I’ll meet you there at seven.” He gave me a quick, chaste kiss on my cheek before he turned and walked away.

I had to admit, I felt funny things at the brush of his lips against my skin. It might have been his mustache tickling me. I wasn’t sure if I should feel creeped out or special.

Havingthe boys out of town let me eat what I wanted. I’d made a quick dash to the store after Kelly and I finished shopping to pick up a few essentials. Not graham crackers, macaroni and cheese or baby carrots. No sir. My taste buds were on vacation from kid food. I ran into Town and Country and picked up the milk Kelly had pointed out was finished off, cheese puffs, coffee ice cream, the funny, stinky cheese the boys gagged at, large baked potatoesand a jumbo shrimp ring. Sure, it was an odd combination. I didn’t have to eat it all at once, but I’d sure try. As I put the frozen items away, Kelly called.

“Wear one of the dresses tonight with Dex or I will hear about it.”

---