Page 29 of Midlife Wolf Captured My Heart

“She knows you well, huh?”

“What can I say? I like supporting the local youth. She is going to school online and pays for everything herself. She is getting her degree in psychology.”

Dakota laughed. “Supporting local youth, huh? That’s as good a cover as any.”

They sat down to eat. The food was as delicious as always.

“How was your trip?”

“The meeting with the publisher was fine. We really could have done it over the phone. He could have sent me the documents to sign and email back. But what the hell, he paid for the first-class tickets.”

“Did you have a glass of fine champagne on the flight there?”

“No. I tried to sleep. However, the people in the seat next to me and behind me were involved in synchronized snoring. I can sleep through some pretty loud noises, but they were impossible to ignore. Then, the turbulence started and the freight train next to me started wigging out. He kept grabbing my arm and kneeand asking me if we were going to die. I assured him that we were not going to die.”

“Poor guy. He had a lot to live for.”

“I guess. He must have recited The Lord’s Prayer at least a hundred times. He might have thrown in some Hail Marys, too.”

Sadie giggled.

Dakota threw up his hands exasperatingly. “It wasn’t even bad turbulence.”

“I’m not really a good flyer, either. I feel for the man.”

“The publisher sent a limo for me, so I was able to get about a half-hour nap. He paid for a nice breakfast. We talked, I signed papers, and we made a schedule for potential book signings if they didn’t interfere with my photography schedules. He bought me lunch, we met with the editor, and cover designer, and then there was dinner. Finally, the limo took me back to the airport.”

“How was your flight back?”

Dakota growled. “It was entertaining, to say the least. The stewardess stumbled when there was an unexpected jolt and spilled a martini all over a guy’s suit that probably cost more than her yearly income. Luckily, he was a nice guy and said that at least it was a dry martini.”

“He also knew that if he pressed it, the airline would replace it.”

“True. The guy behind me was watching some kind of military movie and was constantly correcting the action, verbiage, and props. He wasn’t quiet about it, either.”

“Poor you. I guess you’re tired.”

“Yeah, I wasn’t even able to sleep late, either. My internal alarm clock woke me up at six.”

“Poor baby.”

After they finished eating, they cuddled together on the couch. She reached up and gently caressed his face.

“Sadie, we should talk.”

She put her fingers on his mouth. “No. We’re good. I know the deal. You aren’t staying and I’m not going. There’s no forever or happily ever after for us. We just have now.”

He nodded.

Sadie looked into his eyes. “That’s all I’m asking for.”

Dakota leaned down and pressed his lips against hers. His tongue demanded entrance into her mouth. Sadie sighed as the hair from his five o’clock shadow brushed her face. Their breaths mingled and she felt fire rush through her body.

Her fingers found the bottom of his T-shirt and lifted it over his head breaking the kiss. She touched his chest and arms.

“You are so sexy.”

“Stand.”

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