Page 24 of Designs on You

“Oh, I’m fine. Maybe another drink?”

She knew, on some slightly foggy level, that the few cocktails she’d had were probably more than enough. But she was having way too much fun to stop.

“I think I’ve had enough alcohol,” Eugene said. “I’m thinking soda or water? Or maybe we go somewhere else for coffee and dessert? Take it down a notch and have some quiet time to just talk? What do you think?”

She sighed, a little dismayed that he’d ruin her happy high like that. Then again, she did like dessert. “Coffee and dessert sounds good.”

When they got to the car, Eugene flipped through his phone, then they drove off. He drove them a few miles down the road to a restaurant that was apparently still open.

“They’re supposed to have awesome desserts here.” He looked over at her.

She shrugged. “Never ate here.”

“Then it’ll be a new experience for both of us. Come on.”

He opened her car door, and wow, she was really wobbly as she got out. But Eugene was right there, arm around her as they went inside. She had to admit, she didn’t mind the body-to-body contact at all.

Inside was dark, with low music playing. There was hardly anyone inside, but the hostess smiled.

“We’re closing in forty minutes,” she said.

“That’s fine,” Eugene said. “We’re just here for a coffee and dessert.”

The hostess grabbed a couple of menus. “Right this way.”

They were seated at a table near the window. “Your server will be right with you.”

Natalie opened the dessert menu. Oh, yum. There were several items she’d be very happy with.

“What are you thinking about?” Eugene asked.

“Cheesecake. Or maybe the tiramisu. You?”

“I’m thinking the molten chocolate cake. I’ve got a thing for chocolate.”

“You order that and I’ll have a bite, and I’ll share mine with you.”

“Sounds like a deal.”

She ended up ordering the tiramisu, along with a decaf coffee. Their server brought their coffees, and she added creamer, then took a sip, sighing at the supreme pleasure of a late-night coffee. Normally she was water only after six p.m. because she had trouble sleeping. Tonight, for some reason, she just didn’t seem to care.

Their desserts arrived and hers looked delicious. So did Eugene’s chocolate cake. She took a forkful of the tiramisu, moaning at the slightly sweet, fluffy texture.

“Good?” Eugene asked.

“So good. Here, taste.” She scooped some onto her fork and fed it to him, watching intently as his lips surrounded the fork. His tongue flicked over his lips, and she wanted to moan again, but held in the impulse. Barely.

“It’s really good. So’s this. Here.” He gave her a taste of his chocolate cake, and it was deliciously decadent.

“Wow. I want to rub that all over me and—” Realizing what she was about to say, she averted her gaze and focused on her dessert.

“At some point I’ll have you finish that sentence.”

When she looked up, he had a decidedly heated smile on his face.

It had to be the alcohol that was making her say these things. Feel all these delicious sensations. And Eugene hadn’t even kissed her. Had barely touched her.

How could you have foreplay without touching?

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