Page 78 of Designs on You

She held tight to him as he released, then slowly let him go. He held out his hand and lifted her up, kissing her lightly before righting his clothing.

“I don’t know about you,” he said, his voice soft. “But I need a drink.”

“Mmm,” she said, wrapping her arm around his. “Me, too.”

“And then, how about we try out that tub?”

He hit the light above the bar and fixed them both a drink. She took a seat at the bar. “You do have work tomorrow.”

He slid the glass across the bar to her, then smiled at her. “I can function on very little sleep.”

“Good to know,” she said. “Because I have several plans for us tonight. Starting with the bath.”

He tipped his glass to hers. “I can’t wait.”

She took another long swallow of her drink, then slid off the barstool, coming around the bar to take him by the hand. “Then let’s get started.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Natalie was arms deep in luxurious brocade and was the happiest she’d ever been.

Then again, there really was a lot to be said about having too much of a good thing. How was she supposed to decide on a fabric when everything was so gorgeous?

She laid the swatches on the table, using her critical eye to determine which ones were serious contenders and which ones she’d chosen just because they were pretty. It was obvious that some were too ostentatious for her living room. Beautiful, yes, but not practical. After starting out with about twelve fabrics, she narrowed it down to three.

She laid the finalists out on the table and stepped back, trying to decide which ones would look the best on her chair. How would they fit with the rest of the décor in the room, with the shape of the chair?

She walked past all of them, stopping to study, to touch, to imagine. But her focus kept going back to the striped and floral blue damask. Dark blue and gold, it would go perfectly with theblue sofa. Plus something about the fabric called to her. That was the one.

She ordered the amount she was going to need, gave them her address, and paid for the fabric and shipping, then happily headed out to another store, where she bought some amazing wallpaper that would look incredible in Eugene’s game room. She’d never seen anything like it, and she knew Eugene would love it. In another store, she found some other unique looking fabric for a current client, then she stopped for a salad at an outside shop, sitting on their patio to watch people either strolling or hurrying by, depending on their destination.

It felt good to be here, to relax, to have this time to herself to shop and plan. Being alone with Eugene was a definite plus, too.

Her phone buzzed and she smiled, seeing the text from Eugene.

How’s it going? Did you buy up all the fabric yet?

She texted him back:Almost. Having lunch now. How’s your day?

He replied with:Busy, but good. Can’t wait to see you.

Her heart tumbled. What was it about him—everything about him—that heated her up from the inside out? She couldn’t wait to see him, either, which both excited and worried her.

The last thing she wanted was to get too deeply involved with Eugene. Fun was fun, but his every touch ignited her fire, and she watched the clock, knowing she’d see him soon. Her relationship with him felt very…oh, what was the appropriate feeling?

High school. That was it. She felt giddy and silly, and she yearned to see him every moment of every day. She shouldn’t feel this way. She was an adult with children and a job and responsibilities that should take priority over having some temporary fling with a younger guy.

She had no idea what to do about stopping these feelings, though. She’d never fallen so hard so fast.

No. She was not falling. She would not fall. This would not happen.

She took out her phone to check the time, put in her ear buds, then punched in Hazel’s number. Her sister picked up after a couple of rings.

“How’s it going?” she asked.

“It’s good. I just had lunch outside. It’s so incredible here. It’s warm but not so humid you can’t breathe.”

“Sounds perfect. Have you been out and about?”

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