Page 61 of Time To Live Again

If fate is on my side, she’ll win.

With a sad face, she announces she has to go—she has to call a florist for the bridezilla’s wedding. I watch as she places her stuff meticulously into a black computer bag, then we hug and she leaves. Before I follow, I say goodbye to Louis and his team.

This time tomorrow, I’ll be at my apartment.

The thought tugs at my heartstrings, and a strong sense of sadness rushes through me.

25

LEO

Tonight is our first actual date. I can’t wait to see what Olive thinks when she gets here. I stand in the middle of the small cottage with my hands on my hips to assess my work. To make the place more cozy and romantic, I wrapped some white Christmas lights around the railing going up the stairs to the bedroom. Tea light candles will add a soft glow to the open space. As well as the small fire burning in the fireplace.

Originally, I planned to order out for dinner, but I am feeling inspired. I’m probably out of my damn mind because this is the first time I’m cooking for a woman. Olive likes steak, and I thought I’d give it a go. I’ll follow some cooking videos I found and have the iPad ready on the counter. Maybe she’d like to help.

I bought another bottle of the champagne we drank on her birthday. For dessert or snacks, I bought gummy bears and worms. I couldn’t resist.

If it weren’t her last night here, I’d try to persuade her to stay with me tonight. Not that I think it’d be difficult, but I know she needs to pack. I’ve spent the last two nights in her room. Okay, I’ll confess, we’ve spent every second possible together since karaoke night.

It messes with my head how much I want to be around her. And the need to touch her all the time is such a foreign feeling. Yes, I’m affectionate with my family, but with Olive it’s different. Being intimate with her, skin to skin, is something I didn’t know I was missing. How am I supposed to turn off that feeling when she leaves? Or when I’m traveling around the world? As far as I’m concerned, I’m taken. There will be no other woman warming my bed.

When we were in town yesterday, we were always kissing, holding hands, hugging, and joking around. You know, the annoying things new couples do. But can I call us a couple? I know we’re all over each other and having amazing sex, but that doesn’t mean we’retogether, together. Does it? We’ve been making it up as we go along, but tonight we have to make some decisions.

The clock is ticking. There are no small steps in this budding relationship, only giant leaps. Go big or go home, right? Okay, enough of the motivational bullshit. I want her, she wants me—what’s the problem?

I glance at my phone. She should arrive soon. I light the candles, then head to the bathroom for a quick once-over, smoothing out my casual clothes. Then I rinse my mouth with mouthwash and spray some cologne.

As I step out of the bathroom, there’s light knocking on the door. My smile returns and my pulse picks up. I open the door, and there’s Olive, gorgeous as ever, her suitcase beside her. Her twinkling eyes scan my body from head to toe. And mine do the same with her.

“Hi, handsome. I like your outfit,” she purrs. “There’s something yummy about a man in a Henley. Are you up for another sleepover before I’m ferried off tomorrow?”

“You read my mind, beautiful. I need to get my fill of you.” I grab the suitcase and roll it inside with marvelous speed. Before she can move, I wrap her in my arms. “Mmm. If I had my way, we’d be having sleepovers for the rest of our lives.”

I don’t give her a second to respond before my lips connect with hers. Without separating, I guide us into the open space and kick the door shut. Her arms wrap around my neck. I’m thirsty for her taste and seek her tongue with mine. She tastes like mint and smells like blooming spring flowers. My hands slide under her coat and I embrace her back, pulling her closer to me. She moans into my mouth and I growl, forcing myself to stop because we’ll end up naked all night. It’s enticing, but that’s not what this night is about.

“I missed you,” I say in between heavy breaths, relaxing my arms around her but not letting go.

She kisses my pulse point while gripping the back of my shirt. “Missed you too. I want to live in a cloud of your cologne. I love it.”

“Just sprayed some. I hope it’s not too much.”

“Nope. Not possible.” Her eyes wander behind me and her mouth drops open. She steps to the side and I take her coat. “Look at this place. I love it.”

“It’s all for you. I thought we could make this our first official date, ending with a sleepover.”

She rests her hand over her heart, and her expression softens. “You’re too good to be true. I’d love that.”

I hug her again because I can. Because after tomorrow, I won’t be able to. “And it’s not our last date either.”

She traces her finger along my collarbone. “Promise?”

I press a soft kiss to her nose. “Yep.”

“Good. So, what did you plan for our first date?”

I take her hand and guide her toward the small kitchen counter. “When you’re hungry, I want to make you steak for dinner.”

Her face lights up. “Really? You can sing and dance like a professional, and now you’re telling me you can cook too?”

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