Page 39 of The Only Time

“What was it?” she whispers with an edge of excitement.

I can’t help but smile. “A rocking chair. My grandpa used to sit on this old rocking chair all the time sipping his coffee or bourbon as he watched the sunrise or sunset. I would sit on the steps of the porch with him whenever I could. They were the most peaceful times of my life.”

Her head tilts to the side as she looks at me strangely. “That’s really sweet. Is your grandpa still alive?”

I shake my head. “No, he died about ten years ago. None of my grandparents are alive, actually.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” she reaches across the table and squeezes my hand. “I’m guessing you and your grandpa were close.”

I nod my head. “He was my hero. Before my dad’s company took off, I would’ve said my dad was my hero, but money changed my family. My grandpa, though, he just lived a simple life. He never seemed to care about money or status.”

“Here you go,” Layla interrupts, making me realize I’ve shared more with Mia just now than anyone in the last decade of my life. “One beer and one pink fruity drink. What can I get you guys to eat?”

“I think I’m going to try the shrimp and grits,” Mia says.

“Nice choice. And for you, big brother?”

“I’ll have the salmon.”

“Okay. I’ll be back soon. I’m so glad you could make it out,” Layla says to Mia.

Once my sister walks away, I look down at my drink. Mia grabs it and slides her beer across the table to my side. “I wasn’t really going to make you drink that. I wanted it. I just thought it’d be funny to see you sweat.”

I find myself laughing. “Good one, Mia. You’re a funny lady.”

She shrugs. “I know you’re saying that sarcastically right now. But I would like to point out that you are actually laughing, so it worked.”

I ponder that. “I suppose you’re right.”

The rest of the night is surprisingly easy. I laugh more than I have in a long time, forgetting to put my guard up. I just had fun. Every man who even looked in her direction was on my radar. No one was coming within five feet of her without my permission.

Once we get back to my house, I breathe a sigh of relief as I set the security system.

“Thanks for taking me out tonight. I had a lot of fun. I even managed to forget about the whole crazy ex thing,” she says softly as we reach the top of my steps.

“I’m glad. Layla was thrilled you were able to make it out.”

We stand in the middle of the hallway. She looks so beautiful it’s hard to look directly at her. Everything about tonight has felt like a date. I wish I could lean in and take those lips against mine.

“The food was delicious. I’m so proud of her,” she says with a smile.

“You’re a good friend to her.”

“Only because she’s a good one to me.”

We stand in silence for a minute. I’m not sure how to end the evening, but I know I can’t end it the way I would like to.

“Well, I’m gonna go get in bed. I need to get in a full day of work tomorrow,” I eventually say.

She nods her head but doesn’t make any effort to move. I pull at the tension at the back of my neck.

“Goodnight, Mia.” I walk away before I do something stupid. Something my body is begging me to do, but my brain is screaming it’s a bad idea.

“Goodnight,” I hear her whisper behind me.

I still leave my door open, knowing if she is scared, I want her to come into my bed. Once I’m under the covers, my brain can’t think of anything else but the way she tasted last night. The way she came so loudly and uninhibited.

This time when she walks in, my dick instantly gets hard as I watch her climb into my bed. The way her shirt rides up, showing me her black satin panties.

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