Page 45 of Missing

“Nah, I got it. Want more wine?”

“Sure. I’m getting more water. Want more?”

“Yeah, thanks. The pitcher is in the fridge. The tap water here isn’t great.”

After refilling our glasses, Beth went to the living room and got comfortable on my couch.She looks good there. I made quick work of clearing the table, neatly stacking the dishes after rinsing them. I’d usually wash them right away, but they could wait, I’d rather spend time with Beth.

We talked for thirty minutes or so, before I asked her if she wanted dessert.

“You bake too?”

“No,” I chuckled, “my cooking skills don’t translate to baking. I bought a cheesecake.”

“Sounds good, but I’m still pretty full.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed dinner.” I brushed the hair off her face and tucked it behind her hair. “You look beautiful tonight.”

She blushed and looked down at her lap. “Thank you.”

I put my wine glass on the coffee table, then took hers and did the same. I was dying to kiss her, but didn’t want to risk spilling the wine. Not that I cared about the wine, or my old couch, but I didn’t want anything interrupting us.

I reached up and cupped her face, my thumb gently caressing her lower lip and cheek. She turned into my hand and released a soft sigh that sounded like a purr. I leaned forward and brushed my lips against hers. The scent of her perfume filled my nose. I didn’t know the name of it, but the scent was now burned into my brain and would forever be associated with Beth.

Her soft lips opened, inviting me to deepen the kiss.

I slid my tongue along her lower lip before she opened them further and her tongue darted out to meet mine. I could taste the wine on her tongue.

Our kiss was slow and exploratory. And hot as hell.

It’d been a long time since I’d kissed someone like this. Not rushing in, but letting the passion build slowly. Only my dick didn’t get the message. It was already hard and getting harder by the second.

Beth slid her hand up my arm and around my neck, pulling me closer, demanding more. I was happy to give it.

She paused for half a second, just long enough for me to feel it, but not long enough for it to be a request to stop, when I put my other hand on her thigh.

I could feel the warmth of her leg through her skirt, then because I wanted to feel that warmth with nothing between us, I bunched up her skirt and slowly slid my hand under it, stopping just above her knee.

I rubbed small circles on her inner thigh but didn’t move my hand any further. I wasn’t going to rush things with Beth.

Beth clutched my neck with one hand while the other slid to my waist, just above my beltline. She fisted my pale green polo and pulled.

Wanting tonight to be special, not rushed, I pulled back so we could catch our breath.

Chapter 24

Beth

This wasn’t the first time I kissed Doug, so I knew he was a good kisser.But damn!This was intense. His kisses lit a burning desire in my core. A feeling I hadn’t felt in a long time.Since before Chase was born.

Not that I was a monk, or nun, or whatever, but I was too busy grieving and then raising Chase to think about dating. When I finally did, I didn’t get more than a chaste good night kiss.

With Doug, every touch left a trail of fire on my skin. Every kiss sent shivers down my spine. Every sexy grunt caused me to clench my thighs.

I had a hard time believing someone as hot as Doug, who was almost a decade younger and could probably have his pick of gorgeous, young women, could be attracted to me.

But when he pulled away, the desire in his hooded eyes reassured me he was as turned on as I was. All doubt fled my mind. This might not last forever, but right now I wanted to enjoy the moment and not worry about the future.

“Beth.” He half whispered, half growled my name.God, that’s sexy.

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