Page 25 of A Fool's Game
No matter how this all goes tonight, that party dress is coming off by my hands.
I do kiss her then, suddenly overwhelmed with the thought of having to wait through his whole evening to get her naked. “You know, we could just skip dinner and go straight to bed.”
She laughs and takes a step back, as if I’m going to grab her with my floury hands. It wouldn’t be the first time. “I don’t think he’s going to be quite ready for that.”
“Not exactly what I meant.”
She takes another step back, hands on hips. “You’re going to be on your best behavior tonight?”
“A perfect gentleman.”
She narrows her eyes at me. “He seems to think you’re a bit of an asshole at work.”
I scoff. “He’s just never worked in a kitchen before.”
“Uh, huh. So, if I was to stop by the kitchen next week, I’d find you helping him learn the ropes?”
I turn from my project and walk toward her, backing her into a corner of the counter as she squeals and tries to avoid my floury hands. “If you stop by the kitchen next week, you’ll find yourself bent over in themop closet.”
Her laughter echoes through my chest cavity as I continue to lean over her, my little captive.
The doorbell sounds, and we both freeze, gazes locked.
I can see the request in her eyes, and I nod but can’t bring myself to step back and let her escape.
“You know I love you, right?” she whispers.
“Tell me,” I whisper back.
Her face spreads into a smile. “I love you like the stars love the moon. Like the wind loves the leaves.”
“Like a black hole loves a spaceship?” I ask.
She cocks her head to the side. “Sure.”
When I still fail to step back and let her run off, she takes a step closer, pressing her chest against mine. “This one’s different,” she whispers, mimicking my thoughts from earlier.
I nod. “I know.”
“Are you nervous?” she asks.
I shake my head, but it’s a lie.
This woman is searching for something. That’s been obvious from the day we met.I suppose I’m also searching, but that doesn’t mean I’m not scared as hell for something to come along and make things…different.
“Hey.”
His voice from behind me makes me take a step back and Gem rushes away. Damn roommates must have answered the door.
“Oh, sorry. Am I interrupting?”
“No. Hi. Welcome.” She’s in full hostess mode.
I suck in a deep breath and count to ten before turning around to begin my evening of playing nice.
“Hey, Taylor,” he says, and I try not to let the words hit me like a blow to the face.
I wanted to be the one to greet him first. Show that I’m the bigger man. The man of the house. Even though I’m not sure I’m either of those things.
