Page 26 of Audra: The Prequel

When he waved a flipper, Audra laughed. “Did you see that? He must know you’re famous and wants an autograph.”

Damon grinned. “Or he’s trying to steal you away from me. Not gonna happen though.” He slipped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer.

Audra wrapped her arm around his waist and nestled against his side. He was solid and warm, and she was completely at ease being close to him.

After the next round of explanations, the guide left them to explore on their own.

“How old is your daughter?” Damon asked as they strolled along.

“She’ll turn six this summer.”

He looked down at her with surprise.

“Yes, I had her young,” Audra said. “I was nineteen. Having her put me on the straight and narrow path.”

“You gave your parents hell, huh?”

“You could say that.”

He tsked and shook his head. “It’s always the quiet ones.”

“I’m not bad… I don’t know, I had a rebellious stage, I guess, and I stressed out my parents from time to time.”

“It’s a rite of passage for some people.”

“Did you have a bad period?”

“Let’s just say my parents were glad when I got really involved with baseball.”

Audra chuckled softly to herself. “So, you don’t have any kids?”

“Nope.”

“Do you want kids?”

“One day. I can see myself as a dad.”

Audra didn’t know him well at that moment, but for some reason, she could see him as a father too. He was the strong, silent type, and she imagined he’d be the kind of father who didn’t yell much, but with one stern word, his kids would straighten up. But there was a playfulness about him that would make him a fun dad, as well.

The evening ended too soon, and then they were on their way back to her house. The drive home passed quickly, and Audra longed for more time to talk and laugh with him.

At the doorway of her house, she clutched the flowers to her side and turned to face him while the driver waited. “I had a wonderful night.”

“So did I.” Damon stepped closer. “So next time I call or text, can I expect a quicker response?”

“Yes, Damon, if I see your text right away.”

“Good.”

Slowly, the smiles faded from their faces as they gazed into each other’s eyes. Audra held her breath, her heart knocking against her ribs in a nervous rhythm.

Kiss me,she silently pleaded.

As if he heard her, Damon’s eyes dropped to her lips, and without saying a word, he slowly bent his head and brushedhis mouth against hers. In response to the fleeting touch, she inhaled deeply and curled her fingers into his shirt.

His hand slid under her hair to the back of her neck, and he pulled her against him. Audra parted her lips and invited him in, allowing his tongue to touch hers. God, she had been waiting for this—anticipating it the entire night from the moment he picked her up. She dipped her head back, savoring the deepening kiss, sliding one arm around to his broad back and pressing her aching nipples into his firm chest.

The need to be closer roared through her as their mouths devoured each other. One hand remained fastened around her neck while the other smoothed up and down her back and sent chills along her spine. His lips were hot and demanding, and when he gripped her ass cheek, a moan and violent shudder traveled through her.

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