Page 29 of The Dallas Dilemma

By the time the movie ends, she’s somehow scooted closer to me, leaving a few scant inches between her body and mine. There’s a sudden charge in the air, and I can’t miss the way she slowly slides to her left, widening that gap between us like she’s just realized how close we are. I try to fight my disappointment. It’s fine. She’s not ready to be that close to me, and I don’t mind waiting.

I’ll wait as long as she needs.

“I should go,” I say softly, pushing myself to my feet.

“Okay,” Josette replies, setting her wine glass on the coffee table next to mine before following me towardthe door.

“I had a really good time tonight,” I say as I stop by the door and turn to face her. “Thank you for inviting me.”

“I had fun, too,” she says, and I can see her throat working like she’s trying to swallow past a lump. “We should do it again sometime.”

“I’d love that,” I whisper.

Turning, I reach for the doorknob. Just before my fingers touch the brass metal, I freeze, close my eyes, and take a deep breath. Turning back toward her, I meet her eyes and exhale slowly.

“Can I kiss you, Josette Ophelia Barnes?” I ask, my voice low and even.

She inhales sharply, swallows thickly again, then nods. My heart races as I reach out to place a palm to her cheek. My other hand snakes around her waist, pulling her against me as I bend down to bring myself closer to her height. Our lips brush once. Twice. Three times.

Josette gains a couple of inches as she pushes closer, raising up onto her tiptoes. Her eager aggression makes my heart soar, and I tilt my head for a better angle before brushing my tongue over her bottom lip. Her mouth opens without hesitation, and my blood roars in my ears as I sweep my tongue inside to taste her.

Damn. She tastes like white wine and perfection.

Holding a tight leash on my desire, I slow the kiss to a few soft nibbles before pulling back to meet her eyes. She blinks a few times like she’s coming out of a deep sleep, and her soft smile makes me want to leap up and click my heels together.

“Good night, Josette,” I whisper.

“Good night, Dallas,” she breathes back, and I release her, keeping my gaze locked on hers while I reach behind me to open the door.

I walk backwards through it, watching as she catches her breath, waves and gently pushes the door closed. I stare at it for a couple of beats before turning toward my apartment, my smile so wide, my cheeks are starting to hurt.

But I can’t drop the smile. I’m too happy.

Best. Night. Ever.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Joey

DFW@BodaciousBuckaroo211

If you find a woman who can cook, never let her go.

6 ?2 ?9

JoeyB@JoeVSVolcano

Why? Because a woman’s place is in the kitchen? #misogynyatitsfinest

5 ?1 ?17

DFW@BodaciousBuckaroo211

That’s not what I said. I love to cook,and I would definitely do my share of the kitchen duty. It’s just nice to be treated to an excellent meal created by a beautiful woman every once in a while.

5 ?2 ?13

JoeyB@JoeVSVolcano

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