Page 83 of On The Rocks

“Don’t think I’ve ever been there.”

“You’ve been here for how long? This is your third season.”

She shrugged. “I’m not exactly the exploring type.”

“Then I guess we’ll just have to change that.” I picked up a small glass of juice and held it out.

She rolled her eyes, but she clinked my glass with hers. “I have to be at the taproom in a few hours.”

“I’ll get you there.”

We finished eating, got cleaned up, and got dressed before heading out to her place.

This time, I got to come up to her apartment. It was far prettier inside than the boxy outer shell. She had a corner unit away from people.

Inside, it was cozier than I was expecting. Deep green walls and a few plants, along with framed prints and a funky painting dominated one wall.

“I’m just going to take a quick shower.”

“Grab your work stuff in case we get held up.”

She nodded, then she disappeared down the hall.

I wandered around her space, finding out what her style was. Interests and art told a lot about a person. She was a record person like me. Smaller collection, but eclectic as hell. She had a handful of books that looked well loved and re-read. Stephen King, a few Toni Morrison, and tucked in the back was even a dogeared paperback by Kerouac.

Not surprisingly, it wasOn the Road.

I flipped through and read a little before setting it back where it was.

My pocket buzzed and I found another message from Tommy. I wrote back to him and asked him to drop the Jeep at the taproom instead of my place.

As I sent it off, I turned to find her in the hallway. Her hair was down, and the quick punch of awareness hit me like a sock full of nickels. “Damn.”

She grinned. “I don’t get to dress like a girl too often. Found this in the back of my closet.”

“Works for me.” I crossed to her, my gaze zeroed in on the deep scoop of the front of the dress. It was one of those dresses that put a man on his ass. But because it was Lennon, it was no sweet floral sundress.

No, this was a deep violet that was nearly black. It swung around her thighs and wasn’t form-fitting, but it still made me want to find out what was under it.

She had a little wrist thing that I supposed was her version of a purse and an overnight bag slung over her shoulder.

“How the hell am I supposed to keep my hands off you?”

She grinned up at me. “I mean, if you want to actually leave, you probably should. I do have a very comfortable bed. Not quite as big as yours.”

“Don’t tempt me.” I trailed my fingers along the scoop of her dress then to the half dozen necklaces that emphasized her exceptional tits. The shamrock was back, but the rest was a mix of chains in varying sizes with a tiny cross nearly lost in the tangle of gold. “You’re gorgeous.” I lowered my mouth to hers, the kiss soft and lingering.

“Thanks. You’re not bad yourself.”

“With my busted nose.”

She lifted a finger to trace the crooked line of it. “Adds character.” She backed away from me. “Now let’s get out of here.”

“I regret my choices.”

She threw a grin over her shoulder. “Good. If you’re making me go outside, then you should suffer a little.” The swish of her dress showed off that absolutely killer ass and the curve of her thighs. She wore strappy little sandals that showed off the green of her toenails.

I was willing to suffer and then some. I followed her out the door and took her bag from her as we got into the hall.

---