Page 95 of Bossy Hero

He gives me a tiny nudge after a few moments. “Hey, how about we take our dinner to go?”

Pulling back a few inches, I stiffen and glance around the restaurant. “Sorry for causing a scene. I’m okay.”

Instead of letting me withdraw from his arms, he gives me just enough space so I don’t feel trapped. “You aren’t causing a scene. And even if you were, I wouldn’t give a damn.”

I offer him a tight-lipped smile.

He must assume I don’t believe him because he adds, “I’m serious, Maddie. I wasn’t suggesting we leave for any reason besides wanting to be alone with you to talk it out.”

One corner of my mouth curves. “You had me atgetting me alone. But you lost me attalking it out.”

His lethal smile returns, sending a shot of warmth through my body. “You know I always reward you for opening up to me.”

Butterflies take flight in my stomach and someplace slightly lower. “Fair point. Let’s take it to go.”

After placing a quick peck on my lips, he waves down Jeremy, gets the boxes, and pays the bill. As per tradition, he refuses to let me pay or even cover the tip.

A few minutes later, we exit the restaurant hand in hand.

See? I’m not ashamed of him.

What an absurd notion.

If anything, he should be ashamed to be seen with me. A frumpy fifty-six-year-old with a bad back and a mortgage she’ll never pay off. While he’s every bit the successful business owner and a former special ops soldier. He’s got more money in his bank account than I make in a year, exercises every day, has biceps that could split a watermelon, and a jawline that probably could as well.

What the hell does he see in me?

As we pass by the hostess, I wave at her. “Take care, Jean. We’ll see you next time.”

She waves back. “Bye, Maddie. Have a great night.”

Such a sweet kid. I hope she does well at college next semester.

Alan arches a brow at me, and his grin eases into a sultry smile. One guaranteed to drop my panties.

Once we’re out the front door, I ask him, “What’s that look for?”

Rather than answering, he scans the parking lot, then ducks me behind a large brick post in front of a vacant hair salon.

And in relative privacy, he presses me against the wall and joins our mouths in a sudden kiss. His velvety tongue swipes against the seam of my lips, coaxing them open.

A small gasp of surprise escapes me. His strong hands roam over my body, settling on my hips. Almost instantly, I get lost in the moment.

Lost in him.

When he kisses me, arousal and euphoria bloom to life. I thought those sensations died years ago. I never thought I’d desire another man.

But one taste ofthisman is all it took for me to become famished. And that’s exactly what’s happening now.

My core tightens, and my pulse spikes fervently. I’m unable to stifle a moan, but he captures it in his mouth. And damn if it doesn’t make him kiss me harder.

I break away, reluctantly needing oxygen. He literally kissed me breathless.

“What was that for?” I rasp, my chest heaving.

“Because you’re amazing, and I couldn’t keep my lips off you for another second.”

I’m quick to deny his praise with a headshake and a hearty eye roll. “Oh, please.”

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