Page 14 of Sunflowers and Surrender

We’ve barely taken our seats before a server is at our side. “What can I get you?” he practically yells over the rumbling hip-hop song.

“Whatcha want, Sunny T?”

“I dunno. I want to try something new. How about a mudslide?”

“Nice choice,” the waiter answers with a wink.Watch it, bucko.

“I’ll just have a water.”

The server walks away, and Tuesday blurts, “What?” She looks offended.

“I’m driving, babe.”

She covers her mouth with her hand and giggles, and the sound travels right to my dick. I can’t help but grin as she looks about the club, her face aglow with the flashing lights overhead. But it could honestly be her. There’s a luminosity about this beautiful, sweet girl.

The server returns quickly with our drinks, and I sit back, enjoying the sight of Tuesday tasting her next concoction. Her face becomes animated as the cool cocktail hits her lips. Her tongue darts out, running along her lower lip, and I have to reach down to readjust my pants. I’d give anything to taste those plump lips. Dip my tongue into her mouth and lose myself in her.

“Want some?” she asks, her voice a little raspy.

“Yes,” I answer before I realize what I’m saying. I reach for her drink, having no interest in chocolate in a glass but needing to follow this through so she doesn’t question what I really want to taste. Bringing it to my lips, I take a small sip before sliding it back to her. “Delicious.”

Tuesday suddenly sits up taller in her chair and bounces as the song changes to an eighties dance number. “Oh, Alex, please? Don’t make me dance by myself,” she pleads. That’s the problem. She won’t be. This stunner won’t be out there a hot minute before someone slides in, hoping to keep her company.

“Okay, okay.”

“Oh, yay!” She squeals. She reaches for my hand, dragging me into the center of the heap of warm bodies dancing to the popular song before it changes to an upbeat Andy Grammer song. Tuesday is in her element. A wide smile has permanently taken up residence on my face as I watch her. She dances with a look of glee I’ve never seen on her before. And that’s saying something, given she’s the most joy-filled girl I know. Her mesmerizing green eyes dance with delight as the song changes, and she begins gyrating her curvy body to “THAT’S WHAT I WANT” by Lil Naz X. I instinctively place my hands on her tantalizing hips as we get caught up in the chorus and move to the upbeat song.

With each passing tune, I fall a little more under her spell. I’d normally be running for the table, having done my duty dancing with her for a couple of numbers as requested. But the thought of having to pull away from her keeps my feet rooted to this dance floor.

“Alex,” Tuesday says in a swoony tone as she grabs my shirt and pulls me into her.

“Yeah, baby?”

“This has been the best night of my life.” The radiant spark emanating from her has short-circuited my mind. Any resolve I had left is gone.

I cup her angelic face and crush my lips over hers. The instant heat that spreads from her sweet mouth has me coming undone. I tease her lips with the tip of my tongue, begging for entrance. Once inside, it’s impossible to know whether the moans I hear are coming from her or me. I can feel the current as the glide of her playful tongue connects with mine all the way down my spine. I pull her closer, enjoying the feel of her body engulfed by mine, and pray I can neutralize the electricity building between us.

Yet any hope of fighting this is pointless. No kiss has ever felt like this. All that came before was merely a means to an end. Foreplay to get what I really wanted. But this kiss with Tuesday. It’s intoxicating. She tastes of chocolate, sunshine, and surrender.

I could spend eternity kissing this sweet girl.

This sweet, forbidden girl.

Chapter 11

Tuesday

The best night of my life is followed by the longest day I can remember. Alex walked me to my stateroom after the kiss of all kisses. I didn’t want to ruin how magical the whole evening had been with an uncomfortable conversation about what it meant. But apparently, it meant nothing, as what little I saw of him today was aloof and uncomfortable.

Ainsley was by his side during much of the day, so I made excuses to find things to do elsewhere. It was too painful to see them together and try to pretend last night didn’t happen.

Sure, I am somewhat to blame. I knew he wasn’t available and let my mind and body go there anyway. The way we danced was inappropriate, but after all the years of pining for him, I couldn’t stop myself. I’d honestly never been happier. It was silly to think any of it was real.

But I can’t blame his behavior on too much alcohol. I was the one who’d been drinking all evening. He was only drinking water. And he’s always been so quick to keep his distance. The only time there was any question was the morning I woke up in his arms. Yet he made it painfully clear what happened was platonic.

But that kiss. There’s no faking something like that. Is there?

Does Alex Bell kiss everyone that way?

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