Page 46 of Rules Of Engagement: St. Louis
My nipples hardened and I fought a smile but could still feel my face brighten. I pushed my cart forward, needing something to do with my hands. “You were pretty good with Mr. Cheerios yourself.”
“Mr. Cheerios?”
“The gentleman you helped. What was his wife’s name? Helen?”
Christian nodded, falling into step beside me as I moved toward the avocados. “Fifty-eight years of marriage. Can you imagine?”
“My parents are working on forty-four years. Sometimes I watch them and wonder what that must feel like.”
“What, what, must feel like?”
I picked up an avocado, testing its ripeness with my thumb. “Being so sure of someone that you build a whole life around them. Trusting that they’ll still be there when you wake up every morning.”
A tingle of heat slid down my throat. This was the type of conversation I usually avoided. It opened doors in my mind and made me wrestle with thoughts I didn’t need.
“You don’t think that’s possible?” Christian asked quietly.
I set down the avocado and picked up another one, buying myself time. “I think it’s possible for some people. People who know better than I do.”
“Or maybe people who are just brave enough to give love a chance.”
Our eyes met across the produce display, and something passed between us that felt too intimate for a grocery store. I could see understanding in his expression and sympathy and desire that made my pulse quicken.
“These avocados are perfect,” I said, desperately needing to change the subject.
“Oh come on, don’t change the subject like that on me.”
I sighed. “People who want love and relationships are thrill seekers. And I’m sure you know by now I’m not.”
“I beg to differ.” He eased closer to me, his cologne rising to my nostrils as his nearness made my pussy thump. “When you rode this dick, you were a thrill seeker. You don’t agree?”
My mouth parted and warmth stirred my soul. “Oh… you want to get fucked in the produce section, do you?”
His face was transformed into a gorgeous, naughty grin. “Next time. This time, I’m trying to offer you a lifelong thrill ride.”
He grabbed my hand and laid it cross his heart. “You feel me?”
I sucked in a breath. “Christian… I can’t,” I said.
“Why can’t you?”
My heart rate intensified. “Please. Take that answer for what it is.”
Disappointment reshuffled his features. “Right,” he nodded. “Of course.”
We lingered there for another moment, both of us seeming reluctant to move.
“I should let you finish your shopping,” Christian said.
“Yeah, me too. I mean, you, too. You should finish yours.”
He smiled at my stumbling words. “Have a good rest of your weekend, Naomi.”
“You too.”
I watched him walk away, admiring the way his jeans fit his body and the confident stride that carried him down the aisle. When he disappeared around the corner, I realized I was still holding the avocado he’d touched, and I had to resist the urge to press it against my cheek like a lovesick teenager.
“Get it together, Naomi,” I muttered to myself, but I couldn’t shake the warmth that had settled over me.
