Page 22 of Love and Other Trials
“You know it.” She started walking toward the back. “I’m curious about the blue fish.”
“No shock. Kin like a visit when you’re in town.”
“Har-de-har-har.” She stepped over a red plastic duckie protruding from the ground and pointed it out to Dax. “The fish must have happy hour back here. A few of the bars out this way put ducks like that in their drinks.”
“My kind of place.” When they reached the sign that said African cichlids, Dax set his hands on his trim hips. “Makes me think ofA Fish Called Wanda.”
“Classic film.” She spied the bluish bodies with the bluish purple tails along with the ones with the yellow heads and tails with a main color of bright blue. “One of those movies guaranteed to make you laugh even on a bad day.”
“They probably couldn’t make it now, what with Kevin Kline’s character eating pet fish to squeeze the confession out of the bad guy, but God, it’s hilarious stuff.” He peered into the tank, leaning over, making her aware of the muscles in his back when his shirt stretched with him.
Yum.
“My favorite is when Jamie Lee Curtis’ character informs Kevin Kline’s that the London Underground is not a resistance movement.”
“We should watch it tonight,” he suggested, standing up and sending her an inviting glance with a raised brow. “We can put your new wig on the TV to class up the joint. God, I still can’t believe they’re insisting you do something with your hair. It looks beautiful to me, if you don’t mind me saying.”
She had the girlish compulsion to lift her hand to the ends. “If I were in college, I’d suggest we play wig pong instead of beer pong, but I don’t drink like that anymore.”
“I love that idea! We could change what we play for.”
Kisses came to mind.Hang on, Ariel. Take it easy. Let things take their natural course.That they were going to kiss wasn’t in question for her. The only question was when. Would hanging around a fish tank be a good place for a first kiss? She wondered if the fish would jump out of the tank.
“Chocolate would work,” she said slowly. The mere thought of dark chocolate melting in her mouth along with Dax’s kisses was enough to heat her cheeks.
“I’m good with that.”
His gaze slid to her mouth, making her flush harder. When heat lit his gorgeous green eyes, she decided to call it out there. They were both staying through Sunday because Tiffany had wanted a post-wedding brunch. Today was Monday.
“Would you?—”
“Are you—” he asked at the same time.
She almost gave a girlish giggle. “You first.”
He leaned closer, so close she could feel his body heat. “I was going to say… Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” His voice was a touch deeper and a little gravelly in a way that made her belly tighten.
She liked that he was giving her the power to answer. They both had a job to do—neither of them wanted to screw it up. “That we might play for kisses?”
He moved a little closer, blocking the sun out with his height. Those heated eyes told her all she wanted to know and then some. He wanted her as much as she wanted him. “Might be the best game of my life. When is that wig appointment again?”
Her mouth went dry. “Two o’clock.”
“Too long.” He heaved out a sigh and stepped back. “I’ll be counting down the hours until we have that wig. You ready to head back?”
She put her hand on his chest hesitantly, desire pouring into her when his muscles leaped under her touch. God, he was built, and heaven help her, she loved strong men. “I think you’re right. Two o’clock sounds like next month right now.”
His luscious mouth tipped to the side in the sexiest smile on earth. He could have anything he wanted from her with that look. “We can’t have that, can we?”
He moved closer, pressing his hand lightly on her waist. She lifted onto her tiptoes—because he was so much taller—and loved watching his head descend, his gaze never leaving hers.
Sherlock gave a staccato of warning barks out of nowhere. She came back down on her heels immediately. “Something’s wrong.”
Dax went on alert. They both looked around.
And then she heard the slither…
She froze. That sound was one she knew from childhood. Putting a hand on Dax’s arm, she felt the tension in his muscles. “Gator.”
