Page 36 of Champagne Kisses
"Seems like there's a story there." I grab her price scanner and walk us toward the check-out desk.
"I think we're done here. I'll give you all the gory details over lunch.
Maya's eyes flutter closed briefly after she swallows a small bite of shrimp linguini. She actually lets out a little hum of appreciation. Once again, spending time with Maya has me wishingI could be her next meal. Her sensual reactions to everything (from pasta to a tweak of her nipples) are a huge turn-on. I munch on my chicken caesar salad, watching her closely.
“So you’re one ofthoseguys, huh? That give the 'not looking for anything serious' speech?” I freeze, my fork halfway to my mouth. Although she’s teasing, I can see judgment in her eyes too.
I dared to hope we could leave the Candy drama back at Macy's when I made it through the appetizer unscathed. No such luck. I put down my fork and give a small shrug, feeling almost…ashamed(?) of my ability to get almost any woman in bed. That's a first.
“I used to be, I guess.”
“Oh yeah? When did you stop? Candy’s been trying to reach out.” She playfully swats my hand before taking a sip of her club soda. The suction of her full lips around the straw has me imagining something else and I adjust in my seat.
“June 28th,” I say quietly. Judging by her stunned silence, she remembers that’s the day we met. I look into her eyes meaningfully until we’re interrupted by the waiter. Weorder (gin & tonic for me and another club soda for her) and she breaks the tension by checking her phone.
"You're making me feel like quite the lush over here." She smiles warmly and puts down her phone.
"Sorry. I have to finish up some monogramed blankets for a corporate event and my needle work comes out crooked whenever I try to do it tipsy." I burst out laughing, covering my mouth with my napkin to keep from spitting my drink on her.
"Whenever you try to do it tipsy? That sounds like you've tried to do it quite a few times." She smiles bashfully and takes another bite of her lunch.
"I guess that's another perk of being a small business owner. You don't have to wait until after hours to have a drink."
"Unless you're doing monograms," I correct. She giggles softly and tucks in a loose loc that fell from her head wrap. I put my fork down and look at her directly.
“So…Are you finally going to tell me the real reason you left the other night?” She’s obviously startled. She must’ve thought I would let it drop after the phone sex. Nope.
“I told you,” she stammers. “It was just intense.” I consider this for a moment.
“Itwasintense. Intense and extremely hot.” Her skin is flushed and she takes a sip of water. “Tell me it wasn’t just me who wanted to continue…in person.” She looks away shyly and shakes her head.
“No. I wanted to stay.” I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.
“Then why did you ask to leave when I came back out? Be honest. I can tell you're not telling me something.” Her shoulders go rigid; she's clearly feeling defensive.
"We just met. How can you tell that?"Because I've felt strangely close to you ever since we met.I shrug again.
"I don't know. It's just a feeling…Am I wrong?" I take her hand in mine and feel her shiver.
"No. You're not wrong." I love that she doesn't bother trying to lie. Something tells me I would know if she did.
"So?" She’s silent for so long, I think she might not answer. I keep stroking her hand and she finally sighs.
“I was looking around your place. I know I shouldn’t have but…” She takes a deep breath and looks up to meet my eyes. “Looking at your pictures…and even today, meeting Candy…you definitely have atype. A type that looks nothing like me.” She looks down again. “If I’m being honest, it kinda threw me off.”
The waiter senses our uneasiness and quickly serves our drinks before retreating. I reach out to lift Maya’s chin until we’re eye to eye.
“Look. I admit a lot of the women I’ve hung out with have looked similar.” I swallow before continuing. “It was just…easier that way. They didn’t want anything serious and neither did I.” Maya tries to pull her hand away but I hold on tighter.
“I obviously don’t feel like that with you.” I’m relieved to see a small smile forming on her beautiful lips.
“So you want somethingseriouswith me, huh?” It’s my turn to blush now. I nervously clear my throat and start digging into my food. She giggles lightly and thankfully lets the subject drop.
Chapter eighteen
Maya
Mom and Dad are positively glowing with happiness. Rather than a banquet hall, they chose their backyard for an elegant anniversary soiree, complete with white twinkle lights, orchid flower arrangements, and a live band playing love songs from Al Green and Stevie Wonder. They descended the steps of their deck like royalty, and the new pastor at Union Temple Baptist Church helped them renew their vows for another forty years.
