Page 27 of Peak of Love
When she entered one of the gender-neutral bathrooms, he slipped right behind her. Celina jumped in shock as Dane locked them in.
“What the hell are you doing?”
“Are you mad at me?”
She lifted her arms in the universal gesture of exasperation. “Yeah, Dane! You can’t follow me on a date and then trap me in a bathroom. Jesus, if I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were… ” She stopped abruptly. “You need to go.”
“You’d think I was what?” he rasped his foolish, reckless question.
“Why are you acting like this? It’s really confusing me.” She licked her lower lip nervously. Dane stifled the need to run his thumb over her moistened pout. Instead, he concentrated on explaining exactly why he thought it was a good idea to lock them in a public bathroom after spying on her.
Whywashe acting like this?
“I, um, I needed to know that you’re not pissed at me.”
Shaking her head, Celina reached over to unlock the door. “Leave, Dane. I’m not pissed. Or at least nottoopissed. But you need to leave right now.”
As she retracted her outstretched arm, Celina’s hand grazed his side. Dane grasped her wrist and pressed her hand against his chest. The contact made him heady. Her lids fluttered. After weeks of curt phone calls and unsatisfying dreams, having her in front of him felt incredible. Her pulse against his heart, their panting breaths mingling, her moist lips so temptingly close.
“Have the boys met him? Ben?” He knew it was the wrong thing to say the second he said it. The words left a nasty taste in his mouth.
“That’s none of your business.” Her eyes were alight when she used her hand to push away from him.
She was getting mad and heaven help Dane, he was thrilled with this reaction, too. Even anger proved infinitely better than being dismissed. Dane realized, with absolute clarity, that he was damn well enjoying himself.
In a public bathroom on a Friday night with Celina glaring at him, he didn’t want to be anywhere else.
Wrangling a reasonable excuse for his inexcusable behavior, he declared, “I’m seeing the boys tomorrow. We made plans and I need to know what they know.”
That explanation appeased some of her annoyance. “No, I haven’t had Ben pick me up at home. We’ve been talking on the phone before finally meeting last weekend. This is our second date.”
“Is there going to be a third?”
“Not if he finds you in the bathroom with me! Get out, Dane.”
“OK, I’m leaving,” he muttered while relishing a surge of relief that Ben hadn’t met the twins. Wasn’t even good enough to pick her up at her house. Wherehewas heading.
“I’ll see you at home.” He slipped out and heard her curse after him. Dane strode out of the restaurant without a glance at the woman who watched him leave a still-occupied bathroom. Without a glance at Ben, for that matter.
Soon, he was letting himself into Celina’s house with his key. He paid the babysitter with a hefty tip. The boys, who were about to go to sleep, got hyper-wired at seeing him. Which was why, when Celina came in a while later, they were drinking the hot chocolate Dane made to bribe them to go to sleep.
“Uncle Dane’s gonna tuck us in tonight,” Jerome stated as he pecked his mom’s cheek.
It was impossible for Dane to look away when she gave each boy a kiss at the top of their heads. His heart could barely take the tenderness of their private moment.
“Are you coming with us tomorrow, Mom?” Jonas asked, still hugging Celina.
“Where are you guys goingafter soccer?” she asked pointedly.
“Grilled Goose!” Jonas announced.
Celina released an indignant snort.
“C’mon, boys! Let’s get you to bed,” Dane interjected quickly, taking a jump start up the stairs.
He didn’t have to look to know that Celina’s expression would be mildly amused and a lot suspicious.
“Nice dress,” he stated as he descended the stairs.
