Page 19 of So Wrong, It's Wright
“It’s because they think he has a giant cock,” I state, remembering our conversation at the wedding.
Ruby coughs and almost sprays her wine all over me, thankfully only getting a little on her chin. “Oh my god.” She laughs slightly and wipes at her chin. “Why would they think that? I mean…did they see? Does he?” Her eyes widen. “You saw it, right? How big are we talking?”
“I didn’t see it,” I say in a rush. “I only felt it.”
She leans in. “Well then, how did itfeel?”
I’m trying to gesture with my hands about the size and girth—something one wouldonlyever do with their best friend—when Tanner saunters in, followed by none other than the man with the member I’m miming.
“Ahhh. What are you two doing?” Tanner asks, amusement teasing his lips as he looks between a scarlet-faced Ruby and me. I drop my hands to my side and try desperately not to make eye contact.
“Eggplants!” Ruby yells.
Tanner’s brow tightens. “Eggplants?”
“Yeah. Tahls was just telling me that one of her co-workers is growing an eggplant on their balcony and they grew huge. Right, Tahlia?”
“Ah, yeah. Huge.” I lift my hands and gesture again, dying a little inside as Tanner looks between us then back to Ash dubiously. Ash looks like he doesn’t know what to think.
“We should try it, honey.”
“You want to grow eggplant?” Tanner asks, disbelief in every pore.
“Sure! Let me show you where.” She hooks her arm in Tanner’s and leads him right out of the kitchen, rambling about all the things they could make with their own vegetable patch.
Her voice drifts away. And that just leaves Ash and me alone.
"She really likes eggplant, huh?" Ash says quietly, his hands in his pockets as he stays a couple of steps back like he's a little kid in trouble or something.
I smile slightly and press the heels of my hands against the edge of the counter. "Babies change you, I guess," I say back, my eyes dragging over his body, admiring the fit of his obviously bespoke suit even though he's lost the jacket and tie from before. But he's got his sleeves rolled up and a couple of buttons undone, so in my books, he’s looking even better. Something about those strong forearms and big hands…
"I guess so," he says, taking a trepidatious step forward before he sucks in a breath. "I can't help but think you've been avoiding me ever since the church.”
My heart speeds up at his nearness, along with my breathing. "I don't know if ‘avoiding’ is really the right word, ‘taking a little alone time’ might be a better fit.”
"Anything I can help you with?" he asks, taking yet another step closer. Now my nether region is tingling. "I'm told I'm a fairly good listener."
I have to tilt my head back just so I can maintain eye contact as he reaches me and places a hand on the counter next to me, smiling like he’s the sun and I’m the little flower that follows him wherever he moves. "I don't know if you can help with this problem. Now that I think about it, it will sound silly if I say it out loud."
"Hmm.” He tilts his head, thinking for a moment. “Then how about I talk for you?”
“You can try.” I look at him through my lashes as a smile takes over my face. This is either going to be touching or a train wreck. And I’m really hoping for the former.
“This is about what you overheard outside the church, right?"
I bounce the shoulder as my gaze drops to my feet. He’s hitting the nail on the head. "Maybe."
"I’m sorry you heard that. But I need you to know that I'm not the kind of man who talks about the women I'm dating. I'm also not the kind of man who flies into town once a month with the expectation that the gorgeous girl I can’t stop thinking about is going to invite me into her bed. So, if another man questions me about those things, I will downplay it until he stops because as far as I'm concerned, what goes on between you and me is between you and me. Nobody else. Does that clear things up for you?"
"Yes," I practically whisper as my eyes fly up to his and my knees go a little weak. “I guess that means I should, um, keep the eggplant talk to a minimum then?”
He grins and nods while he searches my eyes. “I’d appreciate that. Especially since you’re the only person I’m interested in showing my…eggplantto.” I giggle up at him. He's so damn sexy when he talks like this. It's like he knows exactly what he wants, and he's not willing to bend or sway for anyone in this world. I like how sure he is. But mostly, I love the way he makes me feel—nervous but wanted. It’s an intoxicating mix.
"I thought maybe I misunderstood what tonight was supposed to be."
He grins. "What did you think tonight was going to be?"
My cheeks heat as I smile and look away. "Now you have me feeling like I can't say or I’ll look foolish."
