Page 39 of Unexpected Kisses

The heat from the sidewalk radiates up and I wish I’d left my hair up in a ponytail. I don’t even have an elastic handy on my wrist. “The place doesn’t look all that great, but the food is authentic and the guys get it to you fast.”

AJ nods as we step inside and once my eyes adjust, I mentally pat myself on the back. The place is packed, but I notice there are two empty stools down the back. I point toward them and we make our way through the busy hole in the wall. I can’t possibly confuse this with a date. It’ll be just like me and Mel grabbing something to eat. I should be able to keep myself in check.

“What’s good here?” AJ asks as he sits.

I tuck my hair behind my ear and sit. “Everything. I promise you can’t go wrong. The serving sizes are generous too.”

“What do you usually get?”

“I usually get the chicken burrito on the spinach wrap. If you want to order yours, I’ll hold our seats, then I’ll order when you get back.” If I pay for my dinner, it’s definitely not a date. Right?

He nods. “Sure.” I watch him walk toward the counter, admiring his broad shoulders which taper into narrow hips. The man is certainly built without being bulky. He glances at me and I quickly look away, hoping he didn’t catch me staring at him.

I feel him, rather than see him sit back down. “I’ve ordered for you, but I wasn’t sure what you’d like to drink, so I grabbed you a Mountain Dew. Hope that’s okay.”

“That’s fine. Thank you. I was going to order mine.”

He studies me closely and I have to stop myself from squirming under his gaze. “It’s not a problem. You’ve been feeding me this week. It’s the least I could do.”

“I’m feeding you because it’s the leastIcan do since you’re donating for the cause and all.” I chuckle softly.

AJ’s name is called over the speaker system and he collects our food and drinks, bringing them back to our seats. It smells delicious and my stomach growls in response. AJ peels away the foil, and I watch him closely as he takes his first bite. His eyes drop closed and a deep moan escapes as the flavors burst on his tongue. I watch him chew and swallow, paying close attention to the bobbing of his Adam’s apple.

Why is a guy’s Adam’s apple so damn sexy? Actually, everything about AJ is sexy. I can’t believe the guy’s single. There has to be a catch.

“Sarah! This is incredible. The flavors …” He mimes a chef’s kiss. “So damn good. Thank you for bringing me here.”

I smile as I unwrap my burrito. “You’re welcome. I come here with Max sometimes.”

We both get stuck into our meals, barely speaking until we each take our last bite. “That was so good. I’m going to have to bring Dylan here. He’ll love this place.”

The place was busy when we arrived, but it’s crazy now. “We should probably head out and let someone else have our seats.”

“Sure.” AJ helps me down from my stool and we make our way outside where it’s slightly cooler after being crammed into the small restaurant.

I force myself to relax as we stroll back to my place hand in hand. This time I try not to think about how right it feels to be this close to him, holding his hand in mine, heading home so we can work on my dream. This will be our sixth time doing this and I don’t think I feel any less awkward about it.

“You’re quiet.” AJ breaks into my thoughts.

I glance up at him, then quickly turn my eyes forward again. “Just mentally running through what we’re going to do when we get back to my place.”Oh God, Sarah! Really?

He squeezes my hand. “Hopefully, in a couple of weeks, you’ll know if it’s worked or not.”

“Hopefully.” Sadness swiftly fills my body with the thought of not seeing AJ again. He said he wanted to stay friends, but what does that really mean? I’ll be busy getting fat with a baby and then I’ll be busy looking after said baby. I can’t imagine an attractive, single guy wanting to ‘be friends’ then. I should be filled with happiness at the thought of our efforts coming to fruition this month, not sad. This is something I’ve wanted for what feels like my entire life.

When we approach my building, AJ releases my hand to open and hold the door for me, his hand then taking up residence on my lower back again as we make our way to the elevator. The butterflies in my stomach have taken flight and I remind myself to take proper breaths as we wait for it to arrive.

We’re both quiet as we make our way upstairs, lost in our thoughts. When we get inside my apartment, AJ stiffly thumbs over his shoulder toward the bathroom. “I guess I’ll get started. Are the collection condoms still under the vanity?”

“Uh, yeah.”

He nods and backs away from me toward the bathroom and closes the door behind him without another word spoken between us. I wonder what he does to get himself worked up. Does he have Pornhub loaded on his phone ready to go? Or is there someone he thinks about? An ex-girlfriend who got away? My heart clenches at the thought of him pining for someone.

I need to keep busy, so I wash my hands and start where I left off with Kenny’s cake. It’s almost finished, I just need to work on Black Widow’s cuffs and belt. She’s looking great so far. The cuffs are easy enough to make, I roll the gray icing flat and cut the appropriate lengths, adding the detail and setting each one on her arms. This is good. I’m not thinking about AJ and his strong hand stroking his cock while I’m doing this. Good one, Sarah, now I’m thinking about it again. I drop my head back in frustration, rolling my eyes at the ceiling. I’m hopeless. Really, I am. I chuckle a little at myself.

“What’s so funny?” I startle at AJ’s voice right behind me. I didn’t even hear the bathroom door open.

“Wow, you were quick.” I blush when I realize how that sounded. “Sorry. I’m sure you last longer when you’re doing the real thing.” I snap my mouth closed because that was even worse.

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